Diana performs at Houston's Christmas tree lighting

Diana spent her weekend in Houston, Tex., where she performed at the Christmas tree-lighting in the city's Galleria. The Houston Chronicle covered the event, writing of Diana:

American Idol finalist Diana DeGarmo opened the show with The Christmas Song. Pair skaters Gord Willemse and Lisa Grice performed two exciting routines with lots of lifts; the audience held its breath as he spun her around with her head dangerously close to the ice.

Diana was excited to be at the event, as she tweeted:

The show @ the Galleria was GREAT! Such a fun event! :-) I am hitting the hay NOW b/c I literally cannot keep my... http://fb.me/37rGvgR 8:47 PM Nov 14th from Facebook

Diana then sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the New Jersey Nets game last night. Watch the performance below:



The Nets played the Indiana Pacers at the IZOD Center at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in East Rutherford, N.J.

Diana joins 'Carrie' cast for industry presentation

It was announced yesterday that Diana has joined an all-star cast for an industry reading of a revival of the 1988 Broadway musical adaptation of the Stephen King novel and film Carrie. Playbill broke the news, revealing the entire cast:

The cast will feature Foster (Shrek, Thoroughly Modern Millie) as gym teacher Ms. Gardner, Mazzie (Passion, Ragtime) as Margaret White, Molly Ranson (August: Osage County) as Carrie and Damiano (Next to Normal, Spring Awakening) as Sue.

Also revealed are "American Idol" finalist Diana DeGarmo (Hairspray, The Toxic Avenger) as Chris, Matt Doyle (Spring Awakening, Bye Bye Birdie) as Tommy and John Arthur Greene (West Side Story) as Billy.

The Carrie ensemble includes Corey Boardman (Next to Normal, Altar Boyz), Lilli Cooper (Spring Awakening), Katrina Rose Dideriksen (Things to Ruin), Benjamin Eakeley (Sweeney Todd), Emily Ferranti, Kyle Harris (The Cure), Philip Hoffman (A Catered Affair), Kaitlin Kiyan (Hair), Max Kumangai (What's That Smell?), Mackenzie Mauzy (White Noise), Preston Sadleir (Mrs. Sharp), Jonathan Schwartz (The Fantasticks) Bud Weber and Sasha Weiss (Jerry Springer).

Diana also excitedly tweeted about the announcement, thrilled that she could finally talk openly about her "secret rehearsals":

@batboysings YES, CARRIE, is the top secret reading that I have been working on. I am SOOOOO FREAKIN EXCITED! I get to be the MEAN girl!!! about 19 hours ago from web

More on Diana's character from Zap2It:

Chris is the girl who masterminds Carrie's fake Prom Queen win and subsequent pig's blood shower. Why, Diana DeGarmo! You naughty girl!

Although there is no word yet on when the presentation will be made to the industry, Diana will be busy with rehearsals in addition to continuing her role in The Toxic Avenger for the foreseeable future.

Diana attends 43rd annual CMA Awards

Diana was one of many country music artists to attend country's biggest night, the 43rd annual CMA Awards, Wednedsay night at Nashville's Sommet Center.

Diana turned heads on the red carpet thanks to an eye-catching pink dress courtesy of Jovani. She tweeted:

Jovani, I want you to know that i have been getting compliments on my dress left and right tonight!! 6:44 PM Nov 11th from mobile web

Despite the positive responses at the show, the press had mixed reviews. Cathi from The Tennessean wrote Diana "rocked a hot pink gown with exposed gold zipper embellishment," while Vicki Hyman of The New Jersey Star-Ledger wrote the dress "only exaggerates the fakeness of her tan."

Also according to her official Twitter account, Diana sat next to Jennette McCurdy of Nickelodeon's iCarly and she was excited for Lady Antebellum's win in the "Single of the Year" category.

'Toxic Avenger' to close on Jan. 3, 2010

After less than one year on the Off-Broadway, The Toxic Avenger will end its run on Sunday, Jan. 3, 2010. Diana joined the show on Friday, Aug. 14, and was scheduled to continue through February before the news came down yesterday. Per an article from Playbill:

Producers Jean Cheever and Tom Polum said in a Nov. 10 statement, "We've been blessed with a talented creative team, phenomenal cast, highly skilled crew, smokin' hot band, dedicated behind-the-scenes support group and loyal theatre audiences."

Toxic transferred to New World Stages, its Off-Broadway home, on March 18. It will have had 300 performances before closing its doors. Planning for a national tour is now underway.