Blonde Ambition

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You've had some interesting moments on air, not knowing what a minx or calamari is and mispronouncing salmon. Some people think you were just putting on a dumb blonde act. Were you?
To be honest, that kind of hurt my feelings. I don't think people realize I went from a small town in North Carolina to Los Angeles, so of course there are going to be things I don't know. It did hurt my feelings. But hey, you know, when they're talking about me, they're giving someone else a break.

That's one way to look at it. Did people quote you back to you a lot?
Just, like, at restaurants. They'd ask me if I'd like ''sall-mon'' or calamari. Of course my answer was always ''of course not.'' It's so important to have a sense of humor and to joke around and make fun of yourself. Everyone else does, so I just jumped on the bandwagon.

Next week's theme is one song from your birth year and another current Top 10 Billboard chart hit. What were you planning on singing?
I was going to sing ''You Give Love a Bad Name'' by Bon Jovi, from my birth year of 1986. I had not decided yet on the second one, but it was definitely going to be something country.

No matter what people thought of your singing, they'd have to admit you have a great stage presence. Ever think of pursuing something other than music?
I would love to do TV or film. I am not only going to try to pursue my music career.

Your grandfather and brother were so endearing on the videos a few weeks back when they spoke about you. Were you able to talk to them after you got kicked off?
I talked to my grandpa last night. I didn't talk to my brother because it's a really big time difference, three hours, so Eric is in bed. Grandpa has been supportive from the get-go. He said I didn't have anything to complain about.

Your father, Clyde ''Bo'' Pickler, Jr., is being released from jail on May 19. Will you be heading south to see him?
My grandpa is going down to Florida tomorrow to get everything arranged for that. I'm looking forward to seeing him. He'll be there for the show's finale.

Will you go home to North Carolina?
Not for a while. I'm going to be busy doing interviews and press. Then I'm going to New York on Sunday to do Regis and Kelly and TRL. I want to stay in New York for a little bit in case I never have the opportunity to go to New York again.

It's an incredible city. Anything in particular you want to see?
I would love to go shopping for shoes there because that's my addiction.

Anything else?
I'm, like, a very big people person. I'd love to find a nice spot to sit and watch people.

I hear there's a big park where you can do that. Would you be ready to leave the South and move to New York or Los Angeles if that's what it takes to have a career?
I'm ready for whatever curveball I'm thrown. I'm ready to get on the ball with my career while I'm young, not married, don't have kids, no boyfriend. I don't have anything to lose. I'm ready to relocate wherever. Beggars can't be choosers. Albemarle [N.C.] is where the heart is, but if I pursue anything in music, it would probably be Nashville I'd relocate to. Acting, probably Los Angeles would be the best place.

If all else fails, I'm sure you could get your job back as a roller-skating waitress.
I don't know about that. I might have to, but I really hope those skates are permanently parked.