LaKisha Jones facts for kids

Quick facts for kids LaKisha Jones
LaKisha Jones in The American Idol Experience motorcade at Walt Disney World.
Background information
Birth name	LaKisha Ann Jones
Origin	Flint, Michigan, United States
Genres	R&B, soul, gospel
Occupation(s)	Singer, plus-size model
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	2007–present
Labels	Elite Music LLC

LaKisha Ann Jones is an American singer. She became famous after placing fourth on the sixth season of American Idol.

About LaKisha Jones

LaKisha Jones was born in Flint, Michigan. Her grandmother, Ruth Jefferson Morris, raised her. LaKisha was an only child.

Early Life and Music

LaKisha started singing at her church, Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, when she was just five years old. She learned classical music, but her favorite type of music was gospel music. She always dreamed of becoming a singer.

She was home schooled in Flint. Later, she went to Flint Central High School. There, she performed in a play called Lead Poisoning. She also sang with a group called the Madrigal Singers. After graduating in 1998, LaKisha studied music at the University of Michigan-Flint. While in college, she acted in the play Godspell.

LaKisha shared in her Idol interview that Flint, Michigan, was her true home. She was a single mom with a five-year-old daughter. Her daughter encouraged her to try out for American Idol.

Moving and Working

LaKisha moved to Houston, Texas, and lived there for six years. One of her first jobs in Houston was as a secretary at Abundant Life Cathedral. This was a large church with 7,000 members. Before working there, LaKisha sang in the church's 70-member choir. Famous gospel singer Yolanda Adams also came from this choir.

In 2006, LaKisha moved to Fort Meade, Maryland. She wanted to be closer to her family there. She got a job as a bank teller at Provident Bank. She left this job when she moved to Hollywood to compete on American Idol.

Talent Shows

Before American Idol, LaKisha won Flint's talent show, The Supershow, in 1997. While living in Houston, she also took second place in the 2005 Gimme the Mic competition.

Family Life

On October 5, 2008, LaKisha married Larry Davis, a financial advisor, in Beverly Hills, California. She has two daughters.

LaKisha on American Idol

LaKisha Jones became widely known after appearing on American Idol.

Auditioning for Idol

LaKisha auditioned for American Idol by singing "Think" by Aretha Franklin. The judges were very impressed with her strong voice. Simon Cowell, one of the judges, said he "loved this girl." After she was chosen for the next round, LaKisha was shown hugging her daughter happily.

During her farewell video, it was shown that she also sang "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" in her audition. She also performed Stevie Wonder's "Until You Come Back To Me" during one of the Hollywood audition rounds.

American Idol Performances and Results

• During one results show, LaKisha was announced as safe and in the top three.
• Another time, she was in the bottom three but was declared safe when Sanjaya Malakar was eliminated.
• Because of the Idol Gives Back special performance, the Top 6 contestants stayed for another week.

After American Idol

After American Idol, LaKisha Jones joined the Top 10 Idols on the Idols tour. Her solo performance of "I Will Always Love You" received great reviews. She also sang the Star-Spangled Banner at Comerica Park before a Detroit Tigers baseball game on June 8, 2007.

Homecoming Events

LaKisha had two special homecoming events. The first was at the Abundant Life Cathedral Church in Houston, Texas, on May 30, 2007. Houston was her home from 2000 to 2006. This day was even named 'LaKisha Jones Day' in Houston by Mayor Bill White.

Her second homecoming was at Atwood Stadium in Flint, Michigan, on June 9, 2007. This is where LaKisha was born and grew up, and where most of her family still lives. At this event, she received a $6,000 check and a free six-month lease on a new Buick LaCrosse car. She also got a special Flint watch, personalized tree ornaments, and a card signed by 300 fans.

Broadway and Other Projects

In late September 2007, it was announced that LaKisha would join the Broadway musical The Color Purple. Starting January 9, 2008, she took on the role of the church soloist. She also played the role of Sofia during some daytime shows, filling in for Chaka Khan.

In June 2008, LaKisha helped coach the girls on MTV's show Legally Blonde: The Musical – The Search for Elle Woods. She showed them how to sing "Amazing Grace" using different vocal techniques. In May 2008, she appeared on American Idol Extra and sang "Just As I Am" from her upcoming album.

Her first song, "So Glad I'm Me," was released on October 21, 2008. It was written by Melanie Rutherford and produced by Edwin Nicholas, who worked with famous soul musicians like Patti LaBelle. Her album with the same title, So Glad I'm Me, was released on May 19, 2009.

LaKisha Jones also competed on the 2013 season of The Winner Is. She performed "Lady Marmalade" but was eliminated in the first round.

Music Albums and Songs

Albums

EPs (Extended Plays)

Singles (Individual Songs)