Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Her audition: Ms. Monet, 50, Pittsburgh, Calif., “Higher Love” by Steve Winwood: Ms. Monet brought lots of energy and a powerful voice to the stage. She also showed off a nice growl in her voice. She was well into the performance when Gwen Stefani and Reba McEntire turned. Reba complimented her on a polished performance. Gwen vowed to help bring her personality out. Turns out Ms. Monet sang background vocals on Gwen’s Christmas album. Nevertheless, Ms. Monet joined Team Reba.

Here’s more about Ms. Monét:

* She was born Conesha Monét Owens, a Bay Area / California native who now lives in Vegas and bills herself as The Monificent.

* She can back up that claim with an impressive musical resume, both as a background singer and headlining artist.

* Ms. Monét has been a part of two Grammy wins. She sang backgrounds on Celine Dion’s 1998 Song of the Year “My Heart Will Go On.” And she was a featured artist on the winning 2016 classical record “Ask Your Mama.”

* She sang at Joe Biden’s pre-inaugural family party in 2008, at President Barack Obama’s inaugural ball the same year and performed “Let’s Stay Together” alongside Jennifer Hudson at his re-election in 2012.

* According to her web bio, Ms. Monét toured as a background singer with Boz Scaggs, Michael McDonald, Huey Lewis and the News, Queen Latifah, Kenny Loggins and Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.

* She’s featured on the duet “Always” with Johnny Mathis on his 2008 album, “A Night to Remember.”

* As a solo artist, she has enjoyed a seven-week residency in Las Vegas and be named a headline performer at the 2020 World Expo in Dubai.

* She has a quartet of singles available on streaming sites, including “At This Moment,” “Wonderful U,” and “Kickin’ Back in Brooklyn.” She also released a 2016 blues EP called “Keep on Walking” that’s still available on Apple Music.

* “Breathe Love” is her most recent single, having dropped in October 2021. You can check it out below.

* In an interview with Shoutout LA earlier this year, Ms. Monét says: “I’ve always wanted to perform or do something within the arts. It’s what came natural. Growing up in a musical family, it was innate, that I’d end up as the artist that I am now. … My voice is my gift, it’s my ministry, and my goal is to continue spread it around worldwide.”

Ms. Monét on social media:
Instagram
Facebook
YouTube