Former ‘American Idol’ Nikki McKibbin Rumors Not True Says Rep

Rumors that “American Idol” Season One finalist Nikki McKibbin was taken to a psychiatric ward after becoming suicidal are false, a rep for the singer told Access Hollywood.

“Nikki broke her foot,” the rep told Access. “She was prescribed pain medication that induced a very bad reaction. Nikki did not attempt suicide nor does she have any plans on doing so!”

McKibbin was taken under psychiatric observation, but her rep said it was because she refused to go to the hospital in an ambulance.

Police stepped in and “decided that it was in Nikki’s best interest to go to the hospital, so they took her,” the rep said. “If the police take you, psychiatric observation is mandatory.”

The former “Idol,” who made it to the final three in Season One against Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, was prescribed new pain medication and released from the hospital.

Earlier this month, Star magazine reported that Nikki was depressed over her mother’s death last August and had called a friend claiming she wanted “to live with my mom in heaven.”

However, her rep said this was also false, saying McKibbin “loves life and understands how important it is, not only to her family and friends but to herself as well.”

McKibbin is currently in Fort Worth, Texas, writing songs for the follow up to her album “Unleashed,” which was released in July 2007. She also laid down two tracks for “American Christmas,” an “American Idol” holiday album, due in late 2008, the rep said.