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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > June > 10
Tuesday, June 10, 2008
6/10: Nikki McKibbon goes VH1 rehab, following Jessica Sierra
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Season one third-place finisher Nikki McKibbin has shown up on post “Idol” reality TV before (like “Battle of the Network Reality Stars”). But now she’s following up Jessica Sierra by joining Dr. Drew Pinksy’s “Celebrity Rehab,” part two. The second season is being produced now for airing starting in October.
McKibbon’s housemates? Jeff Conaway (“Grease”) returns, with newbies Rodney King (yes, that Rodney King from the “Why can’t we all just get along?” post-L.A. riot days), Rod Stewart’s son Sean, Tawny Kitaen (on the hood of that Whitesnake car), Gary Busey, Steven Adler (Guns ‘n Roses) and some actress I have never heard of named Amber Smith.
How forgotten is McKibbin? The VH1 press release misspelled her name. Certainly nobody expected her to do better than Tamyra Gray that year. She had spunk but would probably have never even made the finale 24 in any of the past three or four seasons.
In other “Idol” news:
-Every “Idol” winner (except Fantasia) has sung the National Anthem at an NBA championship final. And David Cook does so tonight in Los Angeles, where the Lakers try to claw out of a 2-0 deficit vs. the Celtics.
-If you’re at home watching the NBC Fourth of July celebration, check out Kat McPhee and Jordin Sparks from 9 to 10 p.m.
-Any impressions of “Nashville Star”? They sped through a quicky review of the auditions, almost the point of pointlessness. They got to the top 12, which for the first time includes some duos and trios. What I found tiresome was carting out songs I’ve heard a million times already on “Idol,” including “Drift Away” and “Piece of My Heart.” But I do like Jewel as a judge. She’s serious and smart though occasionally smug. And some of these contestants are adorable and cute like teen friends Lauren & Sophie, who did “Stand By Your Man” as a duet. Ditto with Pearl Heart, who did the Dixie Chicks “Wide Open Spaces.” Overall, I liked the gals better than the guys.
The best of the guys? Gabe Garcia had by the most charisma doing “All My Exes Live in Texas.”
Most charisma with weakest vocals? Ashlee Hewitt is incredibly beautiful with great stage presence but her Colbie Caillat “Bubbly” was just mediocre.
Best pipes of the night? Plus-sized Melissa Lawson by far. She blew the house down with “Something To Talk About” (yes, another “Idol” worn nugget). She looks like Gretchen Wilson’s heftier sister with attitude to spare. She is going to be around awhile!
-Taylor Hicks speaks to a Long Beach, Calif. paper and says the following.
“The great thing about this role is I was able to be Taylor at the same time as Teen Angel,” he said. “It allows me to get my feet wet a little bit before I really dive into acting.”
And his thoughts on David Cook, to OK magazine:
“I think he has a great shot [at success],” Hicks, 31, told OK! at a ceremony at Planet Hollywood where he made a hand-print in concrete to commemorate his Broadway debut in Grease.
“The rock genre he’s in is really… radio loves rock,” he said. “I think it’s going to work wonders for him. He’s carved himself a little niche for his own identity, and I think he’s going to do well.”
-Speaking of David Cook, he shows up at on “Leno” Thursday night. Randy Jackson stops by Conan afterwards. On Friday, check out Taylor Hicks on “Live with Regis & Kelly.”
