Last month I was invited to be a guest on the Tyra Banks Show to discuss Multiracial identity. Let's just say that the show did not turn out as I had hoped, but I must admit it was still pretty cool sitting in hair and makeup next to one of my favorite American Idol finalists, Kimberley Locke. Kimberley is awesome and doing a lot of exciting things beyond recording 11 charting singles. We got the chance to reconnect by phone this week and here's what she had to say. --Kayci

KB: It was great getting to meet you on the Tyra Show, I know we're both very excited about the topic of Multiracial identity and I'm glad to get to talk to you a bit more about that today. I thought the Show was a great chance to talk about the multiracial experience, but I really wish there could have been a stronger positive view on multiracialism and a lot less sensationalism. I know time ran short taping, but it seemed too much time was devoted to the people who were kind of broken about one side of their family. Is there anything else you would've liked to have said on the show that you didn't get the chance to?

KL: Oh gosh. That show was like a whirlwind. I had so much stuff coming at me that I didn't know what to say some of the time. Because I was so shocked! I think that one of the things that should have been brought to the forefront more is that we are living in a society where there are many of us who are completely OK, happy, functional biracial people and we need to look at where society used to be and where we are now. 'Cuz there's definitely been growth. It's not like when my Mom and Dad dated, they had to sneak around and date. There's definitely been progress in that respect and I think the positive things are that we are becoming more together than separate. It's nice to look out and say "I'm Italian, Black and White" or whatever you are and that's cool. The more blended we are, the less likely we are to discriminate against one another. And that's the whole key - to love people and enjoy people for who they are not based on the color of their skin or who their moms or dads are or where they come from.

KB: It's thankfully very true. Times are changing so much. I like to use the example of Disney princesses. The Disney princesses my Mom grew up with were Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. But I grew up with Jasmine and Esmerelda and my Cinderella was played by Brandy. It's a completely different experience.

KL: It's true, and I think we need to focus more on that, but sometimes people like to focus on the negative. I do think the show was valuable. It opened my eyes that there are apparently still some people that have these issues, because I do not have these issues or really know people who do. You gotta realize, I don't care whether you are black, white, multiracial... anyone can have an identity crisis and not know who they are. It is definitely not a multiracial issue.

KB: Yeah, exactly it's a security issue and identity issue.

KL: It's a security and identity issue that could affect anyone. At some point in all of our lives we had those moments when we need to realize who we are. It's a healthy thing to do but it definitely isn't limited to embracing your racial background.

KB: I was on a panel the other day with a councilman and some educators from a city near me and they were discussing how race has so much to do with the cliques in high school and I told them that even if everyone was blind to race there would still be cliques, we'd just be separated by other issues, like clothing choices, hair color, interests, finances - who knows. It's a very interesting and complex discussion. So, in your opinion, what is the best part of being multiracial and how has being multiracial contributed to your life experiences so far?

KL: I wouldn't change anything about my life. Even the difficult times have made me in to the person that I am now. Growing up with things like being the only minority on the cheerleading squad helped make me into the person that I am and I wouldn't change it at all because I feel like my perspective on a lot of things is so different because of my background. Being multiracial definitely shapes you into who you are.

KB: Yes, in part, but there are so many other things that also shape us.

KL: Right. Very true

KB: So, I know you grew up in Tennessee. Did you experience much racism during your childhood?

KL: Definitely, there was racism. We grew up in a really small town so quite naturally in the late 70s, early 80s in Tennessee there was a lot of racism. And then being biracial and having both a white family and a black family I got the racial component within my family as well. My mother told me when I was very young that society would view me as black, which I feel helped me when I faced racism. But as I got older she and I had a different talk about about my race.

KB: In my family there's my sister and I and our little brother and my parents have always taught us that we are both black and white equally. But while my Dad feels like it's right for us to identify solidly as multiracial embracing both races and cultures equally, he feels that it is also important for my brother especially, because of the racism that sadly still exists in our country, to know that in many people's eyes he will be a black man in America - and all that that may mean.

KL: And I think that's great. Any child, black, white or multiracial looks to their parents to show them guidance. So I think in the early stages of my life in my case, growing up where I did, I think my Mom did me a favor by telling me how people may view me.

KB: How do you respond when you overhear a racist or prejudice comment?

KL: I'll tell you something really funny. I was just in a bar the other day standing in line waiting for the bathroom and this white girl was standing there next to me and her friend was in the stall and she used the N word. I didn't know if she was black or white. I didn't care. But I said to her, "Easy on the racial comments." And her friend turned to me and said "Oh, she's black". I told her "Well, it still doesn't make it OK." You know what I'm saying? When I'm in those situations, I'm not even gonna lie. If I hear people being racist, or derogatory, because now days young kids throw words around and it's part of the slang. Part of the lingo. And nobody's offended by it. But when it is used in a derogatory way then, Yes, I'm gonna say something.

KB: Cool. I think one of the really nice things about growing up multiracial today in 2009 is that so many of the celebrities are multiracial. Is there a multiracial celeb, besides yourself, that you really admire?

KL: It would have to be Halle Berry. I look at her when she came on to the scene. She was beautiful and she just did her. Ya know what I'm saying? And then you look at her career. She's done black movies and mainstream movies, she won an Oscar for her performance in Monster's Ball - one of my favorite of hers. But she doesn't allow her race or this business to put a stigma on her or pigeon hole her into being one race or the other.

KB: True! We have a lot of teen and young teen members at Teen Project RACE. What advice can you give to aspiring singers or models because I know you do both?

KL: Yeah. Let me say this. What I saw on the Tyra Show was very disturbing to me. Because this is how I look at it. For those kids out there that want to be in the business whether it's modeling, singing, acting, whatever... you're always gonna be criticized. You're always gonna have someone telling you what they don't like about you. So, if kids who are multiracial don't know who they are and are having trouble accepting who they are, then they're not gonna survive in this business. You've gotta be secure and confident in who you are. I would say, my best advice is to know that it's a tough business so to be in it you better get some tough skin. Now I think because I'm biracial I have tougher skin. Ya know? I would say to kids out there. Learn how to walk the middle of the road. Know who you are on the inside but I'm telling you in this business, being biracial is a benefit. It's a positive card to have in your hand because you can play white, you can play black, you can play Latina. You can play a lot of different roles. And with modeling and acting everyone wants to make sure that they're diverse because they want to appeal to the masses. So if you have an ethnic looking person that people aren't sure what race they are, ya know, cause we get everything, we can go any direction. That's a positive. So I would say to the kids out there, embrace who you are and own it because it's going to play in your favor when you're trying to break into this business.

KB: I know you were on different seasons of American Idol, but another one of the favorite multiracial celebrity of many of our members is Jordyn Sparks.

KL: Oh yeah!

KB: Have the two of you had the chance to meet?

KL: I have met her and she is super, super sweet. We haven't really had the opportunity to have any in depths conversations. But, she's a super sweet girl and I love her voice and love her talent. And it's funny that, like we were talking about, even on American Idol, they even try to mix it up and make sure they've got that Multiracial person on the show every season. There's always at least one.

KB: You're right. So this is the time of year when high school seniors are starting their applications, and college freshmen are getting into the groove of college life. I know you went to Belmont University in Nashville, right? How did you choose Belmont and can you give any advice based on your college experience?

KL: I chose Belmont early on when I was a junior in high school. I really wanted to go there because of the music component they had the music business as well as the music school with singing and instruments. So, I wanted to go there and when I went it was a predominantly white college. There weren't many minority students that went to school there. As a matter of fact, Belmont University is an old plantation and used to be an all girls school back in the day. So they still have the slave chambers and chambers underground at our school. And the dining hall is still called the black and white dining hall. The floors are black and white checked but the key component is that all the wait staff that wait on the teachers and all the custodians at Belmont University are all black. I remember having a moment where I had to deliver a speech at school and I stood in front of my class and I said to them "Do you know how difficult it is walking around this university and not seeing any black students? The only black people on this campus are the people who work on the janitorial and wait staff. " And they wore cummerbunds and tuxedos and this is in 2000. It was tough, but I learned to look at the positive aspects of it. How things are changing and that I was a part of that change and that now I have the opportunity to go to a school that was all white at one point and that's a blessing. I loved my professors at Belmont. I have really great memories of being at Belmont University and I wouldn't trade that experience for anything.

KB: Have you had the chance to go back and visit since you've graduated?

KL: They had me back when I was on American Idol. It was a good experience.

KB: I bet they love you! I was watching the video that they showed when you sang on American Idol when your season was done and you said that you had originally set out to go to law school. That is something I am planning on as well. Are you politically active?

KL: I vote, but I'm not gonna call myself... let's just say I am not on the road to being a politician. (laugh)

KB: How did you feel, as a multiracial woman, about the election of our President?

KL: I'll be honest with you. I was a Hillary support. I loved President Clinton and to be honest with you I felt that having a woman President was as important as having a black or multiracial President. I think that it was a beautiful moment to have the choice of a multiracial man and a white woman in this election. But half way through the campaign, I switched to Obama. For me being a biracial person it was even more inspiring. I know that there were some black people out there who said he's not black enough and then there were white people out there who just looked at him as a straight black man who didn't even consider the fact that his mother is white and that he was raised by his grandmother. When he told the stories of being raised by his grandmother, I completely related to that. You know, having things said to him by his grandmother that were not loving or were a bit racial. Cuz I've been in that situation before, when it comes from the family. But for me looking at our president as a biracial man, I was very proud because I was like "wow! He's biracial just like me." But even beyond that looking at President Obama's story with his father leaving him at a very young age. It's a great story of overcoming and a great inspiration for a lot of kids. Not just multiracial kids, but a lot of black kids and a lot of white kids in America who have been abandoned by a parent and they struggle growing up trying to find their own way. I thought he's an awesome hero for just living his life and the example he sets for so many kids who are out there thinking that they can't do something because of their ethnic background or because one of their parents never showed up. And here's that kid and now he's the President of the United States!

KB: I know that you got to tackle your dream of owning a restaurant, what are some other dreams you have for your future?

KL: Oh! Gosh. I have lots of dreams. (laughs) First and foremost I want to continue singing, which I am doing. At some point I would like to cross over into movies and act. My long term goal is that I would love to have my own talk show. That's my big goal in my career. And beyond that, I think one of my dreams is to be a part of something that's bigger than me where it impacts a lot of people. And maybe that's through my talk show. But I'm working on a show that I'm pitching to networks. I really enjoy cooking so I would love to have a cooking show. And you know, I dibble and dabble in a few things. I own a little bit of real estate and I would love to get back in the restaurant business at some point in my life. But those are just a few of the things that I'd love to do.

KB: Well, you definitely can because you have all that at your fingertips.

KL: Well you know what I've realized? I was that girl whose parents got divorced living in the projects with my mom, struggling growing up. If I can do it, anyone can do it. It's just about drive and ambition and believing in your dreams. You gotta believe in yourself before anybody else can believe in you.

KB: That seems like a great place to wrap it up. Thanks so much for your time and sharing your thoughts. It's been really great talking to you.

KL: You're welcome sweetheart!