Our series of interviews with contributors to Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul continues with American Idol Stage Manager Debra Williams. Debra began her show-business performing career at the age of two when she started skating in her family act on ice. She went on to perform for fifteen years of ice skating, musical theater, commercials, voice-overs, and dancing on TV variety shows. For the last thirty-two years, Debra has worked behind the camera in live variety television.
Thanks for joining us today, Debra. It's an honor and a pleasure.
Thank you for asking me to be a part of this.
Let's get started by learning a bit more about you. Where did you grow up? Did you travel a lot with your family's show?
I literally grew up on the "road". My mom and dad were performers with the ice shows and when I was born, they simply took me on the road from hotel to hotel. My crib was a dresser drawer that they would put on the floor and my playground was the various dressing rooms back stage. When I began to walk they put me on skates (9 months) and the rink was my playpen (they found that easier than letting me run around the arenas, getting into trouble). We moved every week to a different town, 11 months out of the year. My parents eventually realized that by osmosis, I was becoming a skater so they put me in the show at the age of 2.
What did you do for schooling while you were on the road?
There was a corrospondence school called the Calvert School that was designed for Missionary's children. My parents took on the task of teaching my brother and I through the 4th grade with the Calvert curriculum and then after that, we were tutored by women who were in the chorus of our show, but also had teaching degrees. We did our schoolwork 3 hours a day and then went to practice on the ice and then did the show at night. I never set foot in a "real" school with other children until I was a Sophmore in high school. I got straight A's and wondered why you had to go to school for 6 hours!
Did you ever long for a more regular routine growing up or did you see the traveling and performing as an adventure?
I never knew anything else. This was how I grew up. I really had no other frame of reference in life. This was what our family did...it was our regular routine. I did always look at everything like an adventure. Our show played Cuba when the revolution was taking place and as a child, I didn't understand everything that was happening, but I felt like it was an adventure. We were in hotel fires and had to get out..that was an adventure. My parents were very good at making everthing seem like an adventure, even if it was a disaster. There was never a dull moment but I think it taught me how to "roll with the punches" as they say.
It prepared me for for my later career. When I became a teenager and
the aspect of "Boys" entered my thoughts, I became tired of the "adventures" and then wanted a more "regular routine".....one that included boys my age!
How did you come to work on the set of American Idol? Have you been with them since the beginning?
I have been with Idol since the second week it was on the air. I couldn't be there the first week because it was my son's graduation from high school. I was asked to do the show by our Exec in Charge, Wyleen May. We had known each other for many years and she knew of my performing background and thought it would be a good fit. Our two Exec Producers, Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick also come from a performing background, so all around I guess Wyleen thought it was a good idea. We all spoke a shorthand with each other so things seemed to click right away. Plus, this was a Live Show and all of us who came to Idol had long histories of doing live TV.
Do you feel your background helps you relate to the American Idol contestants?
Absolutely!! I have been in their shoes. Not only did I skate as a child, but I did theatre in Summer stock as a child, I sang all my backing vocals on the tracks for the ice show as well as going a demo record a year from the age of 9 (my father wanted me to be a singer). I did commercials, voice-overs for cartoons and eventually danced on the number one variety show in the mid 70's. So I can honestly say....I know what they are going through....being a performer is risky, scary and exhilerating at the same time. I try my darndest, to make it as easy as I can for them, but ultimately they have to go out there and make it happen, in that short moment, alone on that stage. They are putting their talent on the line...but at Idol you can't just take your applause and walk off the stage; you have the reality of Simon pointing out your every flaw and mistake to 30 million people each week. That's a differant "kettle of fish"! That part never gets easy......but I can relate to it because my dad was my coach as a child and was a bit of a "Simon" in his own way. He would always critique my performance because in his words he "wanted to make me better". Simon does the same thing and those that hear him, get better.
Did you have any idea that AI would turn into such a cultural phenomenon?
I had no idea....we were doing a little summer series and that was all. You have to realize, we are "freelance" people....we do hundreds of shows a year and I have been working in production 30 years. This was just another show. I think we started to think something was happening when kids were camped out around the studio, waiting to get in at eight o'clock in the morning when we were coming to work to do a show at 5. Then when we did that first finale at the Kodak with Kelly, that was when it was beginning to sink in...a bit.
We commented at the time...."well, this was a summer series, but will it do well at another time of year?" Or the other thing going around was, "Well the audience liked this group of Idol kids but will they like another group?" What did we know...nothing. We had absolutely no idea of the adventure ahead. It has been amazing.
What is it about AI that draws viewers?
I wish I knew and we'd bottle it! What I think, maybe is....the audience feels that they have the power to take someone from obscurity and turn them into a super-star. They get truly invested in the growth of that particular Idol, and watching their transformation. The show also takes you on the journey from the very beginning, so you really get to know these people and you fight for them to win. Oh, and I think there is one very important ingredient....Simon. He says the things you're thinking and sometimes it makes you cringe, but you know he's right. There is something very refreshing in that and before Idol, it didn't really exist on American television. We also have young people singing good music....that older people can relate to, so we kind of reach everyone.
Reality TV is huge right now. Do you see it gaining in popularity over the next five to ten years?
I really do...but I am someone who can't read fiction, I find reality far more interesting. I have to wonder though, how far will it go? Andy Warhol saw the future when he said everyone would have their "15 minutes" of fame. Reality TV is that future. People love to watch and relate to people just like themselves, doing all sorts of things. They like to believe in the possibility that it could be them......and with reality TV, it could be. I think it will be around, in some form, for a very long time.
What would you be doing right now if you weren't working on American Idol? Are there any other shows you would love to work on?
I would be doing exactly what I have always done...Live TV. I still do a lot of "Specials" that I fit into my year when I'm not doing Idol. Last year I did the MTV Awards, The Victoria Secret Special, Kids Choice Awards, People's Choice and the Golden Globes. I also do, So You Think You Can Dance with Nigel Lythgoe in the summer and I did America's Got Talent with Ken Warwick. I stay pretty busy. I have worked on so many shows like the Academy Awards, the Grammy's so I don't think it would be a particular show. I do shows in my dreams. I love Idol and have to say, it is one of the most enjoyable work experiences I've ever had. Ken and Nigel create a collaberative environment for everyone. We are all part of Idol and take pride in it's success.
How did you hear about Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul?
They came and visited our show to get our stories. They were there several days interviewing, watching the rehearsals and interviewing us. I had heard of the Chicken Soup books but didn't know how Idol fit into that package. After reading the book I realized what a perfect fit Idol was. I actually learned alot about everyone reading the book.....things I would have never known!
What was the best part of being involved in this collection?
When I read the book, I was honored to be in it. It is so well done and captures so much of the emotion that is "Idol". I didn't really think my story would make it. I thought there would be so many good stories I'd fall on the cutting room floor. But I made it and here you are interviewing me!
Can Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul appeal to people who have never watched the show?
I think so. The stories are Idol related, but they're heartfelt and real. I think if you never watched one episode of Idol you would find the stories interesting and then you would want to watch Idol.....but then, you'd want to read the book again.
What do you think the future holds for American Idol? Will it still be going strong five years from now?
Oy! Hard to say....originally we all said 5 seasons and now it's 7. My daughter was 7 when we started the series, that would make her 19 when it ended....and that would make me even older. Who knows......Maybe Simon knows. I used to say I wanted a good series to take me into my retirement......maybe Idol is that series.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Only, that I think our next Presidential candidates should have to come and sing on Idol and let America Vote. Couldn't hurt! Would be alot more fun than speeches
and I'd love to hear Simon's comments! Thank you for being interested in my story.
Thank you for spending some time with us today, Debra. May you continue to find success in all you do.
Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul is available at Amazon.com
Thanks for joining us today, Debra. It's an honor and a pleasure.
Thank you for asking me to be a part of this.
Let's get started by learning a bit more about you. Where did you grow up? Did you travel a lot with your family's show?
I literally grew up on the "road". My mom and dad were performers with the ice shows and when I was born, they simply took me on the road from hotel to hotel. My crib was a dresser drawer that they would put on the floor and my playground was the various dressing rooms back stage. When I began to walk they put me on skates (9 months) and the rink was my playpen (they found that easier than letting me run around the arenas, getting into trouble). We moved every week to a different town, 11 months out of the year. My parents eventually realized that by osmosis, I was becoming a skater so they put me in the show at the age of 2.
What did you do for schooling while you were on the road?
There was a corrospondence school called the Calvert School that was designed for Missionary's children. My parents took on the task of teaching my brother and I through the 4th grade with the Calvert curriculum and then after that, we were tutored by women who were in the chorus of our show, but also had teaching degrees. We did our schoolwork 3 hours a day and then went to practice on the ice and then did the show at night. I never set foot in a "real" school with other children until I was a Sophmore in high school. I got straight A's and wondered why you had to go to school for 6 hours!
Did you ever long for a more regular routine growing up or did you see the traveling and performing as an adventure?
I never knew anything else. This was how I grew up. I really had no other frame of reference in life. This was what our family did...it was our regular routine. I did always look at everything like an adventure. Our show played Cuba when the revolution was taking place and as a child, I didn't understand everything that was happening, but I felt like it was an adventure. We were in hotel fires and had to get out..that was an adventure. My parents were very good at making everthing seem like an adventure, even if it was a disaster. There was never a dull moment but I think it taught me how to "roll with the punches" as they say.
It prepared me for for my later career. When I became a teenager and
the aspect of "Boys" entered my thoughts, I became tired of the "adventures" and then wanted a more "regular routine".....one that included boys my age!
How did you come to work on the set of American Idol? Have you been with them since the beginning?
I have been with Idol since the second week it was on the air. I couldn't be there the first week because it was my son's graduation from high school. I was asked to do the show by our Exec in Charge, Wyleen May. We had known each other for many years and she knew of my performing background and thought it would be a good fit. Our two Exec Producers, Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick also come from a performing background, so all around I guess Wyleen thought it was a good idea. We all spoke a shorthand with each other so things seemed to click right away. Plus, this was a Live Show and all of us who came to Idol had long histories of doing live TV.
Do you feel your background helps you relate to the American Idol contestants?
Absolutely!! I have been in their shoes. Not only did I skate as a child, but I did theatre in Summer stock as a child, I sang all my backing vocals on the tracks for the ice show as well as going a demo record a year from the age of 9 (my father wanted me to be a singer). I did commercials, voice-overs for cartoons and eventually danced on the number one variety show in the mid 70's. So I can honestly say....I know what they are going through....being a performer is risky, scary and exhilerating at the same time. I try my darndest, to make it as easy as I can for them, but ultimately they have to go out there and make it happen, in that short moment, alone on that stage. They are putting their talent on the line...but at Idol you can't just take your applause and walk off the stage; you have the reality of Simon pointing out your every flaw and mistake to 30 million people each week. That's a differant "kettle of fish"! That part never gets easy......but I can relate to it because my dad was my coach as a child and was a bit of a "Simon" in his own way. He would always critique my performance because in his words he "wanted to make me better". Simon does the same thing and those that hear him, get better.
Did you have any idea that AI would turn into such a cultural phenomenon?
I had no idea....we were doing a little summer series and that was all. You have to realize, we are "freelance" people....we do hundreds of shows a year and I have been working in production 30 years. This was just another show. I think we started to think something was happening when kids were camped out around the studio, waiting to get in at eight o'clock in the morning when we were coming to work to do a show at 5. Then when we did that first finale at the Kodak with Kelly, that was when it was beginning to sink in...a bit.
We commented at the time...."well, this was a summer series, but will it do well at another time of year?" Or the other thing going around was, "Well the audience liked this group of Idol kids but will they like another group?" What did we know...nothing. We had absolutely no idea of the adventure ahead. It has been amazing.
What is it about AI that draws viewers?
I wish I knew and we'd bottle it! What I think, maybe is....the audience feels that they have the power to take someone from obscurity and turn them into a super-star. They get truly invested in the growth of that particular Idol, and watching their transformation. The show also takes you on the journey from the very beginning, so you really get to know these people and you fight for them to win. Oh, and I think there is one very important ingredient....Simon. He says the things you're thinking and sometimes it makes you cringe, but you know he's right. There is something very refreshing in that and before Idol, it didn't really exist on American television. We also have young people singing good music....that older people can relate to, so we kind of reach everyone.
Reality TV is huge right now. Do you see it gaining in popularity over the next five to ten years?
I really do...but I am someone who can't read fiction, I find reality far more interesting. I have to wonder though, how far will it go? Andy Warhol saw the future when he said everyone would have their "15 minutes" of fame. Reality TV is that future. People love to watch and relate to people just like themselves, doing all sorts of things. They like to believe in the possibility that it could be them......and with reality TV, it could be. I think it will be around, in some form, for a very long time.
What would you be doing right now if you weren't working on American Idol? Are there any other shows you would love to work on?
I would be doing exactly what I have always done...Live TV. I still do a lot of "Specials" that I fit into my year when I'm not doing Idol. Last year I did the MTV Awards, The Victoria Secret Special, Kids Choice Awards, People's Choice and the Golden Globes. I also do, So You Think You Can Dance with Nigel Lythgoe in the summer and I did America's Got Talent with Ken Warwick. I stay pretty busy. I have worked on so many shows like the Academy Awards, the Grammy's so I don't think it would be a particular show. I do shows in my dreams. I love Idol and have to say, it is one of the most enjoyable work experiences I've ever had. Ken and Nigel create a collaberative environment for everyone. We are all part of Idol and take pride in it's success.
How did you hear about Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul?
They came and visited our show to get our stories. They were there several days interviewing, watching the rehearsals and interviewing us. I had heard of the Chicken Soup books but didn't know how Idol fit into that package. After reading the book I realized what a perfect fit Idol was. I actually learned alot about everyone reading the book.....things I would have never known!
What was the best part of being involved in this collection?
When I read the book, I was honored to be in it. It is so well done and captures so much of the emotion that is "Idol". I didn't really think my story would make it. I thought there would be so many good stories I'd fall on the cutting room floor. But I made it and here you are interviewing me!
Can Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul appeal to people who have never watched the show?
I think so. The stories are Idol related, but they're heartfelt and real. I think if you never watched one episode of Idol you would find the stories interesting and then you would want to watch Idol.....but then, you'd want to read the book again.
What do you think the future holds for American Idol? Will it still be going strong five years from now?
Oy! Hard to say....originally we all said 5 seasons and now it's 7. My daughter was 7 when we started the series, that would make her 19 when it ended....and that would make me even older. Who knows......Maybe Simon knows. I used to say I wanted a good series to take me into my retirement......maybe Idol is that series.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Only, that I think our next Presidential candidates should have to come and sing on Idol and let America Vote. Couldn't hurt! Would be alot more fun than speeches
and I'd love to hear Simon's comments! Thank you for being interested in my story.
Thank you for spending some time with us today, Debra. May you continue to find success in all you do.
Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul is available at Amazon.com
