Thousands gather in Uptown Normal to welcome home Leah Marlene

Posted on May 18, 2022
Normal native Leah Marlene. (Neil Doyle/WJBC)

By Neil Doyle

NORMAL – Thousands of people gathered in Uptown Normal Tuesday night to celebrate Leah Marlene.

The Normal native returned home as she continues her journey on the singing competition ‘American Idol’ and will compete in the finale this Sunday.

Normal Mayor Chris Koos and Leah Marlene. (Neil Doyle/WJBC)

Normal Mayor Chris Koos proclaimed May 17, 2022 as “Leah Marlene Day” during a speech at Uptown Circle.

“I encourage you all to extend a collective and heartfelt congratulations to Leah Marlene and urge all residents of our town to recognize this talented and gracious young woman,” said Koos.

Leah rode through a parade in Uptown then performed for the crowd.

“You know how many times I’ve played right here? Sometimes there would be like two people in the circle, sometimes there were a lot more, but there sure as heck has never been this many people on the circle,” Marlene told the crowd.

“I’m doing this for you guys. This is not about me, this is for this community, and you guys are the reason that I’m here,” said Marlene.

Thousands of people gathered in Uptown Normal Tuesday night to welcome home Leah Marlene. (Neil Doyle/WJBC)

The 20-year-old singer-songwriter is a graduate of Normal West High School. She has been performing at community events such as the Sugar Creek Arts Festival and the Sweet Corn Circus since the age of nine.

Marlene will compete in the ‘American Idol’ finale this Sunday at 7 p.m. on Heart of Illinois ABC.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

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