Leah LaBelle was widely considered to be a true contender on the third season of Idol at the outset, as she was selected as a wild card choice by Paula Abdul. Unfortunately, the then-17-year-old faltered on her most important performance when she took on The Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On" during Top 12 week. Watch the performance below:
Despite her early exit, Leah has gone on to carve out a career in the music industry, taking one step at a time and making friends with some powerful figures and up-and-coming artists like Keri Hilson, Steph Jones and even Jordin Sparks. Leah is definitely one of the faces to watch in terms of new artists that will be rising in the ranks in years to come.
Steph Jones celebrated his birthday party in Los Angeles, Calif., on Fri., July 3. Not surprisingly, his girlfriend, Jordin Sparks, was in tow. What was a little surprising was how uncomfortable things got when a pole dancer named Nicole Williams treated Jones to a show in front of the party's attendees. See what happened below in video courtesy of Blackarazzi:
If you think that's uncomfortable, just watch part two. Yes it's true that this pole dancer is supposedly a friend of Steph's to begin with, so it makes the whole situation a little less awkward.
Regardless of what Jordin was really thinking, though, Blackarazzi's take on the whole deal is humorous just the same.
The following are Idol-related odds and ends that happened this week:
>Only days after the story broke in Ladies Home Journal that Paula Abdul admitted to entering rehab last November for addiction to painkillers as reported here, she comes out and refutes it. Per EW.com:
On Detroit's WKQI radio station, Abdul insisted she checked into the spa for a vacation, not a rehab stint. "I just wanted to chill out and get massages," Abdul said on the air this morning.
So which is it, Paula? You admit in your own words that you want to rehab and now you want to take back what you said? Really disappointing.
>The episode of Disney Channel's Hannah Montana that featured David Archuleta starring in a guest role aired Sunday, which included a duet between him and the show's star, Miley Cyrus. Watch the duet below:
David has been in Great Britain this week for the overseas leg of his solo tour with McFly, and is currently in Manchester.
>Jordin Sparks made a few waves at the Los Angeles Lakers playoff game Wednesday night when she was caught receiving a kiss from newly revealed boyfriend Steph Jones. The two have been keeping the relationship under wraps according to LoveBScott.com
In other Jordin news, two new producers for her upcoming sophomore album have been confirmed: Dr. Luke and Stargate, who join the previously announced Toby Gad as contributors to the album.
>Diana DeGarmo and Tom Lowe sat down with for his "Arts in Review" program on KPFK 90.7 FM in to discuss their current starring roles in the Los Angeles production of Back to Bacharach and David at The Music Box @ Fonda. Earlier in the week the pair split performances of "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" at the LA Dodgers game on Monday.
2009 is going to be a big year for Katharine McPhee! In the fall, she will be returning with a new album, new video, new tour and more! Get yourself ready with a brand new iPod Touch and a signed t-shirt!
Sounds like a host of big things are planned for Kat this year.
Leah LaBelle, Paula's wild card pick back on Season 3 of Idol, had a short stay on the show, placing 12th. But she has been smart with her post-Idol career, which has all the markings of big things to come.
Leah, who was born to Bulgarian parents and former pop group members Troshan and Anastasia Vladowski, is currently attending Berklee College of Music in Boston. She chose to hone her craft by going to school rather than jump right into the music industry, which was a very savvy idea.
Leah has found a new friend in YouTube, on which she has established a new channel dedicated to reminding fans (and gaining new ones) of her R&B sound. In total, she has recorded five videos, not including a cover of J. Holiday's "Bed" that used to be on her channel and featured up-and-coming R&B singer Steph Jones, who is on Def Jam with Ludacris' Disturbing tha Peace Records.
Below is one of her latest attempts at showcasing her unique vocals, this time on Rihanna's current hit single "Take a Bow." The video was uploaded on April 24.
IDOL LIVE is the place to stay up to date with the most current news on past, present and possibly future American Idol contestants, in addition to discussing the show in real-time as it happens.
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