Diana DeGarmo recovering from fall at Grand Rapids' Van Andel Arena

LOS ANGELES (RCA Records) - Diana DeGarmo is recovering this morning from a fall last night (July 27,2004) on stage at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The 17-year-old "American Idol" finalist fell down a long flight of stairs while singing a verse of the Beyonci Knowles hit "Crazy in Love" during the "American Idols Live" tour.

DeGarmo must have heard the phrase "the show must go on," because despite the fall, she finished the song and left the stage under her own power. After her graceful exit, performer LaToya London dedicated the next song to Diana. The show continued without DeGarmo, who is normally on stage with all of the third season "Idol" finalists for the finale.

Backstage, Diana was clearly in pain and was taken by medics to a local hospital. After a series of x-rays, it was determined that DeGarmo was badly bruised, but had not broken anything. She was given a set of crutches and doctors advised her not to perform tonight at the "American Idols Live" show at Joe Louis Arena in Detroit.
DeGarmo made a personal decision to sing tonight and will go on stage to perform one song, "Dreams." That's her hit RCA single, which has been No. 2 on Billboard's Hot 100 Singles Sales chart for three weeks in a row, and is already one of the best-selling singles of 2004.
Last night, fans kept a vigil at the hotel where the "American Idol" performers were staying in Michigan, and Diana and her mother Brenda expressed thanks to all of Diana's fans for their support.