By Karu F. Daniels, AOL Black Voices
New-school renaissance woman Kimberley Locke is giving the recording thing another go.
The curvy 'American Idol' season two finalist is planning to release her sophomore opus, titled 'Based on a True Story,' on May 1.
This new music follows a very impressive run as celebrity spokesperson, media personality and newly-crowned restaurateur.
The Tennessee native is still signed to the Warner Music Group associated country music label, Curb Records, but says the new project will have more of an R&B feel.
"It's more pop, R&B, I think," Locke told The BV Newswire during lunch at New York's swanky Red Eye Grill yesterday. "[The first single] 'Change' is along the lines of '8th World Wonder' but we got some great R&B songs on the album which I am really proud of."
Like many who came before her, the bubbly fan favorite is more involved in the recording process the second time around. "I co-wrote nine songs on the album," she gushed. "That was huge for me because I never written before and I was like, 'if these songs are not good, they will not go on my album.'"
"What I wanted to do was to let my fans know that I'm real," she furthered. "I go through the same things that they go through and I wanted to give them a chance to hear that. So I put it in my music. I put the bad stuff and the good stuff in there."
No longer a celebrity spokeswoman for the famous plus-sized clothier Lane Bryant, Locke now endorses the Jenny Craig diet/lifestyle plan and will be featured on the new season of VH1's relentless weight loss competition series 'Celebrity Fit Club,' premiering April 15.
The buxom brunette didn't reveal how much weight she lost (because of contractual obligations with the Viacom owned network) but she looks mighty fine. "I've been losing weight for five months -- it's all just coming together and everything is just perfect," she added.
While previewing tracks from 'True Story,' we dined on seafood, poultry and other five star caliber vittles. Ever the "company woman," Locke even had Jenny Craig cater the yummy dessert portion of the meal, while Godiva furnished us with its premium coffee product Belgian Blends.
Possibly another endorsement deal?
Hmmmm.
"It feels really good because there's a lot of stuff going on ... and the synergy feels good," she commented.
Additionally, Locke is the co-owner of Croton Creek Steak House & Wine Bar in the tony suburbs of Westchester, New York.
A proven hit-maker, who was in the top three on the second season of 'American Idol,' she has scored four Top 10 Billboard hits including two No. 1 songs from her 2004 debut, 'One Love.' For 'True Story' she collaborated with a dream team who've crafted songs for Whitney Houston, Destiny's Child, Jennifer Lopez, Monica and Kelly Clarkson, among others.
And speaking of the very first 'American Idol' winner, the mention of the wildly popular talent competition will follow Locke through her career.
But she doesn't mind.
"I don't really watch the show, and I never really did" she admitted, adding that she's tuned into this season, particular, because she was hired to do commentary for 'Entertainment Weekly' magazine.
So what's her opinion of season six?
"With this season, I don't really know," she gently negotiated. "It's a different season, a different vibe. The kids are younger and the ones that are more mature, it shows and you can tell they've been on the stage."
And what about the finalist that everyone just loves to hate, Sunjaya Malakar???
"All I can say is that there are a group of people out there who are keeping Sunjaya on the show," Locke responded, diplomatically. "I think that's one of the things about 'American Idol' that's also kind of reflective in our industry as well. We have people out there who put out albums who are non-singers and they do well because they have a fan base out there; people just love their personality or love something about them."
She quipped, "Why do you think Paris Hilton is a celebrity, because what does she do?"
Great point.
'Change,' the roll out single from 'True Story,' has become a Top 30 staple on Adult Contemporary radio since its release last month.
1. Kimberly is truly a vivacious and lovely woman who is captivating with her awesome voice and musical style.
The first cut from the new album is a great maturation of Kim as an artist and singer. Its great that she is perfecting her figure as the next step to superstardom is to entice and seduce us with her gorgeous face and figure
David Church at 7:26PM on Mar 16th 2007