Nikki McKibbin updated fans on her blog at MySpace 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.

Check out her message to people still in addiction and people in recovery here.

‘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.