Home : American Idol : Is Broadway the "American Idol" Graveyard?

Is Broadway the "American Idol" Graveyard?

Posted May 8th 2007 12:07PM by TMZ Staff

The Great White Way is riddled with the discarded musical corpses of former "American Idol" wannabeens of yore.
Anthony Federov, Fantasia Barrino, Diana Degarmo, Frenchie Davis, Constatine Maroulis, Tamyra Gray
As of May 29, Season One finalist Tamyra Gray will join the cast of "Rent" (she previously starred in "Bombay Dreams"), and simultaneously, rejoins the club of former "A.I." contestants who have been making ends meet on Broadway. It's not a J.Hud Oscar but it beats the late shift at Applebees!

Other contest losers trading Hollywood dollar bills for Playbills include: Season Two's impeached diva Frenchie Davis, who has been performing in "Rent" off and on for four years, Season Four's creepy crooner Constantine Maroulis, who hammed it up in "The Wedding Singer" last year, and Anthony Federov (memba him?), who just this month joined the revival of long-time hit, "The Fantasticks." While Diana Degarmo, who came in second on Season Three, took a break from her soccer-mom 'do and non-existent record sales to don a beehive in "Hairspray."

Even Fanatasia Barrino, who actually won "Idol" and at one time sold millions of records, has hit the NYC stage. To her defense, Miss B. has been getting rave reviews and selling out the house as Miss Celie in Oprah's production of "The Color Purple."

So while America may have become immune to the McPheever ("Over It," anyone?), you never know, she may just turn up on Broadway -- in "Kats."

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Tags: Anthony Federov, AnthonyFederov, Constantine Maroulis, ConstantineMaroulis, Diana Degarmo, DianaDegarmo, Fantasia Barrino, FantasiaBarrino, Frenchie Davis, FrenchieDavis, Tamyra Gray, TamyraGray

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31. once upon a time, there was prestige connected to performing on the broadway. in more recent years, however, the 'great white way' has become more of a 'branson, missouri East.' these kids aren't opening shows, they are being plugged into a franchise. i mean, good for them .. they are still in showbiz .. but compared to their dreams of pop stardom, these gigs are a step down for them... kind of like performing on a cruise ship... not there's anything wrong with that either.

Posted at 3:14PM on May 8th 2007 by el polacko

32. Diana Degarmo was FANTASTIC in Hairspray. That girl has a lot of talent and is here to stay. Stop picking on her TMZ. She minds her own business and is good at what she does. Get some class and grow up.

Posted at 3:44PM on May 8th 2007 by NYC

33. I'm so tired of everyone picking on Constantine. He's in Hollywood taping The Bold an the Beautiful.

Posted at 3:56PM on May 8th 2007 by Les

34. I would think that Broadway might actually be the goal of many these American Idols!!! how could you even insinuate anything else?

Posted at 5:10PM on May 8th 2007 by Lynn

35. It takes a whole lot more talent to make it into a Broadway show that it does to pen cryptic remarks , my friend.
and you obviously didn't see Constantine Maroulis in Jacques Brel is Alive and Well..nor did you read the reviews (except for one critic who was not a fan of AI..like you, apparently).
Try being nice..and giving credit to those who have the talent..regardless of how they made it to the Broadway stage.

Posted at 7:21PM on May 8th 2007 by judy

36. I'm from NY and there is nothing wrtong with being on Broadway, I think that's why a lot of the kids go on AI to get a step in the Broadway door. I doubt whether Fantasia would be on Broadway if she hadn't been on AI. Movies are made from Broadway shows, Hollywood actors love to go on Broadway if they are able to do it, some can't. Once you're out on that stage you better be good, there is no retakes. Good for all of them that made it. TMZ, stop taking the weekends off and do some research. Paris Hilton interests no one but Paris Hilton, she is a bore and her mediochre problems are a bore, she'll get out of the hoosegow and have someone ghost write a book for her and make lots of money, I can't feel sorry for her at all. She's a snot.

Posted at 6:17PM on May 8th 2007 by Madeleine

37. I agree Broadwaybaybee, it's hard work and you better be good or you're out. These kids are sharing the stage that greats stood on, Rex Harrison, Ethel Merman, Lili Palmer, Richard Burton, and later Liz Taylor, so many greats and so many wonderful shows. I saw the original Grease on Broadway with Treat Williams , I never forgot it and never enjoyed anything more. American Idol is an audition, it's probably better if you don't win and get stuck with a Clive Davis contract. I don't consider these kids losers and exchanging Hollywood dollars for a play bill is a step up if you ask me. Established Broadway stars make excellent money and these kids are paying their dues right now. I wish them nothing but the best, and whats creepy about Constantine Maroulis? I think he was pretty good compared to some who have followed, he made it to Broadway. Whats in LA? Paris Hilton and Britney Spears? No thanks.

Posted at 6:51PM on May 8th 2007 by Madeleine

38. Broadway is a goal many actors strive for. Most of the greats, Paul Newman and others have performed on Broadway. These Idol kids really are fortunate their fame has led to these roles. Look at the Grease show when all those actors auditioned and worked week after week to be cast in 2 roles. People can put a spin on anything but no one would take this article seriously IMO.

Posted at 8:18PM on May 8th 2007 by Jess

39. Before you guys knock us West Coasters, not all of us march in lockstep with TMZ and some of us actually like live theatre. Remember, "Sunset Boulevard" came from London to L.A., bypassing New York. I was fortunate to see Michael Crawford as the Phantom in LA and Jason Alexander as Bialystock in "The Producers." That being said, it is an honor for an A.I. finalist to be performing on Broadway. Someday Katharine McPhee will be a star on Broadway as "Elphaba" in "Wicked" (one can wish), or "Christine" in Phantom perhaps.

Posted at 9:10PM on May 8th 2007 by Jimmy

40. When did Broadway suddenly become such an easy thing to become a part of...and even more puzzling, so easy to make it into a living?

Posted at 11:40PM on May 8th 2007 by Cuong

41. OMG how can you say this?? Do you know how many humongously talented people are dying to make it on Broadway??? To insinuate that Broadway is a "step down" is just...well, completely crazy. NOTHING beats a good Broadway show for the best entertainment on earth!

Posted at 9:13PM on May 11th 2007 by hoofer

42. #43 - Who said it was easy?! The only people you hear about are the ones who have worked hard to get to where they are. Or the ones who are handed over roles easily because of WHO they are NOT what TALENT they actually have. It's called stunt casting. Do you know how many people there are in NY trying to make it on Broadway...or even Off-Broadway? There are only so many shows....with so many roles.....it's not as easy as you think.

And #8 said it best.....I'd rather have a Tony than any other award out there.

Posted at 12:17PM on May 9th 2007 by Dannie

43. People are so stupid here. Fantasia isn't on broadway because she needs to be. She is on broadway because Oprah Winfrey and TCP came to her with an amazing offer and opportunity and she took it. I highly doubt ANY of the idols who've gone to broadway thus far have gone in with HER deal. She is the star and making millions and getting rave reviews. Idol is to find STARS and fantasia is a true Broadway star and music star. I don't care what you haters say. Why do you think once fantasia took the broadway stage Idol started to "brag" about broadway? because her's is a big deal!

Posted at 8:22AM on May 9th 2007 by Suuuuie

44. #20, I disagree. For the most part idol is finding music stars. Way more idol contestants have put out albums then have taken the broadway stage. I can count on one hand those who've made it to broadway, yet there is a countless number of idols who've had pop hits and albums. So try again.

Just because only a few idols have gone to broadway and have seen success doesn't mean they aren't talented. It is still using singing skills. Plus, I highly doubt kelly clarkson would do broadway, not because she's such a success but I don't think she can act and sing 8 times a week. It takes a bunch of natural talent to be a lead on broadway and carry a show.

Usher is a way bigger success then carrie or kelly and he was on broadway, however, I don't think he did that well either but just using her as an example that even big stars do broadway because it is a dream. they simply don't last at it because it is very hard.

Posted at 8:35AM on May 9th 2007 by Tootiefrutie

45. I have to agree with you about the graveyard thing, TMZ. Sad but seems to be true. Gives me the creeps just thinking about it. Guess Constantine is the only one to be reincarnated into another chance at life so good for him. Fantasia? I'll never wear purple again. And Anthony Federov? Come on; I should slap you TMZ for bringing that memory back. I thought I had forgotten. Sigh. What have I ever done to you to deserve that one! Let me know if you hear of $1 Broadway tickets and I might give them a second chance. Nah; on second thought, I'd rather spend it on Kraft and get some real cheese.

Posted at 7:18PM on May 9th 2007 by Curious George

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