Nikki McKibbin

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Nikki McKibbin
Nikki McKibbin
Nikki McKibbin
Background information
Born September 28, 1978
Origin Grand Prairie, Texas, United States
Genre(s) Rock, Pop
Occupation(s) Singer, Songwriter
Years active 2002, 2005—present
Label(s) Chenoa Records (2005-Present)
RCA Records (2002-2003)
Website NikkiMcKibbin.com

Nikki McKibbin (born Katherine Nicole McKibbin on September 28, 1978 in Grand Prairie, Texas, USA) is an American singer who finished third in the 2002 debut season of American Idol. Prior to American Idol, McKibbin was one of the top twenty finalists in the first season of Popstars.

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[edit] Early life

In high school, McKibbin was a cheerleader. Growing up people would tease her for her style. After American Idol she would remark how she thought it was funny that she got praised for her originality on the show but made fun of for it in Texas. After high school she went to and graduated from cosmetology school. She also joined the business world and founded Angelfire Productions, a karaoke company, which did very well for her until she sold it in 2005 to focus on her music career. She would often sing at the Dallas Coyote Ugly Bar.

McKibbin has a son named Tristen. She never married his father, but had a brief marriage which ended in early 2002. She has struggled with money, and at one point was a stripper. She said she's not ashamed of this, and did what she had to do to take care of her son.

[edit] American Idol

Nikki McKibbin performing on American Idol
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Nikki McKibbin performing on American Idol

In 2002, Nikki auditioned for the show American Idol, earning a spot in the finals. According to the American Idol archives, McKibbin was the first finalist to sing rock in the competition. While on American Idol, McKibbin escaped elimination on several occasions. However, her performances of "Mary Jane," by Alanis Morissette, and "I'm the Only One," by Melissa Etheridge earned the plucky red-head praise and a spot in the final three with eventual winner Kelly Clarkson and runner-up Justin Guarini. Nikki also set a record by being in the bottom three or two five times, a record that still stands as of 2006.

[edit] Post-Idol career to Present

Immediately following her stint on American Idol, McKibbin signed with 19 Management and RCA Records. They urged her to record a Country album, but she was determined to stay true to her rock roots; she rejected the idea saying that her fans had known her and voted for her on the show because she was a rocker not a country singer. The creative differences resulted in no releasable recordings being produced.

In 2004, she appeared on the holiday CD Christmas in a Fishbowl with several other reality stars for Fishbowl.com.

In 2005, McKibbin appeared in several reality shows, including a special "Reality TV Stars" episode of the NBC series Fear Factor, and the sports competition show Battle of the Network Reality Stars in which her team won. She also appeared in the E! Entertainment reality show Kill Reality which documented the filming of The Scorned, a television movie with a cast comprised of reality television stars. McKibbin plays a singer in the film. The movie premiered Oct. 31, 2005. After The Scorned McKibbin was accepted into the Screen Actors Guild.

In May of 2005 McKibbin joined Dallas rock band Downside. They did several shows together including a sold out show at the Hard Rock Cafe in Dallas, but due to creative and personal differences Nikki left the band in September of the same year.

A screencap from Nikki's music video for her single "The Lie"
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A screencap from Nikki's music video for her single "The Lie"

In 2005, it was announced that she is signed to Australian indie label Astral Records, with her rock-influenced album originally intended to be released in February 2006. Recording began with manager/producer Joe Canizarro in December 2005, starting with a cover of "To Be With You" by Mr. Big. The single "The Lie"/"To Be With You" and a limited edition behind-the-scenes DVD can be ordered from her official web site. You can Download "The Lie" and "To Be With You" from Burnlounge.com

McKibbin is represented by managers Joe Canizarro of Chenoa Music in the U.S., and Mike Puska of Astral Records in Australia. Her producers include Canizarro (who also handles U.S. A&R for Astral Records) and Chenoa Music recording artist Annica.

Nikki is currently back in Texas writing songs and working on her album.

[edit] Online radio success

The popular Live365 station just added a third single, "Naked Inside," to its playlist.

[edit] Performances on American Idol

[edit] Discography

[edit] Singles

  1. "To Be With You (Digital Single)" (2006)
  2. "The Lie" (2006)

[edit] Others

  1. American Idol: Greatest Moments (2002)
  2. Christmas in a FishBowl (2004)

[edit] External links

In other languages