"Chicken Soup" Author Talks About Working With the Idols

Ever since season one, Debra Poneman had been such an avid American Idol fan that she actually e-mailed reviews to her friends after every show ?Õ? complete with editorial comment. Only one of her friends responded with her own counter-reviews, and that was Marci Shimoff, New York Times best-selling co-author of Chicken Soup for the Women?Õ?s Soul and Chicken Soup for the Mother?Õ?s Soul. Feeling that the re-caps they were sending one another were so inspired that they were worthy of the public eye, the idea for Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul was born. As Marci was busy penning another book of her own, the happy task fell to Debra of interviewing Idols from every season (as well as back-stage crew members, judges and fans). She then helped them write and edit their own stories for this just released book that features stories unlike any others, since they are in the Idol?Õ?s own words. As Debra explains, "I thought I knew everything there was to know about the Idols from watching the shows and reading magazines and blogs. When I started working with them and they started telling me their stories I spent half my time in tears. I also discovered what we?Õ?ve suspected all along -- that these are not just talented singers, but unbelievable human beings. They touch our lives with the beauty of their voices because it reflects the beauty of their souls. When people read the stories in this book about the obstacles these Idols had to overcome to be where they are today, it will really give everyone hope and belief in the power of the human spirit. That?Õ?s the purpose of this book ?Õ? not just to share the Idol?Õ?s amazing stories, but to help people see they shouldn?Õ?t give up on their own dreams no matter how impossible they seem." When Debra was asked which was her favorite Idol?Õ?s story in the book, anyone who has read it won?Õ?t be surprised by her answer ?Õ? her favorite was the story she was working on at the time. She says that one story touches your heart more than the next. When pressed, she did admit that she especially loved Carmen Rasmusen?Õ?s, Scott Savol?Õ?s, Nikki McKibbin?Õ?s, Jordin?Õ?s, Clay?Õ?s?ÕÝ.and then there was Melinda?Õ?s?ÕÝ.and Sanjaya?Õ?s?ÕÝ.and Vonzell Solomon's?ÕÝand?ÕÝ. Vonzell's story, entitled "My Earth Angel," was about a 10-year-old girl named Madison, who was diagnosed with Ewing's sarcoma. With doctors giving her not long to live, her wish was to come see Vonzell and the rest of the Idols perform during a taping of the live show. Vonzell's father approached a local restaurant, Leapin' Lizard, to help raise the money to get Madison and her family to L.A., and they gladly did so. Madison not only saw the Idols live, but was invited backstage and then out to dinner with Vonzell. Miraculously, Madison is now thirteen years old and a three-time cancer survivor! Debra said that every fan story either moved her to tears or laughter. She loved the charming story of little Macello Rossi who picked Carrie Underwood as the winner the first time he heard her ?Õ? and that was before he could even talk! Debra said that she ?Õ?laughed until she cried?Õ? over the story of the suburban housewife who became addicted to Idol even though Simon Cowell made her little daughters cry. She also loved the story called ?Õ?One Simple Word?Õ? written by the mother of four year old Mackenzie Johnson. Leukemia ravaged her body but her love for Ace Young kept her little soul alive. Not only did she get to go backstage during the Idols tour to meet Ace but shortly thereafter Ace showed up at her hospital bed. When Mackenzie's mother asked if she had one wish what it would be, without skipping a beat, Mack said, "I want to mawee Ace." What was even more amazing to Debra were some of the obstacles that had to be overcome by the people "behind the scenes." Makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy's tells the account of her family?Õ?s escape from Afghanistan by foot in the black of night during the turbulent time of the Soviet invasion. She followed this with the story of what she did to eventually become the make-up artist for some of the most recognized faces in the world. Had she not escaped she would live in a country where woman are required to cover their faces. Hair stylist Dean Banowetz shares how, although he was the thirteenth of fifteen children growing up on a farm in Iowa, he made it to LA and now does hair for some of the biggest stars in the industry. Lovable judge Paula Abdul grew up too poor to take dance lessons, so she would stand in the lobby, watch her friends as they took their lessons, and imitate their moves. Even Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe tells a rags to riches story. His father was a dock worker outside of Liverpool, England, and Nigel?Õ?s love for dancing was considered totally unacceptable in his working class world. He tells how he took up boxing to prove his masculinity and how he eventually earned his father?Õ?s respect. What stood out to Debra even more than the stories of the obstacles that so many of the crew members had to overcome in their own lives was the obvious love, respect and admiration the crew members had for each other ?Õ? and for the Idols. Almost every crew member told a story of the sadness they experienced after someone that they had grown close with was eliminated. The Idols felt the same way about those who worked with them to make sure they sang and looked their best. Not surprisingly, many of the Idols talked fondly about Paula Abdul and the warmth she showed them during trying times. However, Debra said she was shocked to hear so many Idols recall warm memories of judge Simon Cowell! They shared that when the cameras were off, Simon would usually be the first one to console a departing Idol and tell them not to give up on their dreams. They even said, believe it or not, that he was the one who would greet their family members, remembering the smallest detail that an Idol had shared about their mom or grandma or brother. By working with the Idols and crew on their stories for Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul, she looks at all of the Idols and crew in a new light ?Õ? that is even brighter than before.