New URL for the American Idol buzz blog!
Please go to the new American Idol Buzz blog at http://blogs.ajc.com/american-idol-blog/
Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > July > 03 > Entry
7/4: Frenchie Davis interview promoting Atlanta Pride Festival
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Frenchie Davis has managed just fine without “American Idol,” thank you very much.
After she was unceremoniously booted in 2003 from the show because of topless photos of her landing on the Web, the vocally talented Davis landed a job singing on Broadway’s “Rent,” a job she kept for four years.
“I’ve been making a living doing what I love to do,” she said. “My major in college was theater so I was already groomed for it.”
Not that it was easy. “I had no life,” she said. “I couldn’t go out on weekends. I had to make necessary adjustments to do live theater.” But she admired the dedicated “Rentheads” who have seen the play 100 times and can mouth all the words. “You get used to seeing them hanging out at the theater,” she said. “They get used to seeing you.”
She’s only had one stalker problem, a dude who got her cel phone number and sent a picture of his penis. She had to call the cops and he never bothered her again.
She grew up in Los Angeles and prefers her hometown over New York: “I didn’t like the smell of urine outside the apartment I’m paying $2,500 a month in rent for.”
In recent months, she had been recuperating from surgery to remove a polyp from her left vocal cord. She’s now fully recovered. “My voice is back,” she said. “It’s weird because I have had this polyp for years on my vocal cord. I had speech therapy and now certain notes come out way easier than they used to. I don’t have to work as hard.
Unlike most “Idol” alums, she has no need or desire right now to cut an album. “That’s not my priority right now,” she said. “I’m focused on pursuing my theater career. I’m even considering my education. I think at some point I might get my masters. That’s what I’m debating on.”
This fall, she joins Ruben Studdard in a touring production of “Ain’t Misbehavin’” that hits the Fox Theater this November. And she will appear Friday at the Atlanta Civic Center with CeCe Peniston, Thelma Houston and Expose for the Atlanta Pride Festival.
“I’ve done a lot of prides,” she said. “Los Angeles. Boston. Albuquerque, Cincinnati. As a college student, one way I made money was singing in local gay clubs. That’s always been my first audience. They embraced me. They’ve supported me and appreciated my talent so when they call for me to perform, I always say yes!” And she’s looking forward to Atlanta. “My father just moved there!”
Her take on her Thelma Houston (“Don’t Leave Me This Way”): “That b** can sing!” CeCe Peniston (best known for the song “Finally”): “Some people have instruments that recordings don’t do justice. Her voice is ridiculous live.”
She plans to sing some Whitney, throw in a new dance song called “You Are.” “We’ll play it by ear,” she said. “I have to preserve my voice.”
And she’s not big on talking about “Idol.” I figure she didn’t like the way she sounded last year when she commented about how Antonella Barba got away with naughty photos on the Web and didn’t get cut but she did. In retrospect, it does seem pretty unfair.
Comments
By Menana
July 3, 2008 1:56 PM | Link to this
Am I first?
By Menana
July 3, 2008 1:59 PM | Link to this
Am I first?
By Deirdre
July 3, 2008 2:01 PM | Link to this
Thanks for the info, Rodney. I’m glad she has toned down the rhetoric a little. I’m also pleased to hear that she’s doing well.
You have a good 4th!
By JTesla
July 3, 2008 2:04 PM | Link to this
You’re first and second.
By flats
July 3, 2008 2:19 PM | Link to this
JT…Did u see where i was just popping in the other day and picked up a first?
By Deirdre
July 3, 2008 2:20 PM | Link to this
To all my blogging buddies…have a safe and happy 4th!!!!!!
By JTesla
July 3, 2008 3:16 PM | Link to this
Flats, I saw that. Even when you are on vacation you can still pick up a first.
Have a good 4th Deirdre and everyone else. Flats, don’t blow yourself or anyone else up.
By Lizzie
July 3, 2008 3:30 PM | Link to this
WHO CARES???????
By harrietth
July 3, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
I do.
By JTesla
July 3, 2008 3:34 PM | Link to this
Thanks for taking the time to comment, it shows that you care.
By Menana
July 3, 2008 3:43 PM | Link to this
JT: I know I hit the post button ONLY once. Sometimes, it just won’t take a single hit. You know how it acts up sometimes.
Frenchie must be doing better than okay since she can pay $2500.00 a month rent, however, I guess that is cheap in NY.
Oh I bet Lizzie cares since she posted.
Happy 4th to all.
By KPH
July 3, 2008 3:50 PM | Link to this
Getting back to Murder in Coweta County. A friend of mines Uncle was sheriff at that time his name was Lamar Potts. Happy 4th to all. The 5th my Wife and I will be married 34 years and she is still my honey pumpkin lover and my hearts delight!
By JTesla
July 3, 2008 3:55 PM | Link to this
It’s ok Menana, this blog format… well I won’t comment on the blog format.
Lizzie obviously cares more than I do, because to be honest I’m sick of hearing about Frenchie. At some point of every Idol season someone has to sound the “Remember Frenchie” battle cry, in terms of my interest in Idol she has simply become an annoyance.
By harrietth
July 3, 2008 4:05 PM | Link to this
JT, I answered “I do,” because I took Lizzie’s comment to mean what we were all having to say to each OTHER—NOT about Frenchie. If it was about her, then ok.
By harrietth
July 3, 2008 4:23 PM | Link to this
Bye all. Hope everyone has a great 4th. flats, welcome back. Talk on Monday.
By JTesla
July 3, 2008 4:47 PM | Link to this
Sorry Harrietth. My comment was actually in response to Lizzie, but due to the blog format it didn’t show up until after you posted.
I hope you had a good weekend.
By linny ,,,=^..^=,,,
July 3, 2008 5:43 PM | Link to this
LOL
have a happy 4th y’all, don’t drink too much of the 5th, blah blah blah… ok i ran out of steam!
see ya!
By Lizzie
July 3, 2008 7:32 PM | Link to this
Of course it was about Frenchie, dummy
By Lizzie
July 3, 2008 7:34 PM | Link to this
The article was about Frenchie, the comment was about Frenchie….DUH!!!!,
By Deirdre
July 3, 2008 7:43 PM | Link to this
Lizzie….misunderstandings happen on blogs.
Rudeness is childish and makes you seem like a royal pain in the …. I’m sure you didn’t mean to come across that way.
Happy Independence Day!
By Woodpappy
July 3, 2008 10:27 PM | Link to this
All I can say is “Yabba Dabba Do”