Leah LaBelle
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Leah LaBelle on American Idol
Leah LaBelle (born Leah Vladowski on 8 September 1986) is an American singer, one of the finalists on the third season of the reality/talent-search television series American Idol.
LaBelle was born in Toronto to Bulgarian immigrants. Her father, Troshan Vladowski, was a member of the Bulgarian rock band The Silver Bracelets. She currently lives in Seattle, Washington, where she is a senior at Garfield High School.
LaBelle auditioned for the third season of American Idol in New York City; she was a member of the third group of semifinalists, but was not voted through to the final round. LaBelle was instead brought back for the wildcard round and put through as a finalist by contest judge Paula Abdul.
On March 17 2004, LaBelle became the first of the 12 finalists to be voted off the show.
Many including LaBelle herself argue that her Bulgarian heritage proved to be a disadvantage in the competition. LaBelle first mentioned it before she auditioned, as all contestants were asked for something unique about them. She feels producers overused the fact too much, as "every interview and question" she was asked related some how to the topic. She feels this created the appearance that she wasn't "American", but an "immigrant" and "foreigner".
However, LaBelle did have a weak performance that night, some sources even say she didn't pick the song. Additionally, Simon told her to "pack her bags" at the end of her performance.
LaBelle can understand but can't speak Bulgarian; her mother can't speak Bulgarian either, and sang from memory when performing in her native country.
In November 2004, LaBelle would appear on an album in a duet with Lisa Leuschner, who was eliminated in the top 32 round on the same season of American Idol, and another duet between the two will be released on another album in Summer 2005.