By HOI ABC
NORMAL – Most musicians can only dream of having their big break. Now, an ‘American Idol’ contestant from central Illinois is on the verge of getting hers.
Leah Marlene was born in Toronto, moving to Normal with her family when she was three. From an early age, music was always a big part of her life. As early as eight years old, she was signing on to perform gigs at public venues around town and across the area.
About a year go, she decided to make her passion her full-time job. Dropping out of school and moving back into her parent’s home to focus on her career, she released a new album just last week.
“There was never a question in my mind it was what I wanted to do. What kid doesn’t want to grow up and be a singer?” she says.
But her life truly changed when producers for ‘American Idol’ called her to request an audition. For the chance to perform on national television, let alone in front of music icons Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, and Luke Bryan, it was an opportunity she couldn’t pass up.
After months of waiting, her performance of One Direction’s ‘Steal My Girl’ and an original work received a resounding unanimous vote from the judges on national television. It was more than enough to send her off to ‘Hollywood Week,’ punching her golden ticket to move to the next round.
For Leah, it’s a chance for her to thank everyone who’s shown support over the years as she continues to pursue her music dreams, all while showing some Twin Cities representation along the way.
“I’ve just had so many people lift me up and support me over the years, so much support since i started doing this thing,” she says. “So to be able to give back to them and have this very exciting thing happening, it feels really, really good and just so cool.”
Leah wasn’t able to tell us how Hollywood Week went just yet, but you can see the results for yourself in the coming weeks. ‘American Idol’ airs Sunday nights at 7:00 PM on Heart of Illinois ABC.
