With one of Texas’ most extravagant parties finally upon us, it seems like American Idol’s Kimberly Caldwell is getting ready to get an eyeful of red. September 28 marks Dallas’ 5th Annual Red Party and the vivacious pop/rock artist will gracefully take the stage as this year’s special guest performer in order to continue advancing the knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention, treatment and counseling services available to those affected by the disease.
After finishing her run on the second season of American Idol in seventh place, Caldwell has been keeping herself extremely busy with a string of unique hosting jobs on the TV Guide Network, MTV, Oxygen and FOX, the release of her 2011 debut album Without Regret, which spawned the dance hit “Desperate Girls & Stupid Boys”, and performing at numerous Pride events across the country this past summer.
While Caldwell was no stranger to reality television before her appearance on American Idol, she currently holds the record for most wins for a junior vocalist on Star Search, this time around millions were able to witness the then 21-year-old compete on a weekly basis, performing against the likes of eventual winner Ruben Studdard and runner-up Clay Aiken.
“When I did ‘American Idol’ I did not know it would be attached to my name for so long”, Caldwell says. “I don’t know if I took it as seriously as I should have. I was more worried about what I was going to wear. If I could go back, I would be more focused.”
During her run, Caldwell bravely performed renditions of iconic tracks such as “Over the Rainbow” by Judy Garland and "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You)" by Bryan Adams, before being sent home at the end of the Top 7 episode where the remaining contestants were asked to perform individual covers of Billy Joel songs.
Even after her elimination, Caldwell continued to remain loyal to the show that jump started her music and hosting careers. She joined her fellow season two finalists on the 44-city American Idol LIVE! tour soon after and became a co-host on “Idol Tonight”, where she had the opportunity of interviewing almost every contestant in the top 12 and 24 of the following seasons. The show is one that Caldwell says she is proud to attach her name to.
While ratings have been steadily slipping for the once juggernaut of a reality singing competition show, losing its steam to The Voice, and choosing to focus more on the panel of eccentric judges, including Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj, instead of the talent appearing on the stage, Caldwell says the show still continues to remain interesting to the public.
"'American Idol' is still doing something right if they keep pulling millions of viewers every year,” she says. When asked if she would join the judges’ table if asked, Caldwell said, “Anyone would be a moron not to.”
Though her season of American Idol ended back in May 2003, Caldwell did not follow in her competitors footsteps by immediately releasing an album. Instead, Caldwell took on numerous hosting jobs following her Idol exit, saying it was her jobs as an entertainment reporter that allowed her to stay in Los Angeles and not move back to her hometown of Katy, Texas.
Caldwell’s first official hosting position was on FOX Sports Network’s extreme sports program 54321, followed by hosting duties on shows including P. Diddy’s Starmakerfor MTV and Oxygen’s Best Ink reality competition series. Though the artist enjoyed being paid to talk, her duties as a host for multiple networks kept pushing back the release date of her long-awaited album.
“I was hosting all day, every day. Sitting down in a studio and recording does not pay,” Caldwell says. “It was a really tough decision.”
Eventually, Caldwell finally made her way into a studio to begin work on her debut release. After signing a joint recording deal with both Vanguard and Capitol Records in 2009, Without Regret was officially scheduled for a 2010 release, but after a fourth delay hit shelves in April 2011, preceded by the release of two singles, “Mess of You” and “Desperate Girls & Stupid Boys”.
“I was hoping that is where my life would take me”, Caldwell says about getting signed and recording the album. “It is a dream come true, but when you are actually living it, it is so much pressure and a lot of anxiety.”
Without Regrets was an 11-track album that would eventually go on to sell only 3,000 copies in its first week of release, sales numbers nobody hopes for. Critics cited the long delay as a setback too hard to overcome. However, the album showcased strong vocals compared to those of P!nk and impressive songwriting, with Caldwell co-writing four of the tracks on the project.
Featuring songs such as “Say Love”, the first track written for the album and one that tells listeners to never stay in a relationship if it does not make them happy, and “Desperate Girls& Stupid Boys”, a song that gave Caldwell her first Billboard chart appearance eight years after her American Idol departure when it peaked at number 30 on the dance chart, the album was a diverse rock/pop experiment that deserved more recognition than it initially received.
“The album was about getting it all out. I turned to writing. The only way I was able to express what I was feeling was through my lyrics,” she says. “It was about a really bad break up, but I’m really over it.”
With possible plans for an extended play release before jumping back into recording her full length sophomore album, Caldwell posted three brand new tracks on her new website to tide her fans over this past summer, including the 80s rock-inspired, party anthem “On the Weekend”.
The new track was written with Caldwell’s own sister and mother in mind. The lyrics are dedicated to those with 9 to 5 jobs who carry stress and remain quite during the week, but turn into a complete badass when the weekend finally rolls around. “It’s just one that stands out to me,” Caldwell says. “With the line ‘I’m a f**king rock star’, I was like ‘We cannot say that, it’s so cheesy’, but if we are in on the joke, it’s awesome.”
On “Tied Together”, another of the three new tracks, the singer discusses her close relationship with her sister and her personal connection with a majority of her fan base. The uplifting, inspirational ballad carries a message of universal love, a sense of equality, which is a cause Caldwell continues to fight for throughout her career.
“We have been on so many journeys together. She came out a year after she moved to LA. The lyrics of the chorus are about being supportive of the gay community”, she says about her sister and LGBT fans. “It’s really hitting home with them. When I perform it, I just want to lose it and cry with them.”
Caldwell has never shied away from her love for the LGBT community. After posing for her own NO H8 portrait by Adam Bouska and performing at Nashville Pride in 2011, the artist had the title of “Queen of Don’t H8” bestowed upon her for her courageous work and continued support for the gay community.
Over the summer, Caldwell made appearances at numerous Pride festivals across the country, including those in Palm Springs, Flagstaff and San Francisco. Besides showcasing her new material to positive reception, the singer had a chance to give back to the people who have given so much support to her artistic expression.
“The gay community has been beyond loyal to me,” Caldwell says. “I feel like a representative for the community, like a straight ally, it lights a fire in me. I always tell people, whether you like me or not, these are my beliefs.”
Caldwell is continuing to show her support by making the long trip back to the great state of Texas for Dallas’ annual Red Party which fights to raise awareness for the HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment options available to those struggling with the disease on a daily basis. Chosen as this year’s special guest performer, following acts including Wynter Gordon, Caldwell will bring her dash of tough, sassy attitude along with an electrifying performance of her hits.
The Texas hospitality and homemade BBQ may be aspects Caldwell is looking forward to during her visit in the Lone Star state, but the commitment and mission of the Red Party Foundation is what drove the artist into accepting the gig in the first place.
Over the past four years, the Red Party has raised over $25,000 for Legacy Counseling & Founders Cottage, which “provides affordable, quality mental healthcare and emotional support services to hundreds of men and women challenged with HIV or AIDS”. This year, the foundation’s goal is to raise the same amount accumulated since its start.
“I am so active in the gay community and very Texas proud, so that is how we came together. It was something I wanted to be involved in,” she says. “There’s quite a few ‘gay’ parties coming up, but the Red Party is the one I am most stoked about.”
As Caldwell takes the Red Party stage, she will do so with the understanding that actions speak louder than words. Other artists claim to respect and fight for the LGBT community by releasing a pro-equality pop track, but the American Idol alumni has been putting her hours in, showcasing her true, bright colors.
“Having a voice, no matter how loud, sometimes just is not enough. We all need to be equal. I scream it at on rooftops that I believe in marriage equality. It needs to be pushed further,” Caldwell says.
While concrete release dates for a future EP or album are still up in the air, Caldwell is keeping herself busy with numerous projects, including working on new music, upcoming live performances and a side custom-made leather handbags business called Stage Presents by Kimberly Caldwell, which she says she is having a blast designing.
No matter what she is pouring her hard work and dedication into, Caldwell has enough experience in the entertainment business to know that you should never give up when it comes to pursuing your dreams. The artist tries to give a million percent to everything that she does and has had to pinch herself a few times to fully grasp the reality of her current life.
“Don’t waver from who you are, represent who you are,” Caldwell says. “Good things will come to you.”
*This feature is to appear as the cover story of Dallas-based Evoke's October issue, out this weekend. This version is the original, unedited copy, written by yours truly!
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