When this perky 19-year-old country singer from North Carolina initially made it to
American Idol's top 10 in 2006, judge Simon Cowell predicted she would see the competition through to the end. But despite her all-American good looks, powerhouse voice and harrowing sob story — MIA mom, jailed dad — the bubbly blonde finished sixth. Although some viewers found her naiveté charming (she routinely mispronounced words and asked the definitions of "calamari," "salmon" and "minx"), many more found Pickler's gaffs downright embarrassing and questioned whether she was only pretending to be a Jessica Simpson-style dimwit. Ultimately, her overwrought and off-pitch vocals got her the boot. Yet even though she didn't even make the top five, she still caught the eye of the entertainment industry, landing a record deal and releasing her first album, the appropriately titled
Small Town Girl, in October 2006. In addition, a sitcom based on her persona is reportedly currently in development.
Kellie Pickler Fast Facts:
- Won the 2004 Miss Stanly County Pageant and moved on to the Miss North Carolina Pageant, becoming its youngest competitor at age 17.
- Never flew in a plane until her trip to Hollywood to appear on the fifth season of American Idol.
- Favorite female performer is former American Idol star Kelly Clarkson; favorite male performer is Keith Urban.
- Was greeted by a parade and thousands of well-wishers upon her return to Albermarle, NC, in May 2006, including her father, ex-con Clyde "Bo" Pickler, from whom she had been estranged.
- Was romantically linked to former American Idol contestant Constantine Maroulis, but she denied the rumors.
- Was a bridesmaid at Katharine McPhee's February 2, 2008 wedding to Nick Cokas.
- Kellie Pickler Relationships:
- Clyde 'Bo' Pickler Jr. - Father
- Clyde Pickler Sr. - Grandfather
- Cynthia Morton - Mother
- Eric - Brother
- Faye Pickler - Grandmother
- Jordin Tootoo - Ex-significant Other
- Ken Morton - Grandfather
- College:
- Attended Stanly Community College, Albemarle, NC
