American Idol: Paula Creamer

You still live at home with your parents. I assume your room is pink?

Yes. A lot of things are pink.

What posters are on the walls?

Jessica Simpson. I have two of her pictures from magazines. I have an American flag. I have a huge collage of my friends from California. I have my name in Thai, and I have a huge Pink Panther doll. It's so big you can move his arms. When you leave home, what are the best perks of LPGA life? I like the courtesy cars. This week we get Land Rovers. That's my dream car, and I get to drive one all week. Last night I went driving for 20 minutes just to be driving that car.

Why not buy it?

I might.

Do your friends make fun of you for not owning your own car?

Oh, all of the time. Casey [former Oklahoma State All-American Casey Wittenberg] makes fun of me so much. He says, "How do you have all of this money" -- that he thinks I have -- "and you don't have your own car?" My dad won't let me get a car yet.

Why?

I don't know. You'll have to ask him. I think he's afraid.

Ever been caught speeding?

No.

Any near-death experiences?

I don't think so. I was in a car accident once. I think I was 7. My dad was driving me to school, and he tried to go around this car on the right. The sun was real bad, and this pole was sticking out the back of a parked truck. The pole went right through the windshield. Because I was so little and low, it went over my head.

That's a near-death experience.

I guess, but I don't remember it real well. My dad said, "What do you want to do now?" I said, "Let's go get doughnuts."

Are you a bad driver?

No, I'm a great driver.

You got pulled over in a golf cart; you can't be that good. What happened there?

My friend Taylor lived on the golf course. The worst thing we ever did was take a golf cart, and we were driving on a main road when we were 15. It was a country club road, and we went on the sidewalk. A police officer pulled us over. She asked us if we had a permit or registration. But she let us go.

Who was driving?

I think I was. That was the worst trouble we got into. There was never drinking or anything like that.

You ever been out drinking?

No. I don't drink.

What happened after you won at Evian and Lorie Kane [Creamer's designated Big Sister on tour] took you out to celebrate?

I was with everybody, and I was the designated driver. I drank water.

But still no OK on the car from your dad?

I guess that's the last thing he has control over. . . . That's the last thing before I buy a house. I keep telling him, "Dad, eventually I need to get a car." And I really want a dog. One I can travel with.

What's the nicest thing you've bought for your parents?

I told my mom that when I won an event I was going to buy her a name-brand purse. I did. I bought her a Louis Vuitton bag. It's a beautiful bag. I bought my dad clothes, but he doesn't like gifts. He doesn't like being given clothes, even if they're for free; he isn't like that. I bought him a new wallet that he wanted.

What's the nicest thing you've bought for yourself?

Most expensive? There are a lot of things that are nice to me, but they aren't nice to other people. I really wanted that bag. [Points to a bag on the chair.] I wanted that bag forever. I put a picture of that purse in my wallet. Actually I still have it. [Starts fishing through her wallet.] I kept it in there because it was hard for me to save money, and if it was in there it would help me. [She finds the picture of the Vuitton purse on a neatly folded page from People magazine.] Here it is. I keep it in there to remind me that's what I wanted.

How long have you had that?

I wonder if the issue date is on it. . . . It doesn't say. Probably four years. Look, there's Britney Spears, still dating Justin Timberlake.

Speaking of that: Britney or Christina Aguilera?

Britney. . . . I don't know, that's tough. Britney is kind of weird now. I'd say right now . . . Christina.

Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood?

Kelly Clarkson.

Cats or dogs?

Dogs.

Tom Brady or Joe Montana?

Tom Brady. No, Joe Montana, 49ers. Tom Brady is cuter, but Joe Montana is the man.

MTV or VH1?

MTV.

Rap or rock?

Rap. Depending on the mood. Probably rap more, though.

"The OC" or "Laguna Beach"?

OC -- it's one of my favorite shows.

Favorite movie?

I like "Shrek." I like "Pretty Woman." "Curly Sue." I like "Dirty Dancing." Every girl likes "Dirty Dancing." [Does her best Patrick Swayze impression.] "Nobody puts Baby in a corner." [Laughs.]

Thumbs up or down on Harry Potter?

Up. I read the first one, and I'm in the middle of the second one.

Jack or Arnie?

You can't ask that question; that's tough. I've met them both. Can I say both? Both.

Tiger or Phil?

Gosh. I'd go Tiger.

Wie or Pressel?

You can't do that! Morgan won't give up on the golf course. Neither will Michelle. Michelle is an awesome player, but . . . that's tough. You have a three-footer to win a tournament but can't putt it. You have to have Michelle or Morgan putt it for you. Who are you going with? [Pause.] It doesn't really matter. They're both going to make it.