LAKISHA JONES catapulted to a household name in the 2007American Idol-driven by her critically acclaimed “And I Am Telling You”/Dreamgirls along with stirring accounts of life as a single Mom “struggling to make a better life for herself”.Broadway honored her memorable appearances from Season Six by casting her in Oprah Winfrey’s “The Color Purple”.
Lakisha Jones was raised by her mother and grandmother in Flint, Michigan. Lakisha cites her grandmother as the most important musical inspiration in her early life - always placing Lakisha in church choirs and music programs – always encouraging Lakisha to “let her voice shine”. Lakisha shied away from the spotlight but Grandmother motivated Lakisha further - believing “the world must hear her powerful voice”.
Lakisha graduated from Flint Central High School and attended the University of Michigan where she studied “Vocal Performance”. She relocated to Baltimore, Maryland where she worked at Provident Bank. Co-workers would occasionally hear Lakisha sing on the job. Excited by what they heard, everyone encouraged her to audition for American Idol. Little did they know, Lakisha had already secretly auditioned in 2003. Lakisha realized she should give it another try and more importantly, demonstrate to her daughter Brionne that “we must all find courage and follow our dreams”.So with the intention of creating a better life for her and her daughter, Lakisha drove to New York for the 2007American Idol auditions. The assistant bank manager even gave Lakisha “time off”. Following New York, there were several “call backs” - then Lakisha was on her way! Backstage and preparing for her first live Idol moment, Lakisha thought, “This is my time, this is my moment!” America heard a divinely crafted voice, singing straight from the soul. Stunned by “And I am Telling You”, America voted Lakisha into the finals.
Lakisha made her Broadway debut in Oprah Winfrey’s Tony Award nominated “The Color Purple” sharing the stage and “holding her own” with industry heavyweights - Chaka Khan and Bebe Winans. Lakisha played a “church Lady” as well as “Sophia” - a role she alternated with Chaka Khan. Chaka took a mentor interest in Lakisha and an enduring friendship was developed with the R&B legend.
Following “Color Purple”, Lakisha joined MTV’s upcoming reality competition “Legally Blonde” - a show designed to find and hone Broadway’s next star. Lakisha was able to draw upon her “Idol” reality show experience and her Broadway experience - giving her a highly competitive edge.
Lakisha is currently recording her first CD of R&B/Soul material along with an inspirational song paying homage to her strong gospel roots. Producers include Grammy Award winner Tony Nicolas (Patti Labelle, Gerald Levert, Luther Vandross), Ro & Sauce (Brandy & Neyo) and Chris Black (Yolanda Adams).
As a performer and singer, Lakisha has a jam-packed schedule but motherhood always takes top priority. Though she is currently in the studio and remains busy with her numerous projects, Lakisha still makes time to drop off and pick up her daughter from school each and everyday. Lakisha realizes that she has had the advantage of a strong support system in her mother, grandmother, and church families however, still remembering the hard times of single handedly raising her daughter. Lakisha would like to lend her support to other single mothers. Always feeling the need to give back, Lakisha will form her own foundation with the goal of providing resources and support to struggling moms. As Lakisha’s star begins to “shine even brighter”, she insists that she is still the same girl singing at her grandmother’s church in Flint, Michigan - “I am still the same ‘Kisha’.”
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