Season two American Idol finalist Kimberley Locke hates to be bored.

"The busier I am, the better I am. I think and function better and get a lot more accomplished when I have a thousand things to do as opposed to two," the 29-year-old said in a phone interview with Michigan Live.

Locke, who finished third in 2003 behind runner-up Clay Aiken and winner Ruben Studdard, hasn't allowed the show to be her career's crowning jewel.

The contemporary pop/R&B singer-songwriter and aspiring actress has commanded success on the charts and diversified her projects.

"I think you move on from that because your career is so much bigger than American Idol at the end of the day. American Idol is huge, but you can't sit around and think about it all the time. Because really, I have no connection to (Idol). They didn't sign me," she said.

Locke said she's tried to take advantage of the "many opportunities" after the show, including becoming a plus-size model for fashion retailer Lane Bryant. She also opened her own restaurant - Croton Creek Steakhouse & Wine Bar, in Croton Falls, N.Y. - with friends in January.

Locke also spent time on TV this year as a participant on VH1's "Celebrity Fit Club 5." Her verbal wrangles with "Saved by the Bell" star and comedian Dustin Diamond caught the attention of many viewers.

"There was a lot of drama on the show ... but other than that, it was a very positive experience," she said. "I got a Jenny Craig endorsement deal ... from being a part of that show."

Locke's sophomore album, "Based on a True Story," which dropped May 1, is enjoying success. The first single "Change" is a top 10 Billboard AC hit. Her new single, a remake of Freda Payne's "Band of Gold," also is finding popularity.

Her music brings her and her band to Grand Rapids, MI tonight to perform before the fireworks at Celebration on the Grand. She will sign autographs and meet with fans after her performance.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.