'AMERICAN IDOL' Top prize would be icing on the cake, young finalist says

Diana DeGarmo's family and friends will watch with Georgia's governor.
ATLANTA (AP) -- As "American Idol" fans prepare for one more night of speed-dialing for their favorites, Diana DeGarmo says she already feels like a winner.
"It's crazy to think that of 70,000 people, little me from Snellville, the youngest girl in the competition, has made it this far," DeGarmo said Sunday in a telephone interview. "I'm just so excited to be on such a great show that has helped me in my career, no matter what."
DeGarmo, 16, and Fantasia Barrino, 19, each will sing three songs on the popular Fox TV show tonight. Fans will have four hours, instead of the normal two hours, after the show to cast votes by telephone and the "American Idol" winner will be announced Wednesday night.
Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has invited DeGarmo's family, friends and neighbors from Snellville to the governor's mansion to watch tonight's show and vote, Perdue spokesman Dan McLagan said Sunday. He added that about 300 people are expected to accept the invitation.
Perdue has been impressed with DeGarmo's "comments in the media about family and small-town values," McLagan said.
Last year both "American Idol" finalists -- Clay Aiken and winner Ruben Studdard -- released successful albums.
Immediate plans
DeGarmo already has plans to start work on a record immediately, no matter how she fares in this week's voting. "My plans are definitely just to keep the ball rolling -- don't stop while people know who I am," she said.
DeGarmo completed her junior year at Shiloh High by doing course work between practices and performances in California. With an "American Idol" concert tour beginning in July and running through September, she won't be returning to a normal schedule anytime soon.
Barrino, from High Point, N.C., and DeGarmo share Southern roots as well as a friendship from early in the competition.
DeGarmo says when she and Barrino were told they had made the top 12, "We made a pact we were going to stick together to the end, no matter what, and you know what? It worked."
Mutual admiration
DeGarmo said Barrino "has a beautiful voice, a very unique voice that really makes her Fantasia."
Barrino returned the compliment, saying Sunday that DeGarmo has a "more powerful" voice than pop stars Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera.
"If I heard her sing a song on the radio I'd say, 'There's Diana.' There's nobody like her," Barrino said. DeGarmo has enjoyed strong local support throughout the competition, but tonight the biggest show in town is the Shiloh High School graduation. Her fans are making plans to use "designated callers" instead of bringing cell phones to the graduation, according to the Gwinnett Daily Post.
Barrino and DeGarmo attribute their success to native charm.
"I think Southern people are peppy, happy people no matter what and I think people like to grasp onto that," said 16-year-old DeGarmo. "Southern people are fun, they like to have a good time."
Barrino says she's loved just "for being crazy-old, loud-old, chitlin-eatin' Fantasia."