Over the years, not too many Idol contestants have auditioned in front of the judges with their daughter standing by their side.
But that was the scenario in the St. Louis episode Thursday night, when Rachelle Lamb and daughter Maddy appeared before Steven, Jennifer and Randy.
From the moment Maddy adorably told her mom, “No, you are (the next American Idol),” you knew this wouldn’t be an audition gone wrong and that Rachelle was going to leave with a golden ticket.
But it was deserved after a relaxed rendition of Faith Hill’s “Find Somebody New” that had Steven complimenting her “moxie” and Randy praising the “pure tone” of her voice.
The song selection was apparently appropriate.
Rachelle told Idol she was going through a divorce at the time of the auditions, that she had been a professional singer, but that her ex “took all (those) dreams away from me.”
In her golden ticket interview, Rachelle said the divorce was like a “free ticket’ to audition for Idol, something she “always wanted to do.”
Considering how calm she seemed in the audition room, Rachelle’s much more comfortable performing in front of a crowd now than she was back in third grade.
Idol asked about her first time performing for a crowd. Rachelle recalled that it was supposed to be for an after-school program.
“I was really scared to be on stage with everyone, so I hid in a classroom and was practicing so I wouldn’t sound stupid in front of everybody,” she said. “After I got done practicing, a group of teachers were at the door and started clapping.”
A resident of Mountain View, Missouri, Rachelle was 26 when she auditioned for Idol. The show’s blue bar identified her as working in construction. She’s also a graduate of California State University at San Bernardino.
She told Idol she’d like to use her music to show people they can persevere and move forward, regardless of what life throws at them.
But her audition for Idol was intended to teach a special lesson to Maddy.
Rachelle wanted to show her: “Don’t let anyone hold you back. You want to chase your dream? You chase it. And mommy will always be behind you.”
If you missed it, here’s Rachelle’s audition again. And if anyone knows of other Rachelle Lamb performances I can point people to, let me know.
14 Comments
I am Rachelle’s mother and thank you so much for your article on her. Idol was so good to my granddaughter the entire time we were there. Maddy was very determined she was going in there with her mother and Ryan went in and asked and they said okay. Now she thinks all the other Kindergarteners will want her autograph!
Always great to see someone with talent and a whole lot of perseverance emerge in this way. Having this spotlight, literally and figuratively, is something Rachelle has earned and deserves. To know she comes from recent adversity makes her story more compelling. That she lives now in Mountain View, the town I once called home, makes me proud.
Well Mountain View is home to alot of talented people. I love our little small town. I am very proud to say Mountain View is my home.
Very Upset that Rachelle got eliminated. She was my early favorite. Absolutely amazing in every way. I loved her voice and she is very gorgeous. She seems to have a great family. She has similar traits to that of Martina in my opinion.
Brian I feel the same way. Rachelle loves to have a good time on stage too. She is alot of fun to watch.
Rachelle: I am a retired audio engineer who has worked with some of the most famous people in the music business, both in the recording studio and live performances, including the touring circuit. Although you were eliminated from American Idol, I want to encourage you to continue with your efforts to be a professional singer. I believe I can recognize talent when I see it and I believe you have what it takes to deliver a memorable performance of a good song. I want to leave you with this very important advice, of-which I believe are the most important keys to a successful career in the music business: (1) Choose your songs well. No one will buy your albums just because you sing well, but they will buy them if your song choices are memorable to them, leaving them with an emotional attachment to your songs and to you as well. Just think of why you choose to buy a song or not to buy and that should help you make wise decisions. (2) Building your career slowly will give your career more longevity, whereas if you rise to the top too quickly the pressure to maintain that success may leave you as a one hit wonder with nowhere else to go but down. (3) Surround yourself with the most talented people you can find to help your career along in every area, treat them very well and always make them feel as they are a very important part of where you are going. I watched Michael Buble in concert on TV and saw how he treated his crew. If you get a chance to see him with his crew, that is the best example of how to create a winning team. You can always audition for American Idol next season and there are other shows such as The Voice and The X-Factor. Also, there are services that I have found on the internet that can help you with writing songs, record production, recording, musicians, background singers and every other service that you may need to present your songs to record companies for their consideration. Taylor Swift walked in off the street to Sony Music in Nashville and got herself signed and there is no reason why you can’t do the same! Just have confidence in yourself and don’t give up on your dream…I look forward to seeing your name in lights.
Thank you Tony your input was very helpful. I am trying to get Rachelle to go to Nashville with me and I hope she will in the near future.
I just have to say, she was my favorite contestant and I rooted for her all the way. I was very upset when she got voted off. I had quit watching a few years back when Bo Bice lost but I figured since contestants were coming from St Louis and I live in KS I’d watch. Well I thought she was great and Maddie was adorable.
Thank you so much. We were all upset. She has a great voice.
Thank you all for the compliments!! I want to audition again next year, so be on the look out for me!!!! Thank you for your support!!! Hope you all have a wonderful day!!
Hi Rachelle! You were also a favorite of mine! I was wondering if you were still around the Mountain View area and if you would be interested in helping us with a benefit concert for victims of domestic and sexual violence? Christos House is located in Howell County and we would love to do something big, such as a concert, to raise funding and awareness. My email is [email protected]. I do hope you audition again next year!!
I actually have a very rough video of Rachelle practicing outside the St. Louis tryouts on my phone but when I send it to my email it separates into 2 video and audio. If anyone knows how to correct this let me know. Thank you
Michelle,
I would like to talk to you regarding an event we are hosting in West Plains. Please give me a call at 417-256-2432 or 417-257-1593, M-F between 8-5 p.m.
Thank you,
Judy Hansmann
I just met Rachelle today on Sept 6 2020 and what great fun she is and i love her voice!
You rock!!