Kimberly Caldwell

Thanks to her fearless performances and sultry country-rocker chic looks, Kimberly Caldwell nabbed a spot in the limelight as a season two finalist on "American Idol" (Fox, 2002-16) before jumpstarting her career as a television correspondent. Born on Feb. 25, 1982 in Katy, TX, Kimberly Caldwell began singing in public when she was only five years old. Her passion for performing led to years on the beauty pageant circuit between the ages of five and nine. Caldwell then entered and won five times as a junior vocalist on the popular talent competition show "Star Search" (CBS, 1983-1995). At 12, the budding star landed a gig on a singing revue called "Country Tonite," where she covered country favorites throughout Branson, MO. After touring with the group for three years, Caldwell competed as part of a singing group on "Popstars: USA" (The WB, 2001-02). She was, however, voted off but was encouraged by the show's producers to pursue a career as a soloist. She took that advice to heart and set her eyes on yet another talent show. In 2002, Caldwell belted out Melissa Etheridge's "Come To My Window" (1994) during her audition for the second season of the hit reality competition series "American Idol" and with that performance, made it all the way to the semi-finals round in Hollywood.