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Rhyme Report

Published on July 3rd, 2014 | by Jameelah "Just Jay" Wilkerson

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Kimberly Caldwell Interview: Life After Idol

“On The Weekend, I’m A F!@#ing Rockstar!”

Tell me your whole inception into entertainment — When did you first become interested in it? And, how did it actually all begin for Kimberly Caldwell?

I grew up in Texas, so I actually started in rodeo beauty pageants! It gave me a stage and a mic, and that’s all I needed to get hooked to entertaining at age five.

Now you are a native of Katy, Texas, correct? So growing up, whose music were you a big fan of that might have influenced you to do what you do today?

Country music played a big role in my childhood, and The Judds, especially Wynonna Judd was my ultimate Idol that I aspired to be like. She had the voice and the stage presence, plus wrote some amazing songs.

At what point exactly did you opt to pursue music on a professional level?

When I was eleven, I won the original Star Search five times and that lead to landing a gig, that same year, in Branson, Missouri, in a big production show. I did two shows a day and home-schooled, so I really learned a lot about work ethic at a young age.

Initially, the masses became familiar with you back when you first captured America’s hearts on the second season of the reality television juggernaut American Idol –Reflecting, how was that entire experience for you as a whole?

I can’t believe it was over a decade ago. I had no idea it would become the phenomenon it is today, and that it would be connected to my name for so long. I’m proud to have come from Idol, and it was definitely a huge stepping stone into the industry.

Yes, it’s hard to believe that it’s already been over eleven years actually since your days on Idol — However, your “official” solo debut Without Regret didn’t arrive until April 2011, how come?

I landed a job hosting for Fox Sports the day after I was booted off Idol, which snowballed into a full blown hosting career. From TV Guide Network to MTV and VH-1, I was constantly booked and took full advantage of that. I consciously decided to quit hosting long enough to write and record an album and was lucky enough to sign with Vanguard and Capitol Records, who ultimately made it all happen for me. Releasing an album was a life-long dream, and it was worth putting everything on hold for a bit.

That being said, were you happy with the overall success of your first solo effort?

I was honored that so many of my songs I co-wrote actually made the cut on the record, and think it definitely represented who I was at that time. I am proud of the energy, time and effort, we all took as a team to release a record we all believed in. The fans were so receptive and supportive, and that’s all I can ask for at the end of the day.

In the interim and in addition, of course, to music, as you’ve already mentioned, you also work as an actress and television personality — Please catch everyone up to speed with your full resume’…

Well, after hosting numerous Idol shows on TV Guide Network, I was hired by the reality machine, Mark Burnett Productions, to host shows like Jingles on CBS, P. Diddy’s Starmaker on MTV, and Rock and Roll Fantasy Camp on VH-1, then went on to host the first season of Best Ink for Oxygen. In between these shows, I did a couple acting gigs as a country singer on a miniseries called 26 Miles and got cut in half, literally, in the horror film Wrong Turn 2, and just last year landed a guest role as a roller derby coach onFranklin & Bash. Been fun jumping around from one thing to the next in all aspects of entertainment.

Which brings “us” to now, and the release of your brand new single and video “On The Weekend” — What does this particular song represent both to and for you? And, how did this specific track even come to fruition?

All my friends kept griping about their 9(to)5 jobs, so I wanted to write them a weekend anthem! “On The Weekend” was initially just written for fun, but it took on a life of its own and we knew that we needed to release it. It was so relatable and such a fun song to let loose to, so we teamed up with our friends at Thermafuse (Hair Care), who sponsored the video. I wrote the concept and styled everyone, including myself, and all my besties made cameos, so it was an unforgettable day of shooting. It was a blast to go from geek to chic, and just such a laid back fun shoot all together.

“On The Weekend” is the lead offering from your soon-to-be released EP — What all can you reveal and/or divulge about said project thus far?

We actually decided to release three songs all at once, which are now available on iTunes. The trio fit together so well, and we wanted them to be launched at the same time. “Tied Together,” “Doin’ Me Right,” and “On The Weekend,” all compliment each other beautifully and have that cool ’80’s vibe. So many great songs get lost on albums these days, so this way my fans and I can all focus on these three for now. It’s the best music I have ever written or, been a part of, without a doubt.

Longevity, what has been the ultimate key to yours? And, of course, what will continue to keep sustaining you in entertainment?

I think because I have had my hand in a little piece of all of the arts of the industry is maybe why I could say I am still recognizable. My drive and my supporters are the things that keep me striving and continuing to challenge myself.

Do you have any other additional/outside future aspirations, maybe even completely away from entertainment?

I launched a handmade leather handbag line that is all created by me at a little workshop in my house. It’s called Stage Presents [SPbyKC.com], and all one of a kind pieces. I teamed up with my buddies at Head N’ Home Hats, and we are in the final stages of developing my own leather hair accessory line…So stay tuned! I also have my own column called ‘Hairdo’sand Don’ts,’ in the number one selling hair magazine, Sophisticate’s Hairstyle Guide, where I explain how I cut, color and style, my own hair and how the readers can, too!

To date, what has been your biggest career moment?

The most memorable has to be singing on the Grand Ole Opry stage for George and Barbara Bush’s 50th wedding anniversary when I was only eleven — Unforgettable!

Looking ahead, say five or even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?

Hopefully, I will be lucky enough to continue bouncing from one art to the next and be settled down with my soon to be husband, raising a couple kids. I’m very excited to be a mom one day in the near future.

As for the immediate, what’s next for Kimberly Caldwell?

I’m getting married on New Years Eve in Palm Springs to my longtime man, Jordan Harvey, who plays Major League Soccer for the Vancouver Whitecaps, so I will be busy cheering at games, planning the wedding and Bachelorette party, and continuing to squeeze in all the other professional gigs in between — Gonna be a good year!

Lastly, do you remain in touch with any of your former A.I. show finalist friends; i.e., Ruben, Clay, (the other) Kimberley (with an “e”), Josh, Trenyce, Carmen, Rickey, Julia, Corey, Charles and/or Vanessa?!

Those guys will always be family to me. We all bump into each other here and there, and it’s always all love. I still keep in touch randomly with Ruben, and became great friends with Justin Guarini, Blake Lewis, Elliott Yamin, and Mikalah Gordon, from other seasons.

Is there anything I left out or just plain forgot to mention?

Think you covered it all!

Any “message(s)” for our readers?
Follow me on Twitter and Instagram:
@_kimcaldwell

Interviewed By: Hype Staff



About the Author

Publisher and CEO of The Hype Magazine. Follow me on Twitter @HypeJustJay


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