American Idol champ David Cook opens up to Life & Style about fan gifts, kissing for work, and all the great opportunities he’s had. Here’s what the 26-year-old shared:

On celebrating the success of his self-titled new album, which has sold more than 1 million copies: “It’s been nuts. I’ve gotten to do some amazing things, like perform for the troops in the Middle East and throw out the first pitch at a Kansas City Royals baseball game.”

On being amused by some of the gifts he receives from fans, like a cooler filled with ice and QuikTrip Taquitos, his favorite food: “[I tried to ship it to his home in Tulsa, Okla.,] but by the time it got there, it was just a box of moldy food. I got a phone call from my mom asking, ‘What’s wrong with you?’”

On filming the video for his single “Come Back To Me”: “I had a kissing scene. You watch stuff growing up, and I always thought I couldn’t imagine how uncomfortable that would be. Now I know! [Disturbia's Sarah Roemer] knew what she was doing. I kept apologizing the whole time.”

Source

David Cook’s Music DOs!
The Idol winner, who serenaded Hillary Clinton at our Women of the Year Awards and whose self-titled album is out now, gave us his favorite inspirational tunes.

1. “With or Without You” - U2
2. “Drive” - The Cars
3. “Stolen” - Dashboard Confessional
4. “Jaded” - Phil Marshall
5. “Angel” - Sarah McLachlan
6. “Hell Bent” - Kenna
7. “Dizzy” - Jimmy Eat World

An Idol’s Revolution:
David Cook - The self-confessed word nerd is now a sexy rock star
In just nine months, David Cook, the wannabe-rocker American Idol constestan from Oklahoma, transformed into a well-respected artist–and worlwide heartthrob, too! “I got my hair cut and I grew the beard. The show was stressful and I’ve dropped about 15 pounds since it all began. It’s been a physical overhaul for me,” David said. Indeed, so much has changed since David won last year’s Idol. He’s gone from geeky punk to Skechers image model! OK! takes a look back at his rocky road to stardom.

School geek?
Nah! He may have always gotten a kick out of solving word games in solitude, but David did enjoy an active social life back in high school. He starred in musicals, played baseball and basketball, and verbally sparred with fellow debaters. Oh, and he also won a male beauty contest!

Punked
Sporting an unflattering faux-hawk and an awkward goatee during his audition in August 2007, David didn’t exactly score cool cred with AI audiences and judge Simon Cowell, who thought David’s rocker act was just, well, an act.

Gone emo
Goodbye fayx-hawk, hello… comb-over?!? David’s rendition of The Turtles’ “Happy Together” on February 19 could have made him an early breakout star, but his emo look was such a spotlight-hogging bad idea, people couldn’t concentrate on his number.

A real softie
David’s take on Mariah Carey’s “Always Be My Baby” on April 15 was a winner because of his strikingly original cover and David’s heartfelt performance. His sick brother (and contanst inspiration) flew all the way to L.A. to support him.

People’s choice
Transformation complete! With better hairstyle and fashion sense (enough with gray vests, okay?), the ecstatic American Idol took the stage at the Nokia Theatre on May 21 to deliver his first-ever live performance as the reality show’s new champion. Young, old, male or female, the audience just loved him! And, the satisfied expression on Simon’s face was priceless.

“Mama, I’m coming home,” David Cook says he was singing these Ozzy Osbourne lyrics as the “American Idols Live!” tour bus pulled into Kansas City this past August. The Idols’ two nights as the Sprint Center gave Cook just 48 hours to prove what he’d been preaching since he joined the tour in the spring: that KC barbecue–and the city at large–tocks almost as hard as Cook himself. It has been a whirlwind year for the Blue Springs native, who emerged victorious from the seventh season of “American Idol” in May, and–despise the wishes he reveals below–it looks like things aren’t seetling down any time soon. Cook served as “Saturday Night Live” musical guest on November 1, and his debut album hit stores on Novembert 18. We’re just gla he worked us in.

What word do you love the sound of?

Currently? VACATION.

What CD or book are you currently enjoying?

[I'm listening to] Muse’s Absolution and thumbing through some Palahniwk.

Fill the blank: “There ought to be a law against ______.”

Not buying my record? Kidding, I’ll say, “being a Raiders fan from Kansas City.”

Who should play you in a movie about your life?

I think that Jay Baruchel (”Tropic Thunder,” “Knocked Up”) would be great if it’s a comedy, but if it’s a hard-hitting drama, I’d go with… Screw it, let’s keep Jay in there.

What is your guilty pleasure?

QikTrip Taquitos–chicken and cheese.

If you had to leave Kansas City forever, where and what would your last meal be?
[Summit] Hickory Pit BBQ’s Sausage Platter.

If all your loved ones were safe, what would you save from your burning house?

My key to the city of Blue Springs. Growing up there, I take a huge amount of pride in receiving that award.

Do you have a motto?

“Pain don’t hurt”–from Road House–or, “It’s better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt”–unkown, at least by me.

What advice would you give to someone who wnats to follow in your footsteps?

Make sure you have a passion and an aptitude for music and performing, and also be aware that sleep is a foreign word.

What is your dream vacation?

Anywhere with some beach and a golf course. I’ve got to get my drive straightened out somehow.

Source

Holiday Cook-ing

American Idol David Cook, who performs at the 25th annual Christmas march through the Magic Kindom, tell us how it feels to rock the mouse house.
Playing Disney is pretty big.
I’ve never been to a Disney theme park, so this is all very news to me. It makes me feel like a kid again.
What are you singing?
“Havee Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” It’s just going to be me and my guitarist playing a little acoustic rendition.
And holidays plans?
I’m gonna spend some time with the family. It’s been an amazing year, but one drawback is that I’ve had to spend a little less time with them.
Better cough up some big gifts!
I know, right? I lucked out the last couple years, since I was definitely under the poverty line.

Singer turned Model

OK! goes behind the scenes of the American Idol winner’s latest project
We were rooting for David Cook all throughout this year’s American Idol and when we heard that he’s the star of Skechers’s new campaign, we just can’t help but be thrilled!
David’s pretty wound up himself. “I have always viewed Skechers as a cool company, so I am excited to be a part of their campaign,” he told OK!. “They’ve had some sensational singers like Carrie Underwood and Christina Aguilera as they were starting out and it will be great to be a part of the Skechers roster.” Indeed, David is the latest of luminaries that have starred in the footwear brand’s marketing campaigns. Aside from Carrie and Christina.
This modeling stint isn’t the only thing tickling his Filipino fans. According to the website Female Network, Filipinos are hugo supporters of David and are looking forward to his first post-Idol album, which launched in November. At press time, hsi fans are also buzzing with the news that David is coming to our islands for a concert next month! The gravelly-voiced singer revealed in a radio interview that his concert tour had been booked and his first stop is Manila.
We can’t wait to start rocking with David!

People magazine has chosen its 100 sexiest men alive for 2008.
Check out the 100 sexy men in 1 minute clip they have on the site itself!

Source

GALLERY LINK:
- Entertainment Weekly - Nov, 2008