Chris Richardson, who went from wearing No. 42 on his Great Bridge High School football uniform in Chesapeake to wearing No. 8963 as a contestant on “American Idol.”
His audition on the Jan. 24 edition of the nation’s most popular television program propelled him into the Hollywood round and sparked remembrances from folks near and far. After reading about Richardson online, Lisa Smith of South Point, Ohio, e-mailed to say: “I was there when Chris was born in the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe hospital (in Belgium). He’s grown into a good, caring person with a great personality.” Smith says she and her ex-husband, Army veteran Tommy Smith, have maintained a long friendship with the Richardsons since they first met in Belgium. Richardson’s father, Danny, spent 20 years in the Air Force. The family has lived in Chesapeake since 1999.
Richardson, 22, is a 2002 graduate of Great Bridge High.
He then studied music composition at Christopher Newport University in Newport News for a year, playing football there as well. He continued his music studies at Tidewater Community College.
Of Richardson’s days in a football uniform at Great Bridge High, Athletic Director Greg Jennings recalls that he was a two-way player, handling the quarterback job and playing linebacker on defense. “He was a tough kid.”
And beefier than he appears on “American Idol.”
Bernard, principal of the new Grassfield High School in Chesapeake, which opens in September, remembers back to 1975 when Chris’ mother, Marilyn, was crowned Miss Great Bridge High School. “I remember she sang ‘You’ve Got a Friend.’ ”
As for their son’s musical skills, dad Danny said: “Words can’t explain what he has. It’s a God-given gift. It was a blessing for him to get through the first round. Now we’ll do what the rest of America will do – find out what happens now.”
While working on his music, Richardson also has worked at the Hooters at 801 N. Battlefield Blvd. in Chesapeake, where in 4 1/2 years he advanced to kitchen supervisor.
He is dating a young lady named Gayle, who also worked at the restaurant, according to her aunt, Ginny Barnett of Norfolk. Barnett speaks of Richardson as being a nice young man who likes to wear ties and hug people.
A call to Gayle in Maryland was answered by her father, who said she would answer no questions about Chris.
What do the Hooters employees say of their co-worker, who will be among 173 contestants at the Hollywood auditions?
Nothing. We’re respecting his privacy, they say.
Well, 33.9 million viewers saw the episode on which Richardson impressed judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.
However, Fox discourages publicity about contestants during the season. Publicist Jill Hudson in Los Angeles said all the contestants still in the running to be “American Idol” No. 6 have been ordered not to do interviews.
Fox doesn’t want the public to learn whether someone has been eliminated or has advanced before the shows on which they appear air.
Richardson will next be seen on the Feb. 13/14 editions of “American Idol” that originate in Hollywood.
Source: pilotonline.com
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