With every pop culture hit comes the accompanying collectible. In this case,
it's the "official companion book" to the smash show American Idol.
American Idol: The Search for a Superstar goes on sale today from Bantam
Books.
What does the retail price of $ 8.95 get you?
About 60 glossy pages (there are no page numbers) of quotes, photos and
interviews. There are biographies of the two hosts and the three judges, a
chronicle of the 10,000 hopefuls auditioning in seven cities way back in the
beginning, and a recap of the 121 who went to Hollywood to audition again until
the final 30 contestants were chosen.
All 10 finalists are interviewed. Some highlights from the three who are
competing tonight on Fox (9 p.m. ET/PT):
Kelly Clarkson:
* If she could be anyone for a day, who would it be? "I adore Reba McEntire.
I'm such a country girl when it comes to that."
* Her first job was at a movie theater. "I'm a movie freak! All my friends
can't believe why I just don't go into acting. I actually write scripts. I'm
more into behind-the-scenes kind of stuff. I've written two movies and have
people looking at them."
Nikki McKibbin:
* What fans say: "I'm getting poems and marriage proposals. It's very
inspiring, if you're in a bad mood."
* Her best friend: R.J. Helton
* Of her look: "I don't see the 'uniqueness' and 'originality.' What I see
about myself is that I try to be bold and I try to catch people's
attention."
Justin Guarini:
* The show has been "a roller coaster ride. It's been just
awesome."
* If he could be anyone for a day? "I would be a Zen monk."
* He doesn't read the message boards. "I value the American public's
opinion, but I don't let it define who I am."
* To fans: "My advice to everyone is, do what you want. Search your heart
and find out what you really love to do and do it. Do it no matter what."