I decided to just post a new blog entry here for my interview with William Hung because well, why not?

Here is Hung with Syrus Yarbrough (“Real World: New York”), Billy Kemp (casting for “American Idol” and dozens of other reality shows) and Kristen Johnson (“Fear Factor,” “Treasure Hunters”). I know, I know. Kristen who??? CREDIT: Rodney Ho

As an Asian-American male, I’ve always had mixed feelings about Mr. Hung. It’s not really his fault but for some reason, there are no popular Asian American singers. As a result, if you asked the average person, they could probably only come up with Hung. That’s sad.

Hung appeared on season three and is the most memorable entity from that year except for Fantasia thanks to his bizarrely bad take on “She Bangs” and his earnest response to the criticisms. In the end, he has managed to carve out quite a career as a side-show curiosity. He didn’t dispute Randy Jackson’s contention earlier this year that Hung has made more than $1 million from commercial endorsements, corporate gigs (he did a Microsoft party in Atlanta in 2004), random event appearances (like his time at the Atlanta Motor Speedway in 2004) and three CDs which have in total outsold most “Idol” contestants. His first two CDs moved more than 400,000 copies total, but third one in 2005, not so much.

As most of you know, the basic joke is Hung can’t really sing particularly well. He can’t dance well. He’s not Brad Pitt. He’s dorky. But he’s got an endearing innocence about him. And he hasn’t really lost that despite this odd C-list fame he’s achieved.

He’s now 24 years old, a bit heavier than he was in 2004 but visually the same. At the press conference, he wore a Hawaiian shirt, khakis and slightly slicked back hair.

He still lives with his parents, Henry and Stella Hung, in Los Angeles. As his manager and agent, they book his gigs and negotiate his contracts, basically running William Hung Inc. His mom even flew to the press conference today with him to promote the “Dreams N2 Reality” seminar he’ll be attending in August 4 at Philips Arena. She didn’t want to be interviewed but I did see her talking to the organizer about how they were going to get paid. (Half for coming to the press conference, half when he comes to Atlanta in August.) When I asked what they did for a living before “Idol,” he said, “They want to be private. Let’s talk entertainment.”

I get the impression his big paydays are well behind him, that there’s diminishing returns being William Hung, “Idol” reject 2004. I tried to get specifics about his recent gigs and upcoming gigs. He said he has done some “regional” commercials for Hollywood Tan and Mitsubishi. And the only example of a public appearance (beyond this seminar) he could scrounge up is an upcoming event judging a talent contest at a horse park in Oklahoma City called Remington Park. Here’s the press release with this breathless lead sentence: “The buzz continues to build in anticipation of William Hung and his performance on Karaoke Championship Night at Remington Park on June 28.”

His Web site has not had an updated “upcoming appearance” since January 2007, though I’m not sure if that means anything. He said he doesn’t have a basic rate, that everything is negotiable. So if you want him at your wedding or summer pool party, feel free to email him!

Shockingly, when he does play judge at these talent contests, “some people want me to be Simon but I’ll never be Simon. I’m more like Randy. I’m not going to say anything meanspirited.” (I can’t imagine anything meanspirited coming out of his mouth, actually.)

He still has to sing “She Bangs” a lot but he really enjoys “Achy Breaky Heart.” (Take that, Billy Ray Cyrus!) He said he performed it on “Larry King Live” earlier this year. Dang. I missed that!

Hung isn’t a man of stupendous observations. I asked him, for instance, about Sanjaya. “He’s very unique,” Hung said. “It’s hard to describe him.” Hard to describe Sanjaya?

As for changing his look or fixing his overbite, Hung said he has no plans to do so. “I don’t really need to change,” he said. “The record company [Koch Records, which released his three CDs] likes the way I am. And I like the way I am.”

He’s not dating and hasn’t had any serious girlfriends despite the fame. “I’m still a little shy,” he said. (I can’t imagine living with his parents helps him in this category.)

“I want a relationship that lasts,” he added. “I’m a little conservative. I just want someone who really understands me.”

As for the issue of him perpetuating negative Asian stereotypes, he demurs. “Of course not! That’s terrible. I tell kids the same thing: ‘Never give up. Believe in your dreams!’ I believe I’ve become an inspirational symbol. That’s not a negative stereotype.”

Then Hung said what I thought was his most true statement when I asked, “Do you think there is a point where you won’t be able to sustain yourself as a celebrity?”

“Not yet. But there is a natural cycle in the entertainment business. So if I have to stop, I can get my degree [he was a junior at Berkeley pursuing a civil engineering degree when he tried out for “Idol”] and choose another goal in my life.”