Click here to hear Kimberly's music. The player will open in a new window.
Since March 2003
Best Viewed @
1024x768 resolution
Designed by Kristin
Photos from Michael Antonio
online
Bookmark Site
|
Well, Kimberly Caldwell sung her way into all our hearts with "Superstition" in January of 2003. The American Idol experience was an interesting one for Kimberly. After the problems she had with Julia DeMato in Hollywood, she made her way confidently into the final 32. However, even after a great performance of Melissa Etheridge's "Come to my Window", it all seemed to be over for her when she didn't make it through to the final 10. But all was not lost. The wildcard week was a turning point for Kimberly – she sailed into the final 12 and went on to give us many great performances. Unfortunately her performance of Billy Joel's "Still Rock 'n' Roll to me" wasn't enough to keep her in the competition and she left the show in April last year, coming an amazing seventh out of the 70,000 people who applied for the show. Since then we've seen her promoting the Idols fragrance and even appearing as entertainment correspondent for the Fox Sport's Channel's "54321". We caught up with her just before the holidays to find out what else she's been up to since American Idol as well as getting her views on World Idol, American Idol 3, the Official American Idol Game AND her love life...
When will your CD be coming out?
I am currently working with Randy Jackson and Diane Warren and I am beyond excited to be involved with these AMAZING people! I'll keep you posted as it progresses!
When are you likely to do a concert tour? And where?
Hopefully, a concert tour will be following a CD release. Again, I'll have to keep you posted on that!
Will you be watching World Idol?
Absolutely!
Who will you be supporting?
Kelly, of course! I don’t think Ruben is competing in it, or then I'd have to support both Kelly and Ruben!
Are you single? If not who is your significant other?
Yes, I'm single. I really want to take this time in my life to focus on my goals and dreams. I'm always looking, though!
Travis Tritt's "Anymore" was a daring choice of material for you on Country Rock night, and you pulled it off just beautifully. What influenced you to choose that song?
I grew up singing country music and that was one of my favorite songs to perform when I was younger.
We know that you've been entertainment correspondent for "54321" on the Fox Sports Channel – is this a career path you would want to undertake if your musical work doesn't pan out as you would want? Would you ever consider it instead of your music career?
Working on "54321" has been an absolute blast! I really loved being on the other end of the microphone! This is definitely something I'd like to continue doing, but I don't think that I would say I would consider it instead of a music career. Heck, I want to do it ALL! Music, TV, movies, and whatever else comes along, and all at the same time!
Have you seen the American Idol Video Game?
Of course!
Have you played it?
Of course!
What do you think of it?
I think the game is fantastic! My sister and I had a bunch of fun playing it when she visited me recently. For me, the most fun is "styling" your idol!
Is it an accurate representation of the show?
I think it kind of gives the player an idea of what it's really like to be there.
How do the virtual judges match up to the real thing, especially Simon?
Their responses are pretty close to what you really hear from the real thing.
Will you be watching American Idol 3?
Absolutely!
Do you have any predictions for the series?
I'm not sure what you're asking here. I, of course, don't have any predictions for American Idol 3 as far as the outcome. But as far as predictions for the series, I'm sure that the upcoming third season will be just as big of a success as seasons one and two.
Have you any advice for the contestants of the third series?
The best advice is to stay true to yourself and who you are. You just have to get out there and do the best you can at any given moment.
Is there anything that you would recommend that they don't do?
Again, be true to yourself and don't try to be something you're not. The inner confidence that you get from truly believing in yourself will always shine through.
If you could do anything throughout the entire AI2 season differently, what would it be?
Well, we all know that I wish that I had worn waterproof mascara the night Julia left!
How are you coping with all the press scrutiny and attention from fans?
I learned early on that there was going to be some negative press, so I focused on all the GOOD press that I received. As far as the fans go, they are FANTASTIC! I’ve gotten the opportunity to meet many of them over the last few months and their support and faith in me is what inspires me and keeps me going!
What do you think about the way that Clay and Ruben have been jettisoned into the limelight since the finals? Is this what you would like for yourself or has their experience put you off at all?
I honestly love the limelight, so it hasn't put me off at all. I think that you have to love that part of it to be able to cope with the pressures it brings!
Who was / is your favorite judge? Did your opinion of them change?
Randy is, without a doubt, my favorite judge! He supported me and believed in me throughout the competition and I'm working with him now. He's even more fun and great than what you see of him on the show.
Who do you think is the best judge and why?
Again, I think Randy is the best judge.
What is Randy really like?
I think he's honest without being as cruel as you know who.
What is Paula really like?
Paula is the sweetest, most caring person that you'll ever meet. She was really there for us and shared our emotions. She gave all of us little gifts all the time and made us all feel like she really cared about us.
What is Simon really like?
Simon is pretty much like what you see on the show. He can be a really great guy, but he's got a pretty sharp tongue!
How do the judges act together off camera? Do they behave the same as on camera?
They all seem to be great friends off camera. I know that Randy, Simon, and Ryan hang out together sometimes.
There's a lot of speculation of an attraction between Simon and Paula – do you think that there’s anything to this?
Naw.
Have you read any of Simon’s book?
I've read a few excerpts but doubt that I'll read the whole thing.
There is a lot of controversial content in there (unsurprisingly!), in it he mentions a rumor about yourself, Corey Clark and Trenyce getting very 'close' on the show – have you anything to say about this?
I think that Simon needs to quit reading the tabloids! And in the spirit of what goes around comes around, I heard that Simon and Ryan were very 'close'! HA!
Are you still in contact with any of the other AI2 contestants or judges? If so, who?
I'm in constant contact with Randy. I still talk with some of the other contestants whenever I can, but we're all very busy since the tour ended. I truly love all of the other contestants and feel like we'll all be a part of each other's lives forever.
Were any of the contestants from the second season different to the way they appeared on camera? If so who, and in what way?
I think there were a few people who appeared a little differently on camera than the way they really were. In some instances, I think that people would like some of the contestants even more if they knew the real thing. And, of course, the opposite could be true, too.
What actually happened between you and Julia DeMato? I know you seemed to have sorted things on the show, but was this just for the audience's sake? What is the situation now? Are you still in touch? How do you feel about what happened now?
The whole incident with Julia and I was blown way out of proportion from the real thing by the "power of editing." You didn't get to see everything that happened and the time-frame of events was not like it appeared on the show. In all, it was actually a very minor disagreement due to miscommunication, and Julia and I were even watching it together the night the whole incident first aired and laughed about how it came across! You don't realize what all can be done with film editing until you're the one on film! We became the best of friends and I'm sure we'll be in touch with each other forever.
What have you learned most about yourself since entering American Idol?
I think I learned what a strong person I really am by going through the whole American Idol experience. It absolutely confirmed my belief in being true to myself.
Have you changed much? If so, in what way?
I don't think that I've changed in many ways except I wear a little bit more expensive clothes now.
Did you ever expect that you would get as far as you did?
You have to go in to a competition like American Idol with great expectations. My expectations changed with each hurdle I crossed over during the competition.
Do you regret not getting further than you did?
Of course, I would have liked to stayed around a little longer, but all in all, I don't think things could have worked out any better for me than they have.
In your profile on the AI site last year, you said your goal in life was to be rich and famous. How is that coming along? Is this still your goal?
I think everybody on the show ultimately would want to be rich and famous! Who wouldn't? My highest goal in life is to achieve true happiness in my life, and I know that my true happiness is dependent on having a successful entertainment career.
What's next for Kimberly Caldwell?
Like I said previously, I'm working with the AMAZING Randy Jackson and the AMAZING Diane Warren. That's my main focus right now and we'll see where that leads me.
You have a lot of faithful fans out there – is there anything you would like to say to them?
The only thing that I have to say to my fans is.... THANK YOU FOR BELIEVING IN ME! I LOVE YOU ALL!
[back]
|
|
