Leah Labelle – “Sexify” – Listen to the New Single

By On 03/13/2012 · 20 Comments · In American Idol

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File this under: It’s never too late to score a hot record deal if you’re an American Idol alum. Do you remember Leah Labelle? She was an Idol finalist wayyyy back in season 3. She was eliminated in 12th place, so she didn’t even have the opportunity to tour. Her performances were generally cringe-worthy pitch-fests, but she was also only 17 at the time.

To jog your memory further-her mom was a pop star in Bulgaria. During one of mom’s tours, the family made the decision to defect to the west.

The point is? Eight years later, Leah has a shiny record contract with Epic, where producers Pharrell and Jermaine Dupri have taken her under their wing.

Her first major label single is “Sexify”.

That’s got kind of a cool, catchy throw-back vibe doesn’t it? Kinda 90′s?

So, if your Idol fav isn’t signed yet? Don’t lose hope. Leah and Chris Richardson are examples of what can result from Idol exposure and a little perseverance.

Leah sings “You Keep Me Hanging On” after her elimination.

Look who’s sharing the bottom 2 with Leah. There ya go.

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  • Valentin432

    Seems like Paula Abdul was right all this time ;)

  • Anonymous

    I think in some cases idol just jumps the gun and get these guys before they are quite ready.  I thought she had raw talent but was just under-cooked back then.  Always glad when someone rises from the idol ashes.  Gives me hope for some of my favorites who have yet to break.  Trenyce and Syesha, I can’t wait forever!

  • Kylee

    Wow she’s with Epic? This really does prove if you aren’t signed immediately after idol, you still might get there eventually.

  • Chris

    Nope, don’t remember her. And that’s why you have to strike while the iron is hot.

  • Anonymous

    Erm, but she’s signed, and working with Pharell and Jermaine Dupri, so whether she is remembered isn’t exactly the point.  That iron was cold.

  • Chris

    MJ asked “do we remember Leah?” The answer is no. She won’t get any buzz from being on Idol 8 seasons ago so there must be more to how they hooked up. Of course prior contestants can be successful Jessica was an AGT cast off but the buzz goes away after the next crop shows up.

  • Anonymous

    Good for Leah.

    I agree abbysee.  I’m sure the reason she went on AI was to get signed which she now is.  And she is signed to a major label.  I don’t think whether people remember her or not is going to impact her career. She will just be like the majority of new artists that did not get their start on a reality tv show. Her material and how they market and promote her is what is going to make the difference.

  • Anonymous

    Leah is also friends with Keri Hilson if I remember correctly. Pretty sure Leah has been doing some behind-the-scenes stuff for a few steady years now.

  • Kitwana

    It’s like Kimberly Caldwell from Season 2 releasing her CD with Capitol Records last year. Big difference is Leah is still relatively young at 25, making her more attractive as a long term project for big time producers whereas Kimberly had probably waited a bit too long, releasing her debut 29. Will be interesting to see how their outcomes compare.

  • Anonymous

    Leah has probably been working towards this ever since S3, so good for her. The song’s ok…I could see it getting some radio play…especially since it looks like she has the support of some heavy hitters

  • ronnie

    She sounds really good, I think it’s an advantage to her that so much time has passed, I can see her getting another check-out from people, but I’m just not into this genre

  • Anonymous

    File this under “WOW. I did NOT see that coming!” She sounds s lot like Alicia Keys. And yeah, she wasn’t great during S3 but good for her!

  • shell29

    I do remember Leah-I didn’t know she had landed a major label deal.  Good for her!  I always like to see the Idol “late bloomers” doing well.

  • hayes

    True, that she’s been off the show for 8 years probably is a good thing. I mean, wouldn’t it be better to start off with a clean slate than be “that 12th place finisher from Idol”? Very few people will remember her from the show and that’s not really a bad thing.

    Unpopular opinion: Her “I Have Nothing” is my favorite version ever done on the show.

  • Christopher Auyeung

    She’s been uploading Youtube videos for a long time - http://www.youtube.com/user/misslabelle1?ob=4&feature=results_main. She’s MUCH better now than she was on the show.

  • Anonymous

    Blast from the past!

  • Tera2

    I remember Leah.  She was mediocre and liked singing Whitney Houston songs or something.  And she and her mother were so determined to get into the spotlight cause the mom was a star before.  I figured idol producers just gave her exposure so she could go career in their country or something.

    Surprised to hear from her after all this years – especially working with major producers.  The song is ok, but I don’t know where they expect to fit her 90′s R&B music vibe in current music scene in USA though.  They can market her more in UK, Europe and Asia with the “white girl soul singer angle” like Lisa Stansfield and Joss Stone.  She does sound good in the recording – although she’s not as good as those 2.

  • Ringo

    Really liking this 80′s groove.  Leah reminds me a bit of one of my favorite artists from that time: Brenda Russell.   Love that slight imperfection in  their voices.

  • Anonymous

    Good for her.  I remember just a year or two ago, she was singing backup for Jordin.

  • GaryOC

    I only remember two things about Leah Labelle. One was that she changed her name from Leah Vladowski, and the other was that she always sang off-key.