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SHOWBIZ TONIGHT
Showbiz Tonight Reviews the Best of 2006
Aired December 27, 2006 - 19:00:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
VARGAS: Well, like the beautifully curvy Jennifer Hudson, there has no shortage of success stories from "American Idol" in 2006. After finishing sixth in season five on "American Idol," Kellie Pickler released her very first, very personal album, called "Small Town Girl."
In an emotional interview with SHOWBIZ TONIGHT`s Brooke Anderson, Pickler broke down in tears as she talked about her mother, who abandoned when she was only 2 years old. She also told us what she loves most about her newfound fame.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
KELLIE PICKLER, SINGER: It`s amazing. I went from a roller skating waitress at Sonic, roller skating burgers out for a living. And went from that to finally living out my dream, you know, and being a part of "American Idol." And it`s just - it`s - it`s everything and more that I could hope that it had been. So.
ANDERSON: What`s the best part and the worst part of living your life in the spotlight?
PICKLER: The best part is that for once in my life, you know, for once in my life -- I know I haven`t lived a very long life, but, you know, for 20 years, you know -- I wouldn`t necessarily say that I was a really depressed person, but, like, I was miserable because I was not doing what I loved, you know?
And so, for once in my life, I`m just so happy. And I`m just so content with everything. And I`m just so at peace with everything. And I`m just really happy. So I guess that`s the best thing about everything is that I`m finally happy. And I have a job that I love. I wake up every morning and I can`t wait to go to.
ANDERSON: That`s great to hear. That`s great to hear.
PICKLER: It`s awesome.
ANDERSON: On your album, you have a lot of very personal songs. And one of them is called, "I Wonder." And it talks about dealing with the absence of your mother your entire life. She abandoned you when you were just 2 years old.
PICKLER: Yes.
ANDERSON: Let`s take a moment to listen to that for a second.
PICKLER: All right.
(BEGIN AUDIO CLIP)
(SINGING)
(END AUDIO CLIP)
ANDERSON: The only thing you ever gave to me at all, these brown eyes. The song brought tears to my eyes the first time I listened to it. It must have been incredibly difficult - you`re crying right now. I know, it`s hard.
PICKLER: I`m sorry.
ANDERSON: It`s hard.
How difficult was it to sing about your mother and what you went through?
PICKLER: It was really hard.
ANDERSON: Yes.
PICKLER: I really...
ANDERSON: It`s OK.
PICKLER: I think it`s -- probably, it was definitely the hardest album - the song on the album to record. And I - it`s sad that I have to sing those words. And it was a hard choice for me to make.
But, you know, I think it`s just important that, you know, with the fans, you know, that I`m honest with them as much as I am with myself. And, you know, I just -- I wanted this album to be about my life. And I`m trying to put a piece of my life into each one of these songs. And yes, that was the hardest song to do. Sorry.
ANDERSON: That`s OK. It`s understandable.
PICKLER: But I think that -- you know, we all have, like, obstacles that we have to overcome in life. And we can either choose to dwindle down that same path, you know, or we can choose to be a witness for other people that might be going through the same problems. So.
ANDERSON: That`s a great way to look at it.
PICKLER: You know, if I could -- if this album -- regardless if it sells one copy or 10 million copies, if the one little boy or one little girl that bought this album, if it touches their life, and, you know, lets them know that - that I`m relatable to them and that it`s OK and it`s not their fault of - of their -- you know, you don`t choose your parents. You don`t choose your family.
And I, you know, I just -- I just want to be a witness for other people that are going through the same problems. And yes, it was really hard to put that on the - on the album. But there - you know, for once in my life, I`m not ashamed of where I came from. I`m very happy to say, I`m Kellie Pickler. And, you know what I mean? This is me.
ANDERSON: Accept me.
PICKLER: Yes. And everyone knew it from "Idol." You know, they -- that was a big part of the show. And so everyone knew pretty much the basics of my life.
And I just felt that was important to reflect on the album. That way, you know, the fans, they invest money in us as artists. You know, they -- they`re the ones that buy our albums and sell out our concerts, and you know, pitch tents in front of "The View," or whenever we`re going to be there, you know? Just to see us. And it`s just important that, you know, I`m honest with them like I am with myself. And.
ANDERSON: And I`m sure they appreciate that.
PICKLER: Yes, because, I mean, I just -- I think it`s great when they get to know me more on an intimate, personal level. And you know, I mean, I just -- it`s really important to me. And this album -- if I can describe it in two words -- I can`t say one, because it`s two words, it`d be an open book of my life.
And it - and it really is. And all the songs were very personal to me. From, you know, "Red High Heels" is fun and sassy, to, "I Wonder," and "My Angel," the song that I write to my grandmother. And, you know - I`m just - I`m really proud. And.
ANDERSON: You should be.
PICKLER: It`s a storybook of my life. And.
ANDERSON: You should be proud. It is very admirable that you`re so open and honest. And I wish we had a tissue.
A tissue anybody? Here we go.
Here`s a tissue right here.
Well let me ask you this. You`re good friends with Katharine McPhee...
PICKLER: Yes.
ANDERSON: ...who was also on "American Idol" with you, a fellow finalist. And - and after "Idol" ended, she revealed that she struggled with bulimia.
PICKLER: Yes.
ANDERSON: It was - it was a big surprise to us.
Were you as surprised or were you aware of that?
PICKLER: I knew about it because Kat and I were really -- I mean, it was crazy, like, the short amount of time that Kat and I knew each other, we bonded like sisters. And honestly, I still look at her like a big sister. And I miss her. I haven`t seen her since the tour ended.
But we talk. She`s called me today. She called me yesterday, you know, because the album came out, and just to congratulate me. And we are just so happy for each other. We`ve been with each other since the beginning of "Idol." And it`s exciting to watch each other grow.
And, you know, we just -- I can`t wait to get in line at stores and buy her album. And I - she`s already bought mine. And so it`s just.
ANDERSON: You`re supportive of one another.
PICKLER: We`re very supportive of each other.
ANDERSON: And she`s doing great now?
PICKLER: She is doing great. And, you know, I think that it`s -- it`s so common these days for...
ANDERSON: Again, it`s so admirable that she is honest.
(CROSSTALK)
PICKLER: And it`s important because, you know, like I`m a witness for people that might grow up without their parents...
ANDERSON: She`s a witness as well.
PICKLER: She`s a witness as well for people that are dealing with eating disorders.
ANDERSON: Well, Kellie Pickler...
PICKLER: It`s so common these days, you know? With guys and women.
(END VIDEOTAPE)
VARGAS: Well, since its release in October, Kellie Pickler`s album, "Small Town Girl," hit the Top 10 of Billboard`s Top Country Albums chart. Go girl.
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