Idol Chatter & Voice Views

While her fellow contestants from Season 7 of American Idol were busy releasing great music, Syesha Mercado went off in a different direction.

She landed the role of Deena Jones in a national tour of “Dreamgirls” that debuted at the Apollo Theater on November 7, 2009.

She wound up playing the role for two years as the national tour went international and performed as Deena in front of more than 500,000 people, according to her Facebook page.

Now, at age 26, she’s preparing to release what amounts to her first post-Idol single. (OK, she released a Christmas song back in 2011, but that really doesn’t count.)

On Facebook, she has announced plans to release a song called “You Don’t Even Know Me” on Valentine’s Day.

“It’s not your typical Valentine’s Day love song,” Syesha writes. “The long-awaited Syesha music is here.”

Syesha, of course, finished third back in Season 7, right behind David Cook and David Archuelta.

I remember her as one of the most consistent performers on an Idol season laden with talent.

And considering the music we’ve gotten from the Davids, from Brooke White, from Jason Castro, from Carly Smithson, from Michael Johns, Kristy Lee Cook and Amanda Overmyer … well, I’d say they’ve exceeded my expectations.

So welcome to the party, Syesha. I’ll be anxious to hear what you have to offer.

Meanwhile, here’s Syesha covering “Skyfall” in a video she posted to YouTube back in November.