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CNN Live At Daybreak

Interview with Tracy St. George

Aired September 05, 2002 - 06:39   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: She wowed American viewers with her voice. Now, Kelly Clarkson has become the next "American Idol." The 20-year-old from Burleson, Texas beat out rival, Justin Guarini, last night for the big title. Clarkson wins a $1 million recording contract.
Kelly Clarkson was just more -- was just one of more than 10,000 pop star hopefuls who sang their hearts out in the hopes of becoming the next "American Idol."

Clarkson talked about what it was like on stage as her name was announced.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

KELLY CLARKSON, "AMERICAN IDOL" WINNER: I didn't actually hear them actually say I won. I actually found out -- Justin hugged me. He said, "Congratulations." Because the audience (UNINTELLIGIBLE). I'm kind of like -- I'm just standing there. I (UNINTELLIGIBLE) I don't know, but, Kelly, like you're the winner, and I'm like, no, you know.

I credit God. Oh, God, and yes, the Lord is -- he is a wonderful thing. So many of these people are talented, and if you didn't hear the choir behind me during the last song, which you probably did, because I was crying. But I mean, you know, so many people are talented, and for God to choose me to be one -- and other nine, because I'm telling you, you're going to hear from them.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: Justin Guarini took the runner-up spot during last night's "American Idol" finale, of course. The bushy-haired singer says Kelly Clarkson deserved to win.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

JUSTIN GUARINI, "AMERICAN IDOL" RUNNER-UP: I think Kelly Clarkson deserves it, and (UNINTELLIGIBLE) those are her songs. I can't sing those songs nearly as good as she can, believe me. And those are hers, and I couldn't be happier, because she deserves it.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

COSTELLO: With more on "American Idol" and other "Hollywood Buzz," we are joined by our friend, Tracy St. George, of Atlanta's Q- 100 radio. Good morning, Tracy.

TRACY ST. GEORGE, Q-100 ATLANTA: Good morning. Did you watch it last night?

COSTELLO: No, I fell asleep.

ST. GEORGE: No, you didn't, you couldn't! It was three months' worth of -- 25 shows, 10,000 hopefuls, Kelly wins it. It was huge. I loved it.

COSTELLO: And I missed it. You know, a lot of people have been e-mailing, saying who cares? But a lot of people did.

ST. GEORGE: A lot of people cared. I watched three hours' worth of it last night, because it was on. Of course, the show was two hours. Then, I watched "E! News Live" with Jules and Steve. I watched that for a whole hour. There were so many stars that it was unbelievable. Roseanne was there. Tiffany was there. Ray Romano with his whole family -- I mean, the world has been taken by this.

COSTELLO: That's just crazy. And 15 million people cast their votes...

ST. GEORGE: Yes!

COSTELLO: ... for one or the other, Justin or Kelly.

ST. GEORGE: I didn't get to. I tried the other day, but it was busy. And I tried like eight times, and I was like, oh, forget it.

COSTELLO: There's a bit of controversy brewing, because Kelly -- well, actually the winner of "American Idol," which just happens to be Kelly now...

ST. GEORGE: Right.

COSTELLO: ... is going to sing on September 11 at the Lincoln Memorial during the ceremony.

ST. GEORGE: Yes.

COSTELLO: And a lot of people say that's just like cheap commercialism, like insulting the memory of September 11.

ST. GEORGE: I don't think so. I think she's a great talent. I think she's really gracious. I think she's a really cool girl, and I'd love to see her. And she's actually going to be in Atlanta on October 21, because the top 10 stars are going on a whirlwind tour, like a 28 city-arena tour for the 10 finalists.

COSTELLO: Unbelievable.

ST. GEORGE: So I can't wait to see that.

COSTELLO: And there is already a CD out. ST. GEORGE: Yes, a CD out, a DVD out. They have "American Idol II" already in the works. So we love it.

COSTELLO: That's just crazy! You know, you said something interesting to me off the air about Simon, because he's really the big winner in all of this, isn't he?

ST. GEORGE: Yes, exactly, more so than Kelly and Justin. He's getting lots of movie deals that are being offered to him. Also, they want to make a toy, a Simon doll.

COSTELLO: Get out!

ST. GEORGE: Yes. And I don't know who would want the Simon doll...

COSTELLO: And you pull the string, and he says lots of mean things about you?

ST. GEORGE: Exactly. It makes you feel real good.

COSTELLO: Like, "Your hair looks bad."

ST. GEORGE: Exactly. We can always wait and see for that.

COSTELLO: Well, it's -- he has an amazing story, because he was sort of washed up in England.

ST. GEORGE: Oh, really? I didn't know that.

COSTELLO: Yes. And he's one of the producers of "American Idol," and that's why he's going to sign on to be a critic in the next "American Idol." But what about Paula Abdul and the other guy no one talks about?

ST. GEORGE: Yes, who -- I don't even know where he came from.

COSTELLO: Who is the third judge? I don't know.

ST. GEORGE: But maybe Paula Abdul will do another video with a cartoon cat. I don't know. But she is so cute. I hope she stays around, because I really do like her. She is so peppy and cute.

COSTELLO: Yes. Why don't they just sign on the same judge? I don't understand it.

OK, what do you attribute the popularity of this show to, and the copycats that are now coming out?

ST. GEORGE: I think it's just all of that reality stuff. People like to have their hands in the pot. You know, they want to say what's going to be going on with this stuff. So like "Survivor," we like to vote off the people, and we like to, you know, make people feel bad.

COSTELLO: Yes, and they're actually... ST. GEORGE: You stink! Get out of here.

COSTELLO: And you actually say there's going to be a new "Star Search."

ST. GEORGE: Yes, there is. It's going to be called -- I think Dreamgirls" is actually going to be one of them. A new "Star Search" is coming out. I don't know if Ed McMahon is going to be doing that, but that's going to be out. They also want to do a remake of "The Monkeys."

COSTELLO: Get out!

ST. GEORGE: Yes.

COSTELLO: And they're going to like look for some fake singers and make a fake band?

ST. GEORGE: Exactly! People playing the keyboards...

COSTELLO: Well, see...

ST. GEORGE: ... drums.

COSTELLO: ... the nice thing about the "Monkeys," though, is because we never knew they were fake singers.

ST. GEORGE: Yes, until later on, and we're like, OK. Yes.

COSTELLO: They really couldn't sing. It was just a bunch of cute guys.

ST. GEORGE: They could sing. They couldn't play the instruments. They could really sing, couldn't they?

COSTELLO: I don't know.

ST. GEORGE: Wait a minute.

COSTELLO: Davey, what's his face?

ST. GEORGE: Davey Jones. Hello, Davey.

COSTELLO: He was a hot one.

ST. GEORGE: He was. He was cute. I liked him.

COSTELLO: It's degenerating over here, Chad.

CHAD MYERS, METEOROLOGIST: I liked the Cars (ph).

COSTELLO: Yes.

(CROSSTALK)

ST. GEORGE: (UNINTELLIGIBLE) was awesome. COSTELLO: "The Monkeys" are (ph).

Thank you, Tracy.

ST. GEORGE: Thank you.

(CROSSTALK)

COSTELLO: We'll check back with you next Thursday.

ST. GEORGE: It sounds great, thanks.

COSTELLO: It was fun.

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