Nikki McKibbin updated fans on her blog at MySpace (@nikkimckibbin) on Friday (March 20), responding to stories that fans have sent in to her. The ‘American Idol’ season one finalist writes:

First off let me start by saying thank you. Many of you have sent me stories of hope and inspiration and I really appreciate that. I love so much to hear all of your stories. I finally got to sit down today and read everything. I wish that I had time to write everyone back individually but my schedule is really hectic so I hope that this is ok.

To All the people who have lost someone they love dearly:
Keep your head up. I know this is harder than it sounds but I have realized after losing my mother and my best friend that all you have to do to remember or talk to that person you lost is close your eyes and look into your heart. I have been told that the laughter you so badly want to remember will come back in time. The voice that you so long to hear will re-emerge as well. It hasn’t happened for me yet but I look forward to the day when I can remember the sound of my mothers voice. Right now all I have is her phone which allows me to hear her say my name. I love that phone so much. Just Hoping I can bring you some comfort.

‘American Idol’ season one finalist Nikki McKibbin is speaking out to Us Weekly, partially blaming her personal problems after appearing on the hit FOX show on its critical judge Simon Cowell. “I came out of ‘Idol’ with a lack of self-confidence,” Nikki said. “I think I had my first solo in school when I was 5, and I got more as I got older: That’s the biggest compliment in choir. I had never been told I wasn’t good enough. Having to hear it for so many weeks from Simon Cowell killed me inside. I couldn’t get the sh** he had said to me out of my head. It drove me deeper into my depression. I wouldn’t say that this was Simon’s fault. It just added to the addict that I already was.”

The full story at usmagazine.com has since been removed.

Foxes On Idol caught up with ‘American Idol’ season one finalist Nikki McKibbin for a Q&A, and asked the singer when we could expect an album. “I’ve been working with Mike Puskas from Astral Records for about six months now,” she said. “He’s got a lot of great things lined up for me. I just signed with Black Sea Records, an indie label in L.A., We’re hoping to have four maxi singles out by March 2006, and if that goes well, a full album by the end of the year.”

The interview at foxesonidol.com has since been removed.

Chaunce Hayden of Steppin’ Out magazine spoke with ‘American Idol’ finalist Nikki McKibbin, who defended her singing ability which was loudly criticized during the show. “I won all state in choir! I had to sing in Italian and I won all the big competitions for choir,” she said. “It was a really big deal. I really do have a lot of range, but that music isn’t my kind of music. I just don’t enjoy it as much as I enjoy rock ‘n’ roll. I can hit the high notes, I just can’t hit the kind of high notes that Kelly hits! (Laughs) She is phenomenal. But I have got a lot of range as well.”

Kidd Kraddick hasa short audio clip of Nikki McKibbin on the show where she talked about being separated from her Army husband. Nikki says he’s not the father of her son Tristen, as the couple split shortly after his birth. Asked if he was trying to reconcile after her success, Nikki says, “A lot people do.” Audio has since been removed.