Normal native Leah Marlene advances to Top 3 on ‘American Idol’

Posted on May 16, 2022
Leah Marlene is moving on to the grand finale of ‘American Idol’ Sunday, May 22 at 7 p.m. on Heart of Illinois ABC. (Facebook/Leah Marlene)

By Neil Doyle and HOI ABC

NORMAL – Normal native Leah Marlene is moving on to the top three on singing competition ‘American Idol.’

Marlene sang her own renditions of ‘I’ll Stand By You’ by The Pretenders and ‘Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)’ by Journey. During the episode, contestants were guided by former ‘Idol’ champion and Grammy award-winning artist Carrie Underwood. For Marlene, she says it was a dream come true.

The Bloomington-Normal community gathered Sunday night for the Leah Marlene Watch Party at Normal West High School. Leah’s dad, Derry Grehan, was at the event and he spoke with WJBC’s Scott Miller.

The community gathered Sunday night for the Leah Marlene watch party at Normal West High School. (Scott Miller/WJBC)

“It’s overwhelming and incredible. Who would have ever known this. It is so heartwarming what the town has done and the way everyone has exploded and the popularity of Leah. She is so overwhelmed by it all and what can I say, it’s just really great,” said Grehan.

The grand finale of ‘American Idol’ will air next Sunday, May 22 at 7:00 PM on Heart of Illinois ABC.

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