ROC4LIFE

Singer Leah LaBelle is on her way to the top, after winning over millions of hearts on Fox’s American Idol. The sultry R&B songstress sat down with PYNK to talk music, llfe after Idol, and what we can expect from her new album.

Wearing an array of rock star chic looks, Jermaine Dupri’s new protege’ lights up this spread with a style as bright and colorful and as her shinning star. Here are a few exerpts from her interview.

PYNK: What made you decide to pursue a career in music?
LL: I was always singing because my parents were musicians and there was always music around the house. At the age of three, they have a video of me dancing around and singing and loving every moment of it. And that’s how I knew that’s something I‘ve always wanted to do. I didn’t know I wanted to do it as a career until I was about seven and saw “Sister Act II” for the first time in theatres. And I realized there was more to it than just singing around the house. I’m watching Lauryn Hill on the stage and I started figuring out that I wanted to add all the elements to singing that I could—dancing, being on stage, performing, entertaining for crowds.

PYNK: What was life like after American Idol?
LL: I was a junior in high school so as soon as I got kicked off I had to go right back to school and it was the weirdest thing because you’re thinking you’re going to win and then it’s back to school with a back pack and all the homework that I missed. You’re back in the real world but it made me want to work harder at writing to eventually get my music out to the world. After that I went to New York to work with some producers and after I graduate high school I kept working. I didn’t stop, it motivated me to want to work harder and not let myself sit in a place where I felt like I failed.

PYNK: What’s been the best experience of working on your debut album?
LL: It’s been such a whirlwind, I’ve been trying to live in each moment but I’m so blessed and happy to even be experiencing working and learning with such legends and growing and taking a step outside of myself and see what they have to teach me. I feel very honored to be in the presence of such powerful people.

— Rae Holliday