DIANA DEGARMO (Penny Pingleton) From Broadway to the Hollywood Bowl, Diana is thrilled to be reprising her breakout role as Penny Pingleton in Hairspray. At just the young age of 16, she stole America’s heart as the runner-up on the third season of “American Idol”. Since then she has captivated theater audiences, playing such roles as Sheila in the Broadway production of Hair, Doralee Rhodes in the Broadway National Tour of 9 to 5, ‘Brooklyn’ in the Broadway National Tour of Brooklyn: The Musical, and Sarah in the Off-Broadway production of The Toxic Avenger. She debuted at the Grand Ole Opry at only 12, and country music is near and dear to Diana’s heart. After appearing on CMT’s “Gone Country,” she followed her country roots as a singer/songwriter. In 2008, she released an acoustic EP “Unplugged in Nashville” and is excited to announce that she will be recording her first, true, full-length country album. Diana recently made her move to Hollywood, in her feature film debut in The First Ride of Wyatt Earp starring Val Kilmer and Shawn Roberts. “Many thanks to Headline Talent Agency, Ellis Talent Group, Steve & Herrick Entertainment, & of course, my family & momma!”