Backstage With Diana DeGarmo: Idol-ized By America's Troops
By Tamar Fleishman
Summer 2007
Only Diana DeGarmo could get away with calling Gen. Peter Pace “dad.”
DeGarmo is unwavering in her support of
Diana DeGarmo burst into the American consciousness in 2004 as a 16-year-old singer on American Idol. Since her season on Idol, DeGarmo has been one of its busiest alumni, recently concluding her tenure as Penny Pingleton on the Broadway production of Hairspray. She has performed at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. She has appeared on such diverse TV fare as Blue Collar TV, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Live with Regis and Kelly, The View, Ellen and The O’Reilly Factor.
She has won many accolades, too. Her first single, Dreams, was No. 1 on Billboard’s singles chart, and she followed with a hit album, Blue Skies. In 2006, she was recognized by NAMM, the International Music Products Association, with the Music for Life Award for her advocacy on Capitol Hill for music and the arts in schools.
DeGarmo comes from a family that boasts a long history of military service. Her maternal grandfather, Bill Hall, served as a pilot in the Army Air Corps, the predecessor to the Air Force, and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel. He fought in World War II and
An uncle, (another) Bill Hall, also was a lieutenant colonel in the Air Force. He was a spotter pilot in
Her brother, David Evans, is currently a captain in the Army. An FAA-licensed pilot at age 14, he is an engineer now serving in southwest
DeGarmo is no babe in the woods when it comes to personal finance. Not long after her American Idol appearances, she was the victim of identity theft. A woman in
She recently returned from another USO tour with Gen. Pace, this one encompassing 13 countries in seven days, and found time to talk with Military Money.
MM: You come from a military family. What lessons have you learned from them about the importance of the military?
DeGarmo: No matter what you believe about the war, you have to support the troops. They’re over there doing their jobs. You have to appreciate the sacrifice they all make.
MM: Tell us about performing in war zones. What were the logistics of that?
DeGarmo: It was scary! We weren’t told exactly where we would be going. It was eye-opening to see men and women in full body armor and carrying weapons! But it was such a rewarding experience. We were told to be prepared to walk on different surfaces, to bring shoes that could handle it. We had to bring everything we needed in one carry-on bag, no other luggage. That’s easier for guys – they don’t use straightening irons!
MM: What were your living conditions?
DeGarmo: We stayed in everything from five-star hotels to barracks, which were really tents. We had to bring flashlights for the times we were without power. They told us to stay close to the group at all times. Then they taught us that when Gen. Pace gets ready to leave, it’s time to go! But I have to say this: Gen. Pace and his wife were the most amazing, nice, down-to-earth people I’ve ever known. I respect him so much. He was like a father figure to me. I called him “dad!”
MM: Do you have any more performances scheduled for the troops?
DeGarmo: I’m already planning to go along with the General for the next holiday tour. I don’t know yet where I’ll be performing. When I was on tour before, on New Year’s Eve we slept in one of Saddam Hussein’s former palaces. There was a pond there, but they told us not to touch the water – it was toxic! We watched the ball drop in
MM: What was it like to see those wounded soldiers?
DeGarmo: It was amazing but hard to do. There were people with head wounds, people missing arms and legs. It was powerful. One soldier, they had told him we were coming through; he had just been flown in from
MM: Are you firming up your plans for performing again for the troops?
DeGarmo: Yes, we’re making plans with Gen. Pace. John Pinette, a comedian from Hairspray, is joining us. He said, “Just tell me where and when, and I’ll be there.” We usually have four performers and one distinguished guest who is usually a Medal of Honor recipient or an inspirational speaker.
MM: You’re a very busy performer. Do you manage your own money?
DeGarmo: My mom and I do, yes. My mom has my best interests at heart.
MM: Do you have any investments?
DeGarmo: I’m looking to buy a home in
MM: What do you consider a waste of money? What’s something that, no matter how much money you have, you would never buy?
DeGarmo: I think houses that are so big – and then, they only have two people in them. You see these 4,000-square-foot homes, expecting a big family would live there, and it’s only a couple. I believe land is precious, and then to see these mega-mansions taking up the best land, well, it’s a little bit disturbing.
MM: Tell us about your upcoming CD.
DeGarmo: It’s mostly pop music but with an urban flair. I’m writing some of it, but not all of the songs. We’re looking to get it out this summer. There will be a whole bunch of publicity surrounding it – you won’t be able to miss it!
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Tamar Alexia Fleishman is an attorney and writer in
