Vault: Americal Idol- Diana DeGarmo

Summary

The Bert Show – Vault: American Idol – Diana DeGarmo

Airdate: August 11, 2026
Main Theme:
A lively and intimate reunion with Diana DeGarmo, American Idol runner-up, as the Bert Show team catches up with her at the American Idol finale in LA. The conversation spans Diana’s evolving career post-Idol, her experiences on Broadway, surviving the Nashville floods, personal reflections, and the realities behind big TV productions.

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1. Diana DeGarmo: Then and Now

[01:00–01:26]

• Hosts Bert and Melissa reflect on seeing Diana DeGarmo, remarking on her transformation from a 16-year-old Idol contestant into a “total grown up knockout.”
• Quote (Melissa, 01:10): “She went from this like 16 year old girl on American Idol when everybody was introduced to her to now a total grown up knockout.”

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2. Life in Nashville: Floods & Frustrations

[01:39–03:38]

• Diana now lives in Nashville and describes the severity of recent flooding, which went underreported.
• Quote (Diana, 01:50): “Nobody knows the devastation – it rivals Katrina… the Cumberland river was 50ft over the flood line… neighborhoods are gone, people lost homes, lost everything.”
• Personal Story (Diana): A friend escaped a flooded house with his dog on a kayak.
• Hosts and guest Ace Young (also from Nashville) express frustration that national media focused elsewhere.
• Diana shares her own personal losses and the strangeness of experiencing disaster from afar via social media and calls.
• Quote (Diana, 03:05): “I turned on the news and can’t find anything about it… Nobody knew about it.”

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3. Juggling Friendship and Fame

[03:38–03:56]

• Diana misses Atlanta, apologizes to her friends for her absence due to her demanding theater schedule.
• She does eight shows a week with only Mondays off, which leaves little energy for travel or socializing.

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4. Broadway Breakthrough: Hair, Nudity, & Art

[04:01–07:20]

• Diana reveals she’s starring in Hair on Broadway, alongside Ace Young, marking the first time two American Idol alums co-star in a Broadway show.
• Quote (Diana, 04:08): “I am currently in Hair on Broadway… with Mr. Ace Young. It’s the first time two American Idols have been on a Broadway show.”
• The cast’s nude scene is discussed, both as a rite of passage and an artistic challenge.
• On Performing Nude: Diana describes their final dress rehearsal and the nerves leading up to disrobing.
  • Quote (Diana, 04:52): “It was the most terrifying but biggest adrenaline rush ever... you’re doing a whole number feeling like... I kind of feel dirty. And the audience was... our assistant director. ...We just got naked. We just got naked.”
• Diana reassures nudity is never required; participation is a personal decision driven by the show’s themes, not spectacle.
  • Quote (Diana, 06:24): “It was always optional… First impression, I said, not, no, but, hell, no, I’m not… But then I got to learn Sheila [her role]... and I was like, no, she would be the one leading this.”
• The nudity is framed as integral to the show’s message of freedom and ensemble storytelling, NOT to sensationalize.
  • Quote (Diana, 06:24): “It’s about the tribe… Ace and I are just a part of the tribe.”
• Memorable Moment (06:15): Eating lunch backstage in robes post-nude scene, marveling, “This is Broadway.”

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5. Theater, Audience, & Cultural Connections

[07:50–08:31]

• Diana on how Hair connects audiences old and young:
  • Some relive the 1960s; others learn about the Vietnam War through the show.
  • She notes generational shifts in how war and media are experienced.
  • Quote (Diana, 07:53): “The whole audience is invited to come up and dance… people crying… some people lived the 60s… then you have kids that didn’t even know what the Vietnam War was about.”

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6. Behind the Curtain: American Idol Memories

[08:31–10:11]

• Diana reflects on her experience as a 16-year-old competition finalist:
  • The finale is described as an adrenaline-fueled blur, with little time to process pressure or nerves.
  • Quote (Diana, 08:45): “Looking back, there are definitely chunks of it. I’m like, what did I even do? I don’t even remember because there’s so much going on and so much pressure.”
  • She recalls the post-performance relief and voting for herself.
    • Quote (Diana, 09:30): “I did my best. I’m gonna go home and vote for myself now. Hey, everybody does it.”
  • Contrasts the event to sports: contestants are kept busy with rehearsals, not left waiting in green rooms.
    • “You’re having to do camera blocking... working with band… technical side at the same time.”

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7. Humorous Wrap–Up: Nudity, Future Plans, and Goodbyes

[10:19–10:33]

• Diana jokingly suggests reuniting in Atlanta for a “naked lunch” or a trip to a nudist colony.
  • Quote (Diana, 10:19): “Maybe we should go to a nudist colony or something. Alright. Family trip. Done!”
• Warm farewells, with promises to reconnect in person.

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Notable Quotes & Moments Table

| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote/Description | |-----------|------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 01:10 | Melissa | “She looks absolutely stunning… now a total grown up knockout.” | | 01:50 | Diana DeGarmo | “Nobody knows the devastation – it rivals Katrina… neighborhoods are gone…” | | 04:08 | Diana DeGarmo | “I am currently in Hair on Broadway… with Mr. Ace Young.” | | 04:52 | Diana DeGarmo | “...the most terrifying but biggest adrenaline rush ever… Oh my God, I’m naked.” | | 06:24 | Diana DeGarmo | “It was always optional… [Sheila] would be the one leading this.” | | 07:53 | Diana DeGarmo | “People crying… some lived the 60s… kids are learning about the Vietnam War.” | | 08:45 | Diana DeGarmo | “Looking back, there are definitely chunks of it... there’s so much pressure.” | | 09:30 | Diana DeGarmo | “I did my best. I’m gonna go home and vote for myself now. Hey, everybody does it.” | | 10:19 | Diana DeGarmo | “Maybe we should go to a nudist colony or something. Alright. Family trip. Done!” |

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Summary Takeaways

• Diana DeGarmo has transitioned from teen American Idol notoriety to a thriving Broadway career, taking on bold, artistic challenges.
• The Nashville floods deeply affected her and her community, a story under-reported in the media.
• Her Broadway work, especially in Hair, pushes boundaries but is anchored in artistic intent, not shock value.
• Diana’s reflections on American Idol reveal the intensity and surreal speed of the experience for young contestants.
• The episode is peppered with humor, warmth, and the easy camaraderie shared between Diana and the Bert Show crew.

Ideal For:
Anyone interested in American Idol alumni journeys, Broadway behind-the-scenes, living through natural disasters, or simply seeking an engaging, funny, and heartfelt celebrity conversation.

Transcript

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[Radio Host Burt]

The Birch Show Q100 and the Bert show in LA for the finale of American Idol was really good to see Diana DeGarmo. Really good here.

[Radio Host Melissa]

So cool.

[Radio Host Burt]

She's changed a lot.

[Radio Host Melissa]

She has great grown up and you're right, she looks absolutely stunning. When we got to see her on the red carpet, I mean she just is a knockout. I mean she went from this like 16 year old girl on American Idol when everybody was introduced to her to now a total grown up knockout.

[Radio Host Burt]

And I mean she has to be in good shape because she's going to tell you right here that she's getting naked every, every night on stage in New York City. Yep, here's Diana DeGarmo on the Burt Show Q100. So it took us to come out to LA to see Diana de Garmo.

[Diana DeGarmo]

She lives in Atlanta. I feel bad. I feel like I really have not seen Atlanta enough in the past couple years. I've been unfortunately moved to Nashville.

[Radio Host Melissa]

How did you survive the floods?

[Diana DeGarmo]

Well, luckily my basement only flooded. My basement flooded, not my actual home. And I did lose some stuff. But the hard part is not seeing anything about it on the news. Nobody knows that the devastation, it rivals Katrina. That's what it looks like. It does. I mean, the Cumberland river was 50ft over the flood line and people lost, neighborhoods are gone, people lost homes, lost everything. And I had a friend who floated out of his house on his kayak with his dog in his lap.

[Radio Host Burt]

Get out of here. Really. You know Melissa's from Nashville.

[Radio Host Ace Young]

Yeah, I'm from Nashville. And so my family, much like you, did not Suffer too much damage. But, yeah, my sister was somehow devastating. It was. And I think there is a frustration in Nashville because you see the pictures. But I think the Gulf, you know, the Gulf and all the oil, I think, took over the story. Oh, yeah. And. And I do. I can understand the frustration because it was really ugly.

[Diana DeGarmo]

Yeah. And it took, you know, took the Obama administration how many days to actually call it a disaster area? I'm like, do you really see the Grand Ole Opry is underwater. You can't see the seats. The stadium. The Titan stadium was a big swimming pool. It went up to, I think, like, the fifth or sixth row.

[Radio Host Burt]

Especially when it's your own hometown. Like, you see, I've never had any kind of devastation like that. In our own town. When it's your own home city like that, you must walk out the door and go, I can't believe this is part of my life right here.

[Diana DeGarmo]

It was so jarring. And when it happened, I was in New York, and so I'm getting phone calls from my roommates, and they were like, the whole city is flooding. And I was like, what? And they were like, no, literally, the whole city is underwater. And I turned on the news and can't find anything about it on the news. I have friends that are, like, tagging me on Facebook and, like, showing pictures of I24 with semis underwater, and nobody knew about it, and I had to go down and, you know, my mom went through all my stuff and then tried to salvage what we could, but gave up the rest of it. But I'll be back there in a couple weeks to clean up some more.

[Radio Host Burt]

You missing Atlanta?

[Diana DeGarmo]

I do. I haven't been in so long. I have so many wonderful friends there, and they think I've just turned you guys away. I'm sorry.

[Radio Host Melissa]

I'm sorry.

[Diana DeGarmo]

It's so hard to just do anything. You know, the show I'm in now, it's eight shows a week, six days a week. So our only day off is Monday, and that's usually when I just want to sleep.

[Radio Host Burt]

Yeah, no doubt. There's no doubt. So the show is in Nashville.

[Diana DeGarmo]

Oh, no. You guys don't know this yet?

[Radio Host Melissa]

No.

[Diana DeGarmo]

Dun, dun, dun, dun. I am currently in Hair on Broadway.

[Radio Host Burt]

Okay.

[Diana DeGarmo]

Congratulations. With Mr. Ace Young. It's the first time two American idols have been on a Broadway show. I do get naked every night.

[Radio Host Melissa]

Do you really?

[Diana DeGarmo]

Well, putting that out there, because I know it's gonna be asked sooner or later. Really hot.

[Radio Host Ace Young]

Yeah. With hair. Yeah. There's nud.

[Radio Host Melissa]

It's beautiful.

[Radio Host Burt]

Though, like, entirely nude.

[Diana DeGarmo]

Mm.

[Radio Host Ace Young]

Whoa. It is.

[Diana DeGarmo]

But it's not like we're standing in there and, like, this huge, bright, white light is on us, and we're all like, hey, this show is so gorgeous. And everything from the lighting to the music to the costumes to the whole story that we're telling is gorgeous. And when it happens, you don't expect it. And then next thing you know, we're all gone.

[Radio Host Melissa]

I want to know about day one in rehearsals for that. The first time you had to actually do it, what you were feeling like,

[Diana DeGarmo]

it was the most terrifying but biggest adrenaline rush ever. It was our final dress rehearsal in the theater because they actually replaced the entire cast. They sent the original Broadway company to the West End, and they recast the entire show. So Ace and I are one of, like, 26 new people that loved the show in three weeks. It was crazy. But our final dress rehearsal, we are in our little bee in costumes, and you're nude under your costumes, and so you're doing a whole number feeling like. I kind of feel kind of dirty. And the audience was. There was nobody in the audience except our. Our assistant director. So the first time, Ace and I had to go back, and we're, like, looking. Staring each other down, giving the look of, you better not look down. You better not look down. You better not look down. You better not look down. And we're slowly just undressing, but you're singing, beads, flowers, freedom, happiness. It's the words just get you through it. And you're out there standing, and you're just like, oh, my God, I'm naked. Oh, my God, I'm naked. Oh, my God, I'm naked. I'm singing this huge note, like, freedom. And then the siren goes off, and we, like, book it off stage. Everyone's, like, throwing their robes on, and we're like, did you just. We just did that. We just got naked. We just got naked. And the funny thing was, the first time we did it, we broke for lunch right at that time, and so everybody is in their robes in the lobby completely, you know, naked underneath the robes, just sitting there eating sandwiches and chit chatting. I was like, wow, this is amazing. This is Broadway.

[Radio Host Burt]

This is amazing.

[Diana DeGarmo]

This is theater. Yeah. It's a great thing because it is art, which is nice when you have

[Radio Host Burt]

it, to audition for it. Did you know that this was part of the show?

[Diana DeGarmo]

I did know it was part of the show. But, you know, the good thing is that it was always optional. There was no pressure from anyone to ever do it. And the more and more I got into rehearsals because my first impression, I said, not, no, but, hell, no, I'm not. I'm not getting naked. I'm known for being America's sweetheart. I can't do that. But granted, the show probably ride. My shirt ripped off. It's another thing. But then I got to learn Sheila. I play Sheila Franklin, who I get to sing Easy to Be Hard and Good Morning Starshine, these hugely iconic pop songs. And the more I learned about her and her protester, I was like, no, she would be the one leading this. She would be the one that was standing there. And I'm not in the very, very front, but I am a part of it. Because we also didn't want it to become about, oh, come see some naked American Idols. That's not what it's about. It's about the tribe. And when you see the show, Ace and I are just. We're just a part of the tribe. I'm Sheila, and he's Burger, and the side of us you get to see is really cool, and I think will open up a lot of people's minds.

[Radio Host Burt]

You know, Burt has a tremendous issue with nudity.

[Diana DeGarmo]

Yeah. Like, phobia.

[Commercial Announcer]

He would not do the show.

[Radio Host Burt]

Yeah. Seriously, I would turn that. I would never go to audition. I can't even be. No kidding. I can't even be naked in my own house alone, really. It's sad, isn't it?

[Diana DeGarmo]

You need to work on that, man.

[Radio Host Burt]

I know.

[Commercial Announcer]

Right now.

[Diana DeGarmo]

Come on. I'll get naked. You show me yours, I'll show you mine.

[Radio Host Ace Young]

Okay.

[Diana DeGarmo]

I do it every night for 1500

[Radio Host Burt]

people,

[Diana DeGarmo]

but, yeah, good for you, though.

[Radio Host Burt]

That's. Congratulations. I mean, that's got to feel great.

[Diana DeGarmo]

It's fun, and it's great to be in an amazing show that tells a great story, and we have so many people come and just love it, and we have a blast. Literally, the whole audience is invited to come up and dance on stage with us. So you see people crying because some people, like, you know, lived the 60s and they're reliving their childhood or these certain times of their life. And then you have kids that have never even knew what the Vietnam War was about and are learning so much, and they're like, wow, we were in this war. I was like, oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. And it was all over the news. Like, people saw people dying on tv, and I think that's why there's so much. So much censorship now on our current wars.

[Radio Host Burt]

Getting. Getting back to the more superficial in the American Idol. I mean, this night was you. I mean, you've been in this position before. So explain, Give us some insight. Like what it's like the day that you're about to compete. It's a blur to win or lose this thing. Is it. Is it a blur for you now?

[Diana DeGarmo]

It is. I mean, looking back, there are definitely chunks of it. I'm like, what did I even do? I don't even remember because there's so much going on and there's so much pressure. But at the same time, you're trying to tell yourself, don't freak out, even though you are.

[Radio Host Burt]

And you're so young.

[Diana DeGarmo]

Yeah, yeah. Being 16 was. That was a whole nother bag of potatoes. But it's crazy. It goes by really quickly. And the good thing is, once Tuesday's over, you know that you can't do any more. So you can enjoy Wednesday a little better. You're like, I either won or lost. Either way, the flip of the coin, I can't do anything about it now. I'm gonna enjoy myself. But leading up to this, there are so many rehearsals with. Because they bring everybody back. And, like, you know, Wednesday night show is, like, ginormous.

[Radio Host Burt]

And so Tuesday, you're not just sitting around, like, in your hotel room, you're rehearsing all day. So you don't really have even time to be nervous.

[Diana DeGarmo]

No, not really. I mean, literally. And it was funny because I remember when we did the show Tuesday, I do remember, like, singing and then being kind of like, oh, the show's. Oh, it's over. Oh, okay. Well, I did my best. I'm gonna go home and vote for myself now. Hey, everybody does it. I'm not the only one.

[Radio Host Ace Young]

Awesome.

[Diana DeGarmo]

You're like, my five votes. My five texts might actually make it happen.

[Radio Host Burt]

Well, I had no idea. Like, I assumed it was almost like a football game where you're sitting around in the locker room all day waiting for kickoff.

[Diana DeGarmo]

No, no. And also, it's such a huge production when you bring it to a bigger theater that you're having to do camera blocking. Working with a band, sometimes they have orchestra. You know, full orchestras come, and so you're having to work with the technical side on the same time.

[Radio Host Burt]

Gotcha.

[Radio Host Ace Young]

Cool.

[Radio Host Burt]

Well, thanks for hanging out. I mean, it's a shame that it's taking us to get to LA to see you again. But, you know, who knows? Maybe one day we'll end up in Nashville and we'll see you there.

[Diana DeGarmo]

Oh, and I'll come back down to Atlanta one day and just surprise you guys take Bert out to naked lunch or something? Maybe we should go to a nudist colony or something.

[Radio Host Burt]

Okay.

[Radio Host Ace Young]

Yeah.

[Diana DeGarmo]

All right. Family trip done.

[Radio Host Burt]

Good seeing you.

[Diana DeGarmo]

Good seeing you.

[Commercial Announcer]

The bird show.

[Diana DeGarmo]

Hey, everybody.

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