The third-season runner-up of the coveted “American Idol” crown, Diana DeGarmo is an immensely talented singer who has received raves from theatre critics for her recent efforts in Broadway productions. Currently polishing her second album, the 19-year-old singer is looking forward to years of success.
Born June 16, 1987 in Birmingham, Alabama but raised outside of Atlanta, Georgia, DeGarmo began flexing her powerful vocal chords at a young age. A popular singer at local events, the young DeGarmo sang at the 1997 Georgia Music Hall of Fame Awards, and appeared in professional regional stage productions including “Annie” and “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.” DeGarmo was also a ‘Coca-Cola Kid’ at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, earned the Miss Teen Georgia title in 2002, and was a competitive contestant on the NBC program “America’s Most Talented Kid.”
DeGarmo was a favorite on the third season of “American Idol,” and was ultimately the runner-up to winner Fantasia Barrino. Judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Simon Cowell had a lot on their plate in the notorious third season, which saw a host of controversies including the early shock ouster of “Dreamgirls” star Jennifer Hudson. DeGarmo narrowly lost to Barrino, and released her debut album “Blue Skies” on December 7, 2004. The album sold poorly despite DeGarmo’s popularity, largely due to RCA’s miniscule promotion. Regardless, DeGarmo’s acting talents haven’t diminished, and since “Idol” she has appeared in a regional San Jose production of “West Side Story” in addition to taking on the role of Penny Pingleton in Broadway’s popular “Hairspray.” Though her run ended in May 2006, she is currently reprising the role after the success and ecstatic reviews of her initial run. Between “Hairspray” runs DeGarmo toured in the lead role of “Brooklyn, the Musical.”