Diana DeGarmo’s Young Love

Millions of Americans first got to hear Diana DeGarmo on season three of FOX’s American Idol, where she was the show’s first-runner up, and since then, theater audiences have been treated to her powerful vocals and superb acting in such shows as Hair, The Toxic Avenger, 9 to 5, and Hairspray. These days, she’s back on TV — showing off very different sides of her acting and vocal abilities — as aspiring singer Angelina Veniziano on CBS’ top-rated daytime drama The Young and the Restless. TheaterMania recently caught up with DeGarmo about her new gig.

THEATERMANIA: How did this job come about?
DD: When I finished the 9 to 5 tour, I came to do Hairspray at the Hollywood Bowl, and a few of the writers from Y&R saw me in the show. They had been toying with the idea of creating Angelina, and the next thing I know, I had a job. It was a straight offer. I think it’s a big stepping stone for my career.

TM: How much did you know about Angelina when you started shooting?

DD: The only thing they told me is that she was this gum-popping daughter of a mob boss who wanted to be like Snooki, and that she’s an aspiring singer without the voice she thinks she has. And even now, I don’t even find things out about her until I get a script. I can’t say much, but she’s definitely going to be getting into things I never expected she would. But that’s fine, because if it catches me off-guard, then it catches the audience off-guard. It’s really been a blast.

TM: So far, when you’ve been asked to sing on the show as Angelina, you certainly don’t sound like Diana DeGarmo. What do you do to sound like Angelina?
DD: Naturally, as a trained singer, you hear the melody and beat, so sometimes I just throw in different notes. And I try to put everything in her nose. It actually came as a shock to myself how easily her voice came. The fun part is that Angelina is evolving, and I really do want her to slowly but surely become a better singer. As an actor, I don’t want to make a great singer overnight. But now, when I’m in the studio, she’s a little less bad. Of course, no matter how good she gets, she’ll still sound like Angelina and not Diana, because she’s from New Jersey, and I’m from Georgia. But maybe she’ll have a bit of my flair.

TM: Angelina has quite her own look. How much do the clothes and hair affect your portrayal of her?
DD: Like every character I play, I don’t really become her until I look like her. But I’ve learned that in in comedy there’s no vanity, and since I’m not playing myself, it’s great that her look is so far left from what I would wear. For Angelina, it’s the bigger the better — whether it’s her shoes or eyelashes — she goes overboard and she likes it. And I’m trying to take some of her “I don’t care” attitude and apply it to my own life; I really appreciate her courage.

TM: Have you enjoyed working with this cast — even though you’ve only had scenes with a few of the actors so far?
DD: Absolutely, they’re such great actors. I was so excited to meet Mike Starr, who plays my dad, Angelo. I am a big Dumb and Dumber fan and I loved him in that movie. He could not be more squishy or gooey; he’s a big teddy bear. Working with Judith Chapman (Gloria) is great since we’re both from the South and she does a lot of theater, and I love working with Greg Rikaart (Kevin); we’ve become our own little team and make each other laugh.

TM: What are the differences you’re finding between soaps and theater?
DD: We try to do everything in one take, so that’s similar to theater. And I love that it’s new every day. I found it hard to do the same show eight times a week. I am a Gemini and we get bored easily. I actually think my acting has grown leaps and bounds since being on the show.

TM: Are you finding time to do work outside the show?
DD: Yes, I just did The Hollywood Christmas Parade, which will be shown on Hallmark Channel throughout the holidays, and my boyfriend Ace Young and I just hosted one of the Upright Cabaret shows. And I am really excited that I am going to be on The Price Is Right on Thursday, December 22. They tape right across the hall, and Drew Carey and I did Hairspray together, so he asked if I would present the final showcase that day. The contestants were a little old woman and an army soldier, and I really wanted them both to win.

TM: What about your music? And what about doing theater?
DD: I’ve been recording some secret musical projects, which I’ll debut in 2012. And theater is never far from mind. I will make my way back to New York when I can. I did a reading of this musical Jawbreakers and I fell in love with it, so if it makes it to Broadway, I’ll be back soon!