"American Idols" Meet the President

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

What does it take to be given a private tour of the White House by the President of the Untied States? I would guess you would have to be a head of state, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, or at the very least, a friend of the first couple's twin daughters Jenna and Barbara. But, apparently all you need to do (not that I can do it) is to sing well in front of millions week after week.

If you haven't already heard, 10 "American Idol" finalists had the opportunity to "hang" with the president at the White House on Friday. Not only did memorable "American Idol" alums including the show's most recent winner Taylor Hicks, finalists Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry, Kellie Pickler, Ace Young, Mandisa Hundley, Lisa Tucker, and Elliott Yamin receive a tour from the president, they also posed for pictures with him in the Oval Office in between his meeting with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

In return the group presented President Bush with a harmonica engraved with "American Idol 2006." In addition, Hicks brought his own gift to give the leader of the free world-a black T-shirt emblazoned with "Soul Patrol" - the name of Hicks' fan club. Hicks has a personal connection inside the White House: Susan Whitson, Laura Bush's press secretary, taught him ninth grade English at Hoover High School in Birmingham, Alabama.

A Bush spokesperson said that after giving the performers a tour of the Oval Office the president urged the performers to "stick to their beliefs, even if their celebrity status grows."

Now here's the kicker to this entire blog-insiders say it's not clear if President Bush has ever heard any of the of singers belt out a single note, let alone caught a single episode of the show that thrust them into stardom. Asked if he had ever watched "American Idol," the White House could only respond that President Bush was "aware" of it.

Well, at least now my dad can say that he and President Bush have something in common.

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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