Meet America’s new idols

American Pie, American Express, American Airlines, American Film Institute may sound as familiar to you as apple pie, but do you know who America’s new idols are? To find out, stop by your favorite music store and get a copy of the CD "American Idol."

American Idol is a reality show like no other. Inspired by UK’s Pop Idol, Fox Television produced a show that would showcase the best of America’s unheard of songbirds and heartthrob vocals alike. From 50,000 hopefuls, the list was trimmed to 10 finalists who shared one big dream: To rise from anonymity to fame (and fortune) as the American Idol. What the finalists went through wasn’t easy as (American) pie. In each episode, they not only had to woo the audience for their votes, they also had to impress the board of judges composed of music veterans Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson and Simon Cowell. Each finalist was certainly determined to become a music sensation – yes, America’s new idol. And now, let’s meet America’s future idols up close and somewhat personal.

Kelly Clarkson, 20, won the very first American Idol title, competing against Justin Guarini, who placed second in the last episode. Wowing ’em and winning 58 percent of the votes that night, Kelly went home with a $1-million contract with RCA Records. Surely, Kelly has come a long way from home in Burleson, Texas where she sang in her school choir while dreaming of becoming famous someday. Never letting go of that dream, she packed her bags and moved to Hollywood. There, she met music expert Gerry Goffin. Unfortunately, Goffin got sick and with no one to back her up, she tried to get record labels to listen to her demo CD. After a non-speaking part in Sabrina the Teenage Witch, a frustrated Kelly left Hollywood and returned to Texas where she took a job as a cocktail waitress. Nevertheless, she kept her options open. After some prodding from her best friend, she attended an audition for the search for the American Idol. She moved back to Los Angeles where she started singing on national television. She delighted America with her rendition of the songs Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin, Respect, It’s Raining Men, You’re All I Need, I Surrender, and Without You, a Badfinger/Nilsson/Mariah Carey ballad.

Having found her niche in the music industry, Kelly released her first album appropriately titled "Thankful," where she worked with topnotch producers and songwriters like Dianne Warren (Celine Dion), Desmond Child (Bon Jovi), Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Mariah Carey and Janet Jackson). She also stars in a musicale titled From Justin to Kelly, where she rejoins fellow finalist Justin Guarini.

Getting 44 percent of the final episode vote, Justin Guarini, 23, knows that things can only get better from here. Born in Georgia, Justin joined the Atlanta Boys Choir at age four. With his burning passion for singing, Justin went on to join an a cappella group called Midnight Voices. Afterwards, he studied at the University of Arts in Philadelphia and the School for Film and TV in New York City. Soon after, he was hired by Cutting Edge Entertainment, which provides entertainment for weddings and bar mitzvahs. Last year, he decided to take a chance in the open-call audition for American Idol and eventually landed in the final 10. He sang songs like Get Here, Sunny, For Once In My Life, and Let’s Stay Together. Although he was a few points shy of the title, Justin was able to secure a contract with 19 Entertainment and now has a self-titled solo album.

Texas-born Nikki Mckibbin, 23, already had things going for her before she claimed the third spot in the American Idol search. With a five-year-old son named Tristan, Nikki is a hardworking and determined mom. Early on, she starred in Warner Bros.’ Popstar, where she made it to the top 26. With a karaoke company to her name, Nikki has signed up with RCA and is planning to call her first album "Step Back to Reality."

With a voice as great as her looks, Tamyra Gray, Miss Atlanta 1998, is a natural charmer. Adored by her audience including Oprah, Tamyra said she didn’t join American Idol just to win. Rather, she was only too happy to share her God-given talent as she has been doing since childhood. Joining a talent show in seventh grade, she was said to have sung every song she’d heard on the radio. At 13, she and her sister Kim formed a duo called Silhouettes as their parents cheered them on. For the record, Tamyra studied business, law and sound recording technology at Georgia State University. Before fame beckoned, she was an obscure pre-kindergarten teacher at Primrose School. She has performed in two musicals, danced for a hip-hop company and done a commercial for Coca-Cola. She even did background vocals for DMX in 1998 for the song Slippin. Although she didn’t win the much-coveted title American Idol, she snagged contracts from J Records and 19 Management. Currently working with Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Tamyra looks forward to releasing her very first album. More, she has agreed to appear in seven episodes of Boston Public.

RJ Helton, another Texan, was teaching little kids how to dance before he joined the show. He started singing at age three and had his first public performance at five. Soon, he was participating in state choirs and performing for professional theater companies. At 19, he signed up with Dryden Entertainment, where he recorded his first demo CD. Now 22, RJ is reportedly considering doing a Crest commercial, appearing in a movie and doing a pop album. He’s also been offered a career in modeling.

Fulfilling her destiny was what kept 21-year-old Christina Christian in the top 10 throughout the grueling episodes of the American Idol show. This Brooklyn-born, Florida-based chanteuse dazzled everyone with her Celine Dion jewel-like voice, as when she sang Ain’t No Sunshine, When a Man Loves a Woman, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, At Last, and The Glory of Love. She’s now working on her first album.

Born Tiffany Montgomery, Ryan Starr hopes to be a good role model to deserve the tag "American Idol." Although she didn’t win the title, she captivated her audiences with her interpretation of the songs Last Dance, You Really Got Me, If You Really Love Me, The Frim Farm Sauce. With a promising career ahead of her, Ryan is planning to call her first album "Miss-Taken" or "The Glass Is Half Full."

Like Ryan, AJ (Abner Juda) Gil, born in San Diego, California, wants to be an inspiration to America’s youth. Landing eighth place in the American Idol search at 18, AJ is off to a good start in his singing career. He’s already thinking of calling his first album "Thanx 2 U."

Ninth placer Jim Verraros, 19, made everyone fall in love with his voice as he serenaded them with songs like Easy and When I Fall In Love. This talented young man of few words wants to call his first album "So You Say."

Taking 10th place, Ejay Day impressed the American audience with both his vocals and charm. Living in Georgia, he’s been singing and dancing on the show America – The State of Rhythm. He plans to call his first album "Fire" or "Eye Candy."

All told, the "American Idol Greatest Moments" CD is full of songs that show fresh talent. Taking a little trip down memory lane, the album leaves you yearning for the good old days, too. Shall we give a round of applause to America’s new idols?

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E-mail me at ice_wave_42@yahoo.com.