Kristy Lee Cook's Up Record Deal

Move over Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler, there's a new hot blonde American Idol castoff in town! That's right, Kristy Lee Cook has inked a record deal with 19 Recordings/Arista Nashville to create a country album that will drop later this fall.

Cook, who finished seventh (and was lucky she made it that far considering Simon's constant disses), says, "I've wanted this for so many years. To have the chance to be a country singer - to make the music I love," and promises she'll do her best "to make [fans] proud."

The leggy beauty, who was smart as a Fox to play up her country-loving side to the Idol audience by singing, among other songs, "Proud to Be an American," will release her first single, "15 Minutes of Shame," on August 11.

So, will you be anxiously awaiting Kristy Lee's first single? Do you think the country music scene will suit her talents? - Erin Fox

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