Posted on: Tuesday, September 28, 2004
Finalists from 'Idol' share some secrets
By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer
Amy Adams' pink hair is no more.
But if you think the trademark look for the "American Idol" contestant is the biggest change she has going since Idol fans last tuned into the Fox TV show earlier this year, you're not even close.
Adams, performing with nine other finalists over the the next three nights at Blaisdell Arena, is pregnant.
She revealed the biggest change of her life following a press conference yesterday at the Ala Moana Hotel. She also said she proposed to boyfriend Ross Vakner, that he said yes, and they will marry and spend their honeymoon in Waikiki.
"The dye had to go; it's not good for the baby," said Adams, 24, still beaming.
While Adams is the lone Idol singer whose immediate future will be determined by matrimony and motherhood, the other performers celebrated their final tour stop after a whirlwind fall schedule.
Season Three champion Fantasia Barrino, 20, showed up with her short hair concealed by a baseball cap and her wit and smile in tow. Mix in Hawai'i singers Jasmine Trias and Camile Velasco, along with runner-up Diana DeGarmo, 17, and "pen salesman" Jon Peter Lewis, 24, who both auditioned in Honolulu, and there was a lot of aloha spirit in the ranks yesterday. Every Idol performer raved about the weather, the friendliness and the food.
"You have created so much excitement in this state," said Tom Moffatt, who is the Honolulu presenter of the concluding segment of the Idol tour. When he told the singers their shows sold out faster than concerts by Journey, The Who, Gloria Estefan, James Taylor, Earth Wind & Fire, Elton John, 'N Sync, the Rolling Stones and even Elvis Presley, the 10 applauded.
"Mele Kalikimaka," George Huff, 22, No. 5 finisher, said at one point, picking up on Hawaiian learned from his kid sister, who worked with Islanders at Disney.
Later, he said he was " 'ono for manapua," evoking more laughter from all with his limited but effective Hawaiian tongue.
Yesterday's press conference wasn't earth-shattering, but it marked the first time Hawai'i has seen the performers since the spring. One of the topics brought up was health and diet.
Trias said sleep and water work for her.
DeGarmo said vitamins and rest help.
"Don't eat all the pizza that they give us," quipped Barrino.
"I don't have a diet," said Velasco, looking fit and relaxed.
The singers are hoping to get a few trips to the beach in over the next few days, and Lewis said he's hoping to make it to the North Shore to visit family.
Velasco, from Maui, had other plans.
"While I was on tour, I tried to keep my tan going at the pool," she said. "I miss the weather, the people and food."
The group was to attend a lu'au, en masse, last night, for the lone joint get-together before going to work tonight.
Other revelations:
I Fans toss panties at John Stevens in concert. (He blushed).
I People here are starstruck, since few celebrities frolic freely in Hawai'i. "I warned them about being recognized," said Trias.
Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com, or fax 525-8055.
