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Since March 2003
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Chat Moderator: Welcome to the American Idol live chat, hosted by Bolt! Today's chat is with Kimberly Caldwell. Hi Kimberly!
Idolchicka04: Hi Kim! What was it like to live in the mansion? Who was your roommate?
WeezlyHobbit: Hi, Kimberly! Who or what inspired you to start singing?
Kimberly Caldwell: I had four roommates. It was me, Julia, Trenyce and Kim L. And when Julia was eliminated, Carmen moved upstairs (after she turned 18 and her mom moved out). It was incredible living in the mansion!
Kimberly Caldwell: Hi! When I was 5 years old, I saw Randy Travis and knew that I wanted to perform somehow. I entered a beauty pageant, told my mom I wanted to do the talent category. And she said, "I don't think you have the talent!" But I went up there anyway and I won first place! And I've continued ever since, from there.
RideTheCaliWave: I totally love you Kimberly, and just like most fans I was upset to see you go. Have you been given any offers for a record deal, or is there a certain amount of time that has to pass before that can happen?
Kimberly Caldwell: Don't be upset, because it's just the beginning for me, and I have to finish with American Idol, and hopefully some doors will open, and I'll go from there!
marbslovesAI: Kimberly, you always said you'd keep your comments to yourself. Why is that?
Kimberly Caldwell: Oooh. This is a first-time question for me. I like to keep my comments to myself because, um, I don't know! Because sometimes it's better left unsaid.
JillyBeanz45131: Kimberly, you are beautiful, and when you were voted off you handled yourself with such class. You were always pleasure to watch. Would you do anything differently if you had to go through the American Idol experience one more time?
Kimberly Caldwell: Hello Jillybean, you're such a sweetheart! Thank you so much for all the love. If I could go back and do it again, I wouldn't change a thing. It's a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I hope to continue doing what I do.
Justin_s_girl: Hi Kimberly! I was so sad to see you go. You were one of my favorite contestants. I love how you're always smiling! Could you please tell me how you and the rest of the American Idol contestants were able to deal with all the pressure of having to perform LIVE every week and practice SO much? It has to be a huge change from your "old" way of life. How do you deal?!
Kimberly Caldwell: It was definitely overwhelming at first, and I think we all handled it differently, in our own way. But just knowing that I wanted this since I was 5 years old, made me strive even harder to do the best of my ability. You almost get immune, performing in front of millions of people each week, because it's what you gotta do to get where you want to be.
ruben_lover: Hi Kimberly... I thought you were great! Do you or any of your fellow contestants read the AI message boards?
Kimberly Caldwell: Hey ruben_lover, I'm a Ruben lover too! I'm really pulling for him. Sometimes a couple of the contestants would read the boards, but there was a lot of negativity, and I only like to deal with the positive aspects. I never ever read the message boards. You can't please everybody.
ora.engler: Some of last year’s contestants have started acting. Would you ever consider having an acting career as well?
Kimberly Caldwell: Of course! I not only want to continue singing, I also want to get into the acting business as well. I want to maybe be in a sitcom or a movie. It's definitely a goal I have, to be an actress as well.
Hanawalt: Hi Kimberly, I just loved you on the show and I'm sure you'll go far. My question is: what was the hardest part about being on the show?
Kimberly Caldwell: Hey Hanawalt, I love you too. The hardest part was not being able to spend any time with your family and friends. We were busy all the time, but you have to put that aside momentarily to get further along in your career.
Craz-e-kat: What do you think the judges look for in an American Idol?
Kimberly Caldwell: Hey Craz-e-kat, I think that the judges are looking for the whole package: personality, image, voice, and the ability to go out and capture an audience. And I think that the top 6 offer those qualities.
sweet_dreamer04: Hey Kimberly! I enjoyed each and every one of your performances, and I think you are very talented. What was your favorite song to perform?
Kimberly Caldwell: I think all of my performances were fun and exciting, and an adrenaline rush to get up in front of millions of people and perform!
Kimberly Caldwell: I really had fun with "Knock on Wood."
CLAYFANFORLIFE: How did your Star Search experience compare to AI?
Kimberly Caldwell: Not even close! (laughs) Star Search was an incredible experience, but I was only 11 at the time, so I didn't realize what really was going on in the entertainment business. I did win 5 times on Star Search, but this has been such an amazing experience, and I've been able to soak it up and learn so much from everything around me. And it's taught me more than I thought I could've learned from a reality TV show.
nvrbfamous13: Hi Kim, I am aspiring to be a singer just like you! What would advice do you have for hopefuls like me?
Kimberly Caldwell: Never say never, nvrbfamous! If you get your mind set, confidence will lead you on. If you can believe it will happen, it'll happen. Strive for your dreams! Believe in yourself, and don't let any negativity get you down. Promise me that.
HylianLink: You were my absolute favorite out of the bunch. You always lit up the cameras. Were you at all nervous up there, or did it just come naturally?
Kimberly Caldwell: Since I've been doing this for so long, I think I've had an advantage. That said, before I went on, my knees would start shaking. I'd just take a few deep breaths before going out there.
AriannaErin82: Hi Kim, I want to wish you lots of luck in whatever you do next, I know you'll be great! I wanted to know if you ever visit any of your fansites online?
Kimberly Caldwell: I was born in 1982! I try to visit any fan sites that I'm aware of! They've all been so incredible -- I've almost had tears in my eyes when I'm looking at them. I can't believe someone would take time out of their schedules to make these elaborate fan sites for me. I definitely go through each and every fan site that I know about.
AbdulFan: Hi Kim... I wanted to tell you I voted for you all along! I was wondering, who are some of your role models?
Kimberly Caldwell: Well, just like you, I'm also a Paula Abdul fan. My role models include Faith Hill, and they stretch all the way to Eminem. But my American Idols are the Top 12.
Kimberly Caldwell: I have so many spectacular moments on American Idol! I don't know if I could only pick one. But I loved walking the red carpet. I loved the show days -- Tuesdays, where you actually get out there and sing. I hated Wednesdays more than anything, because I knew one of us was going home.
sallysallysally: Hi Kim! How was being on American Idol different than you expected it to be?
Kimberly Caldwell: Hey sally, I played Mustang Sally for the Ford commercial. I knew that we'd have a hectic schedule, but I could never have imagined it would be as hectic as it really was, even waking up at 6 in the morning. I'm so glad I got to have this experience and I wouldn't have changed a thing!
melissa1706: Do you believe your image as portrayed on TV was different from the real you?
Kimberly Caldwell: No, not at all. Why would I ever try to be somebody that I'm not?
KimCsGr8: Kim, I think you were by far the best, and I look forward to seeing and hearing much more of you in the future. I think your voice has definite elements of rock, country, jazz, and blues in it. If you had to pick one of these genres to establish a career in, which would you choose?
Kimberly Caldwell: Hey KimCsGr8! What a cool name! (laughs) I don't know if I could actually pick one, because I want to expand my horizons, and do a little bit of everything.
RandomVixen: Kimberly, who's your favorite judge?
Kimberly Caldwell: I love them all in a different way! Randy because he's my dawg! He's the reason why I could be in the Top 7. I love Paula because she was so sweet and kind and genuinely cared about all of us. And hey, I even love Simon, because he's honest...most of the time.
KimberlyCAI: I think you are a really great singer. Will there be other chances besides this for fans to talk to you, and do you have plans for appearances?
Kimberly Caldwell: I really wish that I could get in contact with more of my fans, but it's a busy schedule and I have so much going on right now. I haven't really had any time to reach out to those who have supported me. Thank you so much for all your love and support, and hopefully one day I'll get to meet you!
WeezlyHobbit: Kimberly, how well do you get along with the other contestants on American Idol? Are you especially close to any one of them?
Kimberly Caldwell: We are all like one big family. We all got along really well, we all had our own relationships with each other, individually. I really got along with Julia and Trenyce, and that's why it was so sad to see Julia go because we were like the three amigos. But I wish the best to both of them. And, Julia's gonna come visit me while I'm in New York!
liveandlaugh: What is the funniest moment you remember from living with everyone in the mansion?
Kimberly Caldwell: Living and laughing! Gosh, I don't know. We had a lot of funny things that happened...and there are some things that I can't tell. Probably when we all got miniature AI instruments, and Ruben sat behind the drum set!
miss.yvonne: Hi Kim, have you ever had any formal training or do you just sing on your own?
Kimberly Caldwell: I have never had formal training, maybe a couple lessons here and there. My mom has always been my vocal coach, and my biggest fan. She's been my most vocal critic, and picked up the things that needed fine-tuning.
KimCaldwell_Rox: Are you planning to move out to L.A to start your career, or will you be staying in Texas?
Kimberly Caldwell: Well, KimCaldwell_Rox, thank you so much for your screenname, how cool is that! I think that I'm gonna go back to Houston for a while, to hang out with my friends and family, and get back to reality for a moment. Once I get financially stable, I think I'm gonna go out to L.A., because that's where JD is.
ora.engler: What artists would you like to work with in the future?
Kimberly Caldwell: I admire anybody in the biz who is pursuing their dream, because that's where I want to be. Any offers that come my way, I'd be more than willing to work with any of them. I'd love to work with country artists, as well as R&B artists, as well as rock artists...and maybe even a little bit of rap.
Chat Moderator: Do you have any parting words for your fans?
Kimberly Caldwell: I wish that I could answer every question that's out there from you guys, but they put me on a strict time schedule :). Thank you so much for supporting me. I could not have done this without you. You have kept me living, you have kept me dreaming. I am constantly going to the fan sites to see what's new out there, and if I'm ever down, I look to you and the fan sites to see all your love. I appreciate everything that you do more than you know. And I hope that one day, I'll be able to meet you. Please don't let the negative aspects get you down. If you do, just rememeber that God is watching over you. Believe in yourself, be comfortable in your own skin, and love those around you. I love you all!
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