Here's a pic of Kellie....
Posted on 02/17/2006 1:25:21 PM PST by SirLinksalot
'American Idol's Pickler: Singer and survivor
19-year-old from Albemarle overcomes lifetime of adversity to grab her chance at stardom
MARK WASHBURNTV/Radio Writer
THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
Spunky Kellie Pickler and her fellow "American Idol" finalists are the "It" gang of Hollywood this week, notching record TV ratings and making the celebrity rounds.
It is a heady trip for the 19-year-old waitress at Sonic, a long way from both her hometown of Albemarle and a sometimes heart-breaking childhood, she says, one that included abandonment and a child-custody battle that landed her in the compassionate embrace of her grandparents.
She shared her story with the Observer Thursday, the day after being chosen one of 24 contestants for "Idol's" fifth season. It underlines the charm of America's No. 1 television show, one that draws real people (with real-life struggles) from across the country into a swirl of glamor and a once-in-a-lifetime shot at fame.
Fantasia Barrino, the 2004 winner, for example, revealed in her autobiography that she was a teenage rape victim and got pregnant in high school with no option but welfare. But Barrino, who now lives in Charlotte, persevered and battled her own illiteracy to seek a GED diploma and is now one of the nation's best-known recording artists with a platinum record.
Like Barrino, Pickler is forthright and unsoured by the crushing grief she faced. "My mother left me when I was about 2 years old," she said via telephone between rehearsals in Hollywood. "I don't know where she moved to, somewhere in California. ... "My dad was a drug user and an alcoholic. So I lived off and on with my grandparents. Whenever my dad would get locked up, I'd move in with my grandparents and wait until he got out and got straightened out again."
Unbeknownst to Pickler, her mother returned to Albemarle (about 40 miles northeast of Charlotte). Their paths crossed in a chance encounter when Pickler was in the fourth grade.
"My grandparents and I were eating out and my mother was in there with some of her friends. I don't know how I knew it was her, but we made eye contact. She went to court trying to fight for custody of me."
Her mother won, Pickler said, and for the next two years had custody. "That whole time my grandparents were trying to get me back."
They eventually succeeded. Pickler's mother left. She and her daughter haven't been in contact for years. Her father, meanwhile, was arrested several times in North Carolina -- drunken driving, assault, armed robbery. "He'd get out of prison, get on drugs really bad, get tied up with the wrong people," she said.
Father tries for new start
After he was released in July 1998, he decided to leave Albemarle."In a small town, your reputation is easily ruined," Pickler said. "It's hard to gain trust back from everyone. He needed to go somewhere nobody knew him. Unfortunately, he got tied up with the wrong people again.
"It just shows you can't run from your problems. They follow you everywhere."
In January 2003, her father stabbed a man in New Port Richey, Fla., on the Gulf Coast. He ran from police. When they blocked his path, he tried to use his car to ram an officer's cruiser.
He is now serving a three-year sentence at Florida State Prison in Starke. Pickler hasn't seen him since he went in. They exchange letters often.
Their bonds are strong
Some people would find it strange, she admitted, but she's still crazy about her dad. She says her dad has always been good and tender to her, always trying to provide for her, always encouraging her to be her best.
"I've always been a daddy's girl, despite all the obstacles we've had to overcome. We're really close. I know a lot of people wouldn't understand. He's happy for me and he's pulling for me from where he's at."
Clyde Pickler's current release date is May 22. Another coincidence. That's the same week the "American Idol" finals are scheduled in Los Angeles.
"If I make it to the finale, he should be able to come," Pickler said. "Which would be really great."
The Next Idol?
Five people with Carolina ties are competing next week on "American Idol" on Fox.
• On Tuesday, when the women sing, Heather Cox, 22, of Jonesville, Kellie Pickler, 19, of Albemarle and Kinnik Sky, 28, who grew up in Columbia and lives in Georgia, will perform.
• On Wednesday, it's the mens' turn. William "Bucky" Covington, 28, of Rockingham and Chris Daughtry, 26, of McLeansville will sing.
• On Thursday, two men and two women will be eliminated. All shows air at 8 p.m. on Fox, WCCB (Channel 18).
This girl has got to be American Idol's dream. She can sing those blues from experience.
Guilty pleasure....I like the show. Voting for this Pickler girl, if her voice holds up, just might be a no-brainer.
She seems like a nice girl, and has a great voice. She has won local beauty contests. However, her style may be too much like last year's winner, Carrie Underwood, so she is likely to be voted out in the last phases of the competition.
"He is now serving a three-year sentence at Florida State Prison in Starke. "
I like her too, I love Idol, and I can admire her for standing by her father, BUT, this man is a career criminal and I find it astounding that with his arm-long record, a stabbing (at the very least serious assault, maybe worse) and resisting arrest, and maybe assaulting a cop, he only got three years.
We have a Live Thread going on AI, here:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/1558843/posts
Anyone who is interested can FReepmail silent_jonny to get on the ping list.
American Idol Ping for you.
• On Thursday, two men and two women will be eliminated. All shows air at 8 p.m. on Fox, WCCB (Channel 18).
That show is tough, two guys sing on Wednesday and two guys are eliminated on Thursday.
But I'll bet she can't juggle.
I've been thinking about that. Logically, a Carrie Underwood clone wouldn't win.
It's hard to tell what should happen. Last year, Bo, Scott, and Constantine were all better singers than are the current crop of "rock stars". Thing is, the demographics of who watches the show and votes kept the Russian guy around (he was pretty good) a long time, and helped Carrie beat Bo, possibly.
Unless the percentage of rock and blues fans increases, we'll keep getting a wonderful teenage girl with a tough or isolated background who respects her opportunity and puts 100% of her heart, talent, and effort into it.
Why do I think that? Bo has so much talent to be better than the leads of the great rock bands from the '60s and '70s, and the other three guys can really sing. But the gal with talent, heart, and charisma got it.
Personally, I wish they could've co-won.
Or perhaps he's the "wrong people".
I am a "Kelly Man" !!
Did you see in the paper today where Simon says that only 3 out of the 24 chosen last week are really pop star material?
I wonder which three he has in mind.
KELLIE PICKLER
Age: 19
Hometown: Albemarle, NC
Audition City: Greensboro
Favorite Female Artist:
Kelly Clarkson
Favorite Male Artist:
Keith Urban
When did you first start to sing?
Before I could talk! Ha! Ha!
Do you have any formal singing training?
No.
What other talents do you have?
Dancing, gymnastics, and shopping for shoes!
If you don't make it on AMERICAN IDOL, what will you do?
I will always try to pursue music!
What are your personal goals in life?
To live a long happy life.
What album would your friends be surprised you own?
I can never surprise my friends.
Who is your AMERICAN IDOL?
My grandma.
Do you have any rituals or things you do each time you perform?
PRAY!
Most embarassing moments?
Telling Paula, Randy, and Simon that I was sweating so bad that I had to wipe my arm pits.
What has been your proudest moment in life so far?
Overcoming family obstacles.
If you couldn't sing, which talent would you most like to have?
Anything in the music field (play an instrument).
What is your definition of an AMERICAN IDOL?
Kellie Dawn Pickler.
Who is your favorite judge and why?
Ask me when I know them better.
What would people be surprised to learn about you?
That I can burp like a man.
How has this changed your life?
It's making my dreams come true.
Do you have any lucky charms?
Bracelet - I'm going to wear it through the show.
Who are your heroes in life?
Grandma and Grandpa.
What's been your toughest obstacle in life?
When my grandma passed and family problems.
Do you think the audition process was fair?
Yes.
If you win, who will you thank first?
God, Grandma, Grandpa, family, friends and American Idol!
It's time for a guy to win...whatever happened to Ruben? Man, he was a disappointing Idol...And what about Fantasia...don't see her anywhere either....
We'll see if there's any potential with tonight's show. One can't help but suspect, though, if Bo, Constantine, and Scott got beat by a sweet girl with a nice story (and a great voice and a willingness to respond to criticism), we'll get one of those gals.
And, there were four or five of them who were great last night. That 16 year old girl who does the Gladys Knight thing? Wow; Kelly's gonna' have to work.
Kellie Pickler, singer and survivor (and fibber about never having performed in front of anyone)...
http://www.wsoctv.com/video/7329335/detail.html
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