Remember Kristy Lee Cook from season seven of “American Idol?” The country singing Seattle native made to the Top 24, but she was repeatedly berated by the judges and often found herself in the bottom three before she was finally eliminated in seventh place.
Like many other “Idols” who were eliminated before the finale, Cook has been able to stretch her reality fame into other opportunities. She is the star of a reality show called “Goin Country” on the Versus channel. The show follows her around the country as she tries to land a record deal. But, because Versus is a sports channel, Cook also participates in hunts.
Naturally, that would attract the attention of the animal right’s organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA).
Of the show, a spokesperson released a statement which read, “Instead of angering thousands of would-be fans by killing helpless animals on camera in attempt to get her ’15 Minutes of Shame,’ Kristy Lee Cook’s fame crusade would be better served by following in the footsteps of fellow Idol alum-turned-country-stars Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler — as well as Simon Cowell — all of whom have used their fame and talent to speak up for animals.”
If you are wondering what the others have done, Underwood is a vegetarian, Picker wears only fake fur, and Cowell has been an advocate of animal adoption.
If you thought pretty little Cook, who seemed rather demure on the show, would take this lying down, you thought wrong. She said in an interview with FOX411, “Given that hunters have done more for American wildlife conservation than any other group in history, I make no apology for being one.” She added, “Indeed, I join the ranks of millions of American hunters who celebrate our outdoor heritage and who conserve millions of acres of wild lands. These same people support more than 600,000 jobs across the country and provide a critical voice to encourage more investment in American conservation.”
While she did acknowledge that some people would oppose her hunting, she also noted she took some non-supports with her, such as her sister, and they changed their minds about hunting.
If it makes PETA any happier (and I doubt it does), Cook does say that she is an advocate of eating organic food and the meat from deer killed during the outing with her sister was given to an orphanage. And, her show highlights her charity “Kristy Lee Horse Heaven Foundation,” which rescues horses neglected and abused horses.