Teresa LaBarbera-Whites Tapped as American Idol Mentor (REPORT)

The Idol Pad is reporting that Teresa LaBarbera-Whites has been named in-house mentor for American Idol season 14. She replaces Randy Jackson, who served as contestant advisor in season 13 after vacating the judges panel.

The in-house mentor role was created after Interscope Records signed on to release American Idol music in Season 10. Then label CEO, Jimmy Iovine, held the position in Seasons 10 and 11.

At one point, I followed Teresa’s twitter, because she worked A&R for the now defunct Sony label, Jive Records. When Jive folded, she moved to Columbia, another Sony subsidiary. She now splits her time between running a B&B in Texas and independent A&R work.

She A&R’d Allison Iraheta’s debut, Just Like You after the singer left American Idol season 8 in fourth place. Here’s what she had to say about the young singer in an interview with Songwriter’s Universe.

I love working with new artists, discovering and developing who they are and who they will become as a recording artist. Allison Iraheta (American Idol finalist) has one of the most amazing voices. Being in the studio with a young voice like hers, so full of soul and power reminded us all (me and the producers she was working with) why we got into the music business.

Teresa has a resume that includes work for artists such as Destiny’s Child, Beyonce, Britney Spears and Backstreet Boys.

Right now, we’re at the report stage. Stay tuned for official word from FOX and American Idol.

Read more:

American Idol 14 Top 48 Spoilers
American Idol 14 Spoilers – The Showcase in December!

About mj santilli 34867 Articles
Founder and editor of mjsbigblog.com, home of the awesomest fan community on the net. I love cheesy singing shows of all kinds, whether reality or scripted. I adore American Idol, but also love The Voice, Glee, X Factor and more!