'American Idol' stars bring talents to SRU
SLIPPERY ROCK — Chikezie, Trenyce Cobbins, Mikalah Gordon and R.J. Helton will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 12 in Miller Auditorium when Slippery Rock University Performing Arts Series presents "Former 'American Idol' Stars for the Holidays."
All four performers earned success after being part of the popular Fox television show.
Deb Baker, director of special events at SRU, said she attended a national conference where artists are represented and learned the show was available for the university.
"American Idol is such a huge hit and so many millions of people watch it, and we thought it was a good chance our community would be excited about the idols coming here," Baker said.
"People who are 'American Idol' fans say they know all of them, so they know the finalists and we hope they are excited about the four that are coming here."
Chikezie, born Chikezie Eze, in Inglewood, Calif., to parents who emigrated from Nigeria, began singing at age 13, according to an SRU release. He attended high school at the Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies and later went to Bethel College.
He first auditioned for American Idol's Season 6 and made it through to "Hollywood Week," but failed to make the top 24 contestants.
Undeterred, he returned and successfully auditioned the following season when the show made its rounds in San Diego, where he became a member of the top 10 in Season 7.
Cobbins began singing at age 2 and auditioned for American Idol Season 2 along with 75,000 other hopefuls, the SRU release said. The Idol tour taught her that she loved performing just as much as singing and dancing.
She took the fifth spot in Season 2.
Gordon began singing when she was 18 months old, joining in songs from "The Little Mermaid" movie, according to SRU. She joined her Catholic school choir and sang in a variety of venues in her Las Vegas hometown.In high school, she involved herself in the theatrical department.At age 16 and for Season 4 of "American Idol," she became the youngest contestant ever.Eliminated at number 11, Gordon is most remembered for asking Simon Cowell, one of the show's judges, to the prom."I think it's going to be a vibrant and wonderful holiday show," Baker said. "Even if folks don't know them, it will be a lovely holiday concert to kick off the season and will be very family friendly."Tickets are $25 for adults, $22 for those age 62 and older or 17 and younger, and $8 for SRU students. Tickets can be ordered by calling 724-738-2018.Tickets also are available for the two remaining shows in the 2009-10 series: The River North Chicago dance company Feb. 5 and Barrage Animado, a high-octane fiddle-fest, March 20.
<br>
