Nov. 11, 2003) “American Idol” Update: I love “American Idol” like Whitney Houston loves Bobby Brown. It’s more like an infatuation. My unwavering affection for the show made me curious about what some of my favorite “Idol” contestants were up to since competing on the Fox series. Here’s an update on those I could track down.
Trenyce: I had an in-depth conversation with this Memphis, Tenn.-based singer on the telephone last week, and I enjoyed every minute of it. I made no secrets that this was my favorite contestant during the second season of the reality competition, and after seeing her live on “American Idols Live!” I was even more impressed by her vocal prowess.
Trenyce is a southern belle who uses “ma’am” and “sir.” It’s no secret that she’s a bonafide talent. Even the legendary Clive Davis pulled her to the side backstage at one of the “Idol” tour dates and told her, “I haven’t seen anyone sing like you since Whitney Houston was young,” though the esteemed executive hasn’t signed her to either RCA or J Records as of yet.
Nonetheless, Trenyce is still working on new material and already recorded three original songs that she, herself, wrote. “I’ve been blessed to have some really wonderful people helping me like Fred Bronson of Billboard magazine and actress Sheryl Lee Ralph,” shared Trenyce. The singer recently performed Whitney’s “I Have Nothing” at Sheryl’s “Diva Simply Singing” benefit in Los Angeles, and Ralph also helped secure Trenyce’s audition for the lead role in Broadway’s “Aida.” The role is currently being played be Toni Braxton, who will be followed by Michelle Williams of Destiny’s Child, and then by none other than Trenyce. “The cast director told me that he hadn’t heard anyone sing the songs like I did since Heather Headley originated the role. I’m not sure when I start, but it all depends on if Michelle extends her contract in January or not,” she shared. Trenyce has been performing spot dates around the country with other “Idol” contestants. “I have dates booked throughout the rest of the year and basically they’ll carry me right up until I begin ‘Aida,’ she explained.
The down-to-earth darling was also quite frank about the Oct. 1999 felony theft charge that made tabloid headlines during the height of the “American Idol” finals. “I never really got a chance to talk about that,” said Trenyce. “I dealt with that. I never attempted to come across as perfect. We all have done stuff and regret it. I helped a friend, and I shouldn’t have. I got in trouble, and it came off my record. The stories were really negative and I blame the show -- they knew this going in -- for not allowing me to comment on it. I was in the wrong place at the wrong time, and I paid for that. I was only concerned with how people back home were treating my family. I was concerned with how they were dealing with having to see and read this.”
Despite it all, Trenyce has moved on and is anticipating a great career in music. Right now, she’s looking for a solid music industry manager (someone tell Benny Medina) and hopes to ink a record deal early next year. “Before “American Idol” I was frustrated and struggling,” admitted Trenyce. “Now I am doing what I love to do.”
On a side note, Trenyce is dating a very pleasant Memphis attorney named Donald. I also spoke on the phone with Donald, who laughed when he realized I was the same person who was on the Doug Banks Morning Show talking about how beautiful Trenyce was and begging anyone in Memphis who knew her to hook me up with a date. If you’d like to contact Trenyce, you can e-mail her directly at
Trenyce1@aol.com or visit her online at
www.idolonfox.com/contestants/trenyce.htm.
Ruben Studdard: Ruben may be this season’s “American Idol,” but we all see that Clay Aiken is getting all of the attention. (I don’t recall Justin Guarini’s album coming out before Kelly Clarkson’s. But I digress.) According to the label, Ruben’s album “Soulful” will drop next year and will feature production from R. Kelly, Missy Elliott and other top producers. The album will also feature a duet with label mate Tamyra Gray, and a collaboration with rapper Fat Joe. For more information on Ruben, go to
www.jrecords.com/Ruben-Studdard/.
Kimberly Locke: The full-figured contestant, who ended up being the second runner up, has inked a deal with Nashville, Tenn.-based Curb Records. The label is known for its country acts like Wynonna Judd and Leann Rimes, but Kimberly, who is from Nashville, will definitely be releasing an R&B/pop record. For more information on Kimberly, go to
www.Curb.com.
Corey Clark: Corey was the contestant disqualified from the show when producers claimed they didn’t know he was facing assault charges in Kansas. Corey was eventually cleared of the charges, but that was after the show made him leave. Even so, Corey is now working on new music. “I’ve recorded about 17 songs. My sound is a blend of R&B, alternative and hip-hop,” he said by phone from a studio in California. Though he hasn’t landed a record deal yet, Corey hopes to score one soon. The singer has been performing several live shows and actually has one coming up in Oklahoma City, Okla. with Chingy. You can find more information on Corey at
www.CoreyClarkOnline.com.
Tamyra Gray: Season one contestant Tamyra was a favorite of mine as well. There were rumors that J Records had dropped her, but the label assures me that’s not true. “She’s still recording and we’re hoping to put her album out early next year,” said a label rep. Tamyra has been acting pretty regularly. She had a recurring role on “Boston Public” last season and recently guest-starred on UPN’s “Half & Half” this season. Tamyra is also featured on “American Idol” Kelly Clarkson’s CD, “Thankful,” on a duet called “You Thought Wrong,” which is likely to be Kelly’s next single.
Ricky Smith: “Hercules! Hercules!” Yep, Ricky became famous for his impersonation of those famous words from “The Nutty Professor,” but now, the singer wants to become famous for his vocals. “People still notice me, and they’ll see me and point and look at you while you’re eating. I’m just having a great time,“ said Ricky via phone. The Dallas bred singer is now residing in Los Angeles where he’s working on a new album he plans to shop for a record deal. He’s been working with producer/songwriter Madukwu Chinwah who has worked with artists like Erykah Badu, Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg. Ricky also maintains a friendship with all season two “Idol” participants. “I am really close with Ruben, and Clay and I had lunch the other day,” he said.
Charles Grigsby: The bright-smiled singer drew immediate comparisons to Usher while on the show, but the Oberlin, Ohio-based singer wants to make a name for himself. Charles has been doing a lot of public speaking dates, promotional appearances and some singing dates. He’s headed to Atlanta in the coming weeks with Tamyra Gray and R.J. Helton to judge “Delta Idol,” which is an “American Idol”-inspired competition that Delta Airlines is holding. “I recently signed with an agency that’s working to get my record deal and help me get acting work,” said Charles. The singer is slated to appear on an upcoming episode of the Anthony Anderson sitcom, “All About the Andersons.”
“Idol” fans will be glad to know that “An American Idol Christmas” will air on Tuesday, Nov. 25 at 8 p.m. EST. In addition to performances by Ruben and Kelly, the show will also feature Tamyra, Kimberly, Clay and Christina Christian.