Nikki McKibbin at American Idol Finale

Back in 2002, Nikki McKibbin came in third place behind Justin Guarini and Kelly Clarkson on the first season of "American Idol." Guess what she looks like now!

Four years ago, American Idol Season 1 contestant Nikki McKibbin was caught in the clutches of a serious cocaine and alcohol addiction.

She ended up appearing on VH-1’s Celebrity Rehab and Sober House where she shared the story of a dysfunctional parent relationship in which she would do lines with her mom.

She was my favorite washed-up celeb and the only one that I thought would have a chance of making it.

I don’t know if she’s sober today; I don’t know if any addict stays sober when they are paid to go through televised rehab.

Maybe she just switched her drug of choice from Jack Daniels to Fritos.

What I do know is this: She’s got a killer voice and I hope we hear from her again. Obviously, McKibbin’s appearance last night at the AI finale is a drastic change from a few years ago.

McKibbin was on hand last night at the Nokia Theater for the season eight American Idol finale.


The 30 year old Texan initially signed on with 19 Management and RCA Records.

They urged her to release a country album but she felt that she was rooted in rock and headed down that path.

She appeared on several reality shows in the ensuing years and released her debut album Unleased in 2007.

After a rumored suicide attempt in March 2008 and a 72 hour stint in a psychiatric facility, she joined season two of the VH1 reality show Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew Pinsky, and received treatment for cocaine and alcohol addiction.

She then moved into a sober living environment and was part of the filming for the spin-off series Sober House.

Her latest singles are Here to There and Inconsolable.