Former “American Idol” contestant Kristy Lee Cook is starring in her own reality show, entitled “Goin’ Country,” which focuses on Cook’s hunt for a record deal. Occasionally, a more literal hunt leads the country singer into the wild, rifle in hand.
Cook, 26, placed seventh in the seventh season of “America Idol.” She inked a record deal at 17 with Arista Nashville prior to appearing on “Idol.” Cook and Arista Nashville parted ways in 2008. Cook has since been without a label.
Each of “Goin’ Country”s eight episodes presents Cook tracking a different quarry. She hunts pheasant in Kansas, kills her first black bear in Wisconsin, and pursues turkey in Missouri.
Family, friends and fellow “Idol” contestant Blake Lewis also join the hunt.
Cook recounted her killing of a troublesome black bear in an Oregonian barn to Fox 411 .
“One night I was walking in the house and I saw something standing in the door of my barn and I got him in one shot,” said Cook.
Cook told Fox 411 that she hopes her show will bring people together and cast the act of hunting for food in a new light.
“I’m hoping that people will see the hunts as a chance to hang with family and friends and share an experience,” said Cook. “It’s so much fun in the outdoors and when you harvest something for the meat it really means much more than just going out to the grocery store and buying it.”
Cook said she believed the show is a combination of the best of both her worlds.
“I love my music,” said Cook. “I’m fighting for my music career and we’re working on that and hunting season is coming up so I’m taking a lot of people out hunting. Both things take the same instincts.”