Vonzell Solomon
Encyclopedia
Vonzell Monique Solomon (born March 18, 1984), nicknamed Baby V, is an American
singer and aspiring actress who finished in third place in the fourth season
of the televised singing competition American Idol
. She also appeared in the independent movie Still Green
.
, Solomon's family relocated to Fort Myers, Florida
when she was an infant. Her parents are Alice and Larry Goethie; Solomon uses her mother's maiden name professionally. She has one older sister, Zanobra, and two brothers, Kendall and Gabriel.
Solomon attended high school at the Cypress Lake Center for the Arts. She holds a black belt
in Sembact martial arts; her father is a martial arts instructor affectionately known as "Master G". Prior to auditioning for American Idol, she worked for the United States Postal Service
as a Rural Letter Carrier
and sung with local bands in Southwest Florida. In April 2004, she released a demo CD, My Struggle exclusively to her website. It was made unavailable while she was competing on Idol.
In 2002, Solomon auditioned for the second season of P-Diddy's Making the Band
, but was not selected for the group. Diddy has stated that he does not recall her, and during an appearance on Live with Regis and Kelly
asserted that she was not well suited for a hip-hop group, anyway.
, her second audition for the show, as she had originally auditioned during the second season, but was cut by the producers.
Of her first performance in the Top 12 (Dionne Warwick's "Anyone Who Had a Heart," February 28, 2005), judge Simon Cowell
said Solomon needed to do something memorable to make it far in the competition. The following week, Cowell called her performance of the Emotions' "Best of My Love" her first memorable performance of the competition.
Her performance of Diana Ross
's "When You Tell Me That You Love Me
" had Randy Jackson
say that it was a perfect vocal.
On May 11, 2005, the top 4 remaining Idol contestants each performed two numbers for the themes Nashville Songs and Gamble & Huff Songs. Solomon performed "How Do I Live" and Thelma Houston's "Don't Leave Me This Way." Despite being in the bottom two that week, she made it into the top 3 when Anthony Fedorov
was eliminated.
On May 17, 2005, Clive Davis selected Dionne Warwick's "I'll Never Love This Way Again" for Solomon to perform, the judges selected Donna Summer's "On the Radio" and her own choice was Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools." She was eliminated on the following night's results show—leaving Carrie Underwood
and Bo Bice
to battle it out in the finale. She did, however, return for the season finale and performed "With You I'm Born Again" with Billy Preston
.
, and has served as a paid spokesperson for the United States Postal Service
, as she was a rural carrier before her Idol appearances.
In mid-2006, it was announced that Solomon was planning a recording which went into development hell
, and not much has been heard about it since.http://www.officialbabyv.com/ Her representatives claimed that none of the "media's speculations" were true and that they just hit a few bumps along the road. A single from this mostly completed album was scheduled for release in late 2007. My Struggle, recorded under the name "Baby V," was released to iTunes
on January 9, 2007.
On May 17, 2007 a fire erupted in Solomon's Fort Myers home. Authorities suspect the cause to be an electrical malfunction in the attic. She was not injured, but damage to the home was estimated at more than $200,000, and a family pet, a small dog, died in the fire. After discovering the fire, she called 911 from a neighbor’s home. The 911 call was received at 11:25 p.m., and firefighters from the South Trail Fire Department had the fire under control at 11:45 p.m.http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070518/NEWS0110/70518037/1075
In June 2008 Vonzell starred as one of the headliners for a live music show in Branson, MO, named "America's Favorite Finalists". The show featured 6 top 12 American Idol Finalists performing their own music, cover songs and group numbers. The show ran at the Grand Palace and was produced by Steve Drummond, America's Favorite Finanlists.
Solomon was also seen performing on the Simply Ballroom tour, and appeared at Idol Camp from July 27 -
August 2, 2008. Idol Camp is located on Pali Mountain in California
's San Bernardino Mountains
.
Solomon recently finished a brief stint at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center
in Lubbock, Texas
, as Glinda/Aunt Em, in Todrick Hall's retelling of the Wizard of Oz. Oz, the Musical sold out both nights. She starred alongside Season Two
alumnus Rickey Smith as the Tinman, and Season 4
alumni Scott Savol
, as the Lion, and Mikalah Gordon
, as Dorothy.http://www.myfoxlubbock.com/myfox/pages/Entertainment/Detail?contentId=7320465&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=7.1.1
She is currently appearing as the female vocalist in the touring cast of Burn the Floor, which began performances October 12, 2010.
2005 with a rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithful" alongside Alicia Keys
, Nick Lachey
and other well-known recording artists, and recorded a song for a 2006 Christmas
album, Breaking For The Holidays called "It's Gonna Be A Cold Cold Christmas." Chaka Khan
and fellow American Idol alumnus, Jon Peter Lewis
also appear on this collection.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer and aspiring actress who finished in third place in the fourth season
American Idol (Season 4)
The fourth season of American Idol premiered on January 18, 2005 and continued until May 25, 2005. It was hosted by Ryan Seacrest. Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell also returned to judge. It was won by Carrie Underwood, who has gone on to become a five-time Grammy-winning country megastar...
of the televised singing competition American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
. She also appeared in the independent movie Still Green
Still Green
Still Green is an American drama film starring Sarah Jones, Ryan Kelley, Douglas Spain, Noah Segan, Paul Costa, Brandon Meyer, Ashleigh Snyder, Michael Strynkowski, Nicole Komendat and Gricel Castineira. The film also features American Idol finalist Vonzell Solomon in her acting debut. The movie...
.
Biography
Born in Baxley, GeorgiaBaxley, Georgia
As of the census of 2000, there were 4,150 people, 1,567 households, and 1,048 families residing in the city. The population density was 580.7 people per square mile . There were 1,866 housing units at an average density of 261.1 per square mile...
, Solomon's family relocated to Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers, Florida
Fort Myers is the county seat and commercial center of Lee County, Florida, United States. Its population was 62,298 in the 2010 census, a 29.23 percent increase over the 2000 figure....
when she was an infant. Her parents are Alice and Larry Goethie; Solomon uses her mother's maiden name professionally. She has one older sister, Zanobra, and two brothers, Kendall and Gabriel.
Solomon attended high school at the Cypress Lake Center for the Arts. She holds a black belt
Black belt (martial arts)
In martial arts, the black belt is a way to describe a graduate of a field where a practitioner's level is often marked by the color of the belt. The black belt is commonly the highest belt color used and denotes a degree of competence. It is often associated with a teaching grade though...
in Sembact martial arts; her father is a martial arts instructor affectionately known as "Master G". Prior to auditioning for American Idol, she worked for the United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
as a Rural Letter Carrier
Rural Letter Carrier
Rural letter carriers are United States Postal Service employees who deliver mail in what are traditionally considered rural areas of the United States...
and sung with local bands in Southwest Florida. In April 2004, she released a demo CD, My Struggle exclusively to her website. It was made unavailable while she was competing on Idol.
In 2002, Solomon auditioned for the second season of P-Diddy's Making the Band
Making the Band
Making the Band is an ABC/MTV reality television series that exists in separate iterations, each iteration focusing on a specific music act. It spawned musical acts O-Town, Da Band, Danity Kane, Day26, and Donnie Klang...
, but was not selected for the group. Diddy has stated that he does not recall her, and during an appearance on Live with Regis and Kelly
Live with Regis and Kelly
Live! with Kelly is a syndicated American television morning talk show, hosted by Kelly Ripa. The show has aired since 1983 in New York City and 1988 nationwide. Tony Pigg has been the show's announcer since its inception...
asserted that she was not well suited for a hip-hop group, anyway.
American Idol
Solomon auditioned for the fourth season of Idol in Orlando, FloridaOrlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, her second audition for the show, as she had originally auditioned during the second season, but was cut by the producers.
Of her first performance in the Top 12 (Dionne Warwick's "Anyone Who Had a Heart," February 28, 2005), judge Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
said Solomon needed to do something memorable to make it far in the competition. The following week, Cowell called her performance of the Emotions' "Best of My Love" her first memorable performance of the competition.
Her performance of Diana Ross
Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
's "When You Tell Me That You Love Me
When You Tell Me That You Love Me
"When You Tell Me That You Love Me" is a 1991 song released as a single by American soul singer Diana Ross. The song was subsequently covered by various artists....
" had Randy Jackson
Randy Jackson
Randall Darius "Randy" Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, A&R executive, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is best known as a judge on American Idol and executive producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew...
say that it was a perfect vocal.
On May 11, 2005, the top 4 remaining Idol contestants each performed two numbers for the themes Nashville Songs and Gamble & Huff Songs. Solomon performed "How Do I Live" and Thelma Houston's "Don't Leave Me This Way." Despite being in the bottom two that week, she made it into the top 3 when Anthony Fedorov
Anthony Fedorov
Anatoliy Vladimirovich "Anthony" Fedorov is an American singer who was the fourth place finalist on the fourth season of the American Idol.- Biography :...
was eliminated.
On May 17, 2005, Clive Davis selected Dionne Warwick's "I'll Never Love This Way Again" for Solomon to perform, the judges selected Donna Summer's "On the Radio" and her own choice was Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools." She was eliminated on the following night's results show—leaving Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood
Carrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005...
and Bo Bice
Bo Bice
Harold Elwin "Bo" Bice, Jr. is an American singer and musician who placed second to Carrie Underwood in the fourth season of American Idol. He has recorded three studio albums, including one on RCA Records...
to battle it out in the finale. She did, however, return for the season finale and performed "With You I'm Born Again" with Billy Preston
Billy Preston
William Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from...
.
American Idol performances
| Week # - Theme | Song Choice | Original Artist | Result | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 24 | "(Love is Like a) Heat Wave (Love is Like a) Heat Wave " Heat Wave" is a 1963 hit single penned by the Holland–Dozier–Holland songwriting team and made popular by Motown girl group Martha and the Vandellas. It was originally released in July 1963, on the Motown subsidiary label Gordy, peaking at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Billboard Hot... " |
Martha and the Vandellas Martha and the Vandellas Martha and the Vandellas were among the most successful groups of the Motown roster during the period 1963–1967... |
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| Top 20 | "If I Ain't Got You If I Ain't Got You "If I Ain't Got You" is a song recorded, written, and produced by American recording artist Alicia Keys for her second studio album, The Diary of Alicia Keys. Released in February 2004 as the album's second single, the song peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and became Keys' second... " |
Alicia Keys Alicia Keys Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano... |
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| Top 16 | "Respect Respect (song) "Respect" is a song written and originally released by Stax recording artist Otis Redding in 1965. "Respect" became a 1967 hit and signature song for R&B singer Aretha Franklin. The music in the two versions is significantly different, and through a few minor changes in the lyrics, the stories told... " |
Otis Redding Otis Redding Otis Ray Redding, Jr. was an American soul singer-songwriter, record producer, arranger and talent scout. He is considered one of the major figures in soul and R&B... |
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| Top 12 - Songs of the 60's | "Anyone Who Had a Heart" | Dionne Warwick Dionne Warwick Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health.... |
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| Top 11 - Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... ' #1's |
"Best of My Love Best of My Love (The Emotions song) "Best of My Love" is a disco song by the band The Emotions released as a single from their album Rejoice . The song was composed by Maurice White and Al McKay of Earth, Wind & Fire. Earth, Wind & Fire would later team up with the Emotions for the 1979 hit "Boogie Wonderland"... " |
The Emotions The Emotions The Emotions are an American all female soul and R&B singing group. The group was formed in its current hometown of Chicago, Illinois originally consisting of the three Hutchinson sisters, all the children of Joseph and Lillian Hutchinson.... |
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| Top 10 - Songs of the 90's | "I Have Nothing I Have Nothing "I Have Nothing" is a song by American singer Whitney Houston and released as the third single from The Bodyguard: Original Soundtrack Album on February 20, 1993 by Arista Records. The song was written by David Foster and Linda Thompson, and produced by Foster... " |
Whitney Houston Whitney Houston Whitney Elizabeth Houston is an American singer, actress, producer and a former model. Houston is the most awarded female act of all time, according to Guinness World Records, and her list of awards include 1 Emmy Award, 6 Grammy Awards, 30 Billboard Music Awards, 22 American Music Awards, among... |
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| Top 9 - Broadway Broadway theatre Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City... Musicals |
"People" | Barbra Streisand Barbra Streisand Barbra Joan Streisand is an American singer, actress, film producer and director. She has won two Academy Awards, eight Grammy Awards, four Emmy Awards, a Special Tony Award, an American Film Institute award, a Peabody Award, and is one of the few entertainers who have won an Oscar, Emmy, Grammy,... |
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| Top 8 - Contestants' Birth Year | "Let's Hear It for the Boy" | Deniece Williams Deniece Williams June Deniece Chandler known by her stage name Deniece Williams is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and record producer who achieved success in the 1970s and 1980s... |
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| Top 7 - 70's Dance Music | "I'm Every Woman I'm Every Woman "I'm Every Woman" is a hit song recorded by Chaka Khan in 1978. It was Chaka Khan's first hit outside of her recordings with funk band Rufus; the song was included on her platinum debut solo album Chaka. Produced by Arif Mardin and written by successful songwriting team Nickolas Ashford and Valerie... " |
Chaka Khan Chaka Khan Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career... |
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| Top 6 - Songs of the 21st Century | "I Turn to You" | All-4-One All-4-One All-4-One is a male R&B/pop group best known for their cover hit single "I Swear" from their self-titled 1994 debut album. The group comprises Jamie Jones, Delious Kennedy, Alfred Nevarez, and Tony Borowiak, all from the Antelope Valley and Mojave, California areas, but are based in the Los Angeles... |
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| Top 5 - Leiber and Stoller Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller Jerome "Jerry" Leiber and Mike Stoller were American songwriting and record producing partners. Stoller was the composer and Leiber the lyricist. Their most famous songs include "Hound Dog", "Jailhouse Rock", "Kansas City", "Stand By Me" Jerome "Jerry" Leiber (April 25, 1933 – August 22, 2011)... Songs and Billboard Top 40 |
"Treat Me Nice" "When You Tell Me That You Love Me When You Tell Me That You Love Me "When You Tell Me That You Love Me" is a 1991 song released as a single by American soul singer Diana Ross. The song was subsequently covered by various artists.... " |
Elvis Presley Elvis Presley Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".... Diana Ross Diana Ross Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway... |
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| Top 4 - Nashville Nashville, Tennessee Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home... Songs & Gamble and Huff Gamble and Huff Kenneth Gamble and Leon A. Huff are an American songwriting and record production team who have written and produced over 170 gold and platinum records. They were pioneers of Philadelphia soul and the in-house creative team for the Philadelphia International record label... Songs |
"How Do I Live How Do I Live "How Do I Live" is the title of a song written by Diane Warren. It was originally recorded by LeAnn Rimes in 1997 and shortly afterward by Trisha Yearwood... " "Don't Leave Me This Way Don't Leave Me This Way "Don't Leave Me This Way" is an R&B/soul/disco song written by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, and Cary Gilbert. First charting as a hit for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, an act on Gamble & Huff's Philadelphia International label in 1975, "Don't Leave Me This Way" was later a hit single for both... " |
LeAnn Rimes LeAnn Rimes LeAnn Rimes is an American country/pop singer. She is known for her rich vocals and her rise to fame as an eight-year-old champion on the original Ed McMahon version of Star Search, followed by the release of the Patsy Cline-intended single "Blue" when Rimes was only age 13, resulting in her... Thelma Houston Thelma Houston Thelma Houston is an American singer-songwriter and actress. She scored a number-one hit in 1976 with her cover version of the song "Don't Leave Me This Way", which won the 1978 Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.-Early life & career:Houston is the daughter of a cotton picking mother... |
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| Top 3 - Clive Davis Clive Davis Clive Davis is an American record producer and music industry executive. He has won five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a non-performer. From 1967 to 1973 he was the President of Columbia Records. He was the founder and president of Arista Records from 1975... ', Judges & Contestants' choice |
"I'll Never Love This Way Again I'll Never Love This Way Again "I'll Never Love This Way Again" is a 1979 hit recorded by American soul singer Dionne Warwick. The song was composed by Richard Kerr and Will Jennings and produced by Arista labelmate Barry Manilow.... " "Chain of Fools Chain of Fools (song) "Chain of Fools" is a song written by Don Covay. Aretha Franklin first released the song as a single in 1967 and subsequently it appeared on many of her albums. It reached number one on the U.S... " "On the Radio On the Radio (Donna Summer song) "On the Radio" is a single by Donna Summer released in 1979 on the Casablanca record label. It was written for the soundtrack to the film Foxes and included on Summer's first international compilation album On the Radio: Greatest Hits Volumes 1 & 2. It was released as a single and became, in... " |
Dionne Warwick Dionne Warwick Dionne Warwick is an American singer, actress and TV show host, who became a United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and a United States Ambassador of Health.... Aretha Franklin Aretha Franklin Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All... Donna Summer Donna Summer LaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach... |
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| Season Finale | "With You I'm Born Again" | Billy Preston Billy Preston William Everett "Billy" Preston was a musician who gained notoriety and fame, first as a session musician for the likes of Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and The Beatles, and later finding fame as a solo artist with hits such as "Space Race", "Will It Go Round in Circles" and "Nothing from... (feat. Syreeta) |
Post-American Idol
Solomon is the CEO of her independent record label, Melodic Records. Before starting the company, she was the highest-finishing American Idol contestant not to receive a recording contract afterward. She also makes a cameo in the 2007 independent film Still GreenStill Green
Still Green is an American drama film starring Sarah Jones, Ryan Kelley, Douglas Spain, Noah Segan, Paul Costa, Brandon Meyer, Ashleigh Snyder, Michael Strynkowski, Nicole Komendat and Gricel Castineira. The film also features American Idol finalist Vonzell Solomon in her acting debut. The movie...
, and has served as a paid spokesperson for the United States Postal Service
United States Postal Service
The United States Postal Service is an independent agency of the United States government responsible for providing postal service in the United States...
, as she was a rural carrier before her Idol appearances.
In mid-2006, it was announced that Solomon was planning a recording which went into development hell
Development hell
In the jargon of the media-industry, "development hell" is a period during which a film or other project is trapped in development...
, and not much has been heard about it since.http://www.officialbabyv.com/ Her representatives claimed that none of the "media's speculations" were true and that they just hit a few bumps along the road. A single from this mostly completed album was scheduled for release in late 2007. My Struggle, recorded under the name "Baby V," was released to iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
on January 9, 2007.
On May 17, 2007 a fire erupted in Solomon's Fort Myers home. Authorities suspect the cause to be an electrical malfunction in the attic. She was not injured, but damage to the home was estimated at more than $200,000, and a family pet, a small dog, died in the fire. After discovering the fire, she called 911 from a neighbor’s home. The 911 call was received at 11:25 p.m., and firefighters from the South Trail Fire Department had the fire under control at 11:45 p.m.http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070518/NEWS0110/70518037/1075
In June 2008 Vonzell starred as one of the headliners for a live music show in Branson, MO, named "America's Favorite Finalists". The show featured 6 top 12 American Idol Finalists performing their own music, cover songs and group numbers. The show ran at the Grand Palace and was produced by Steve Drummond, America's Favorite Finanlists.
Solomon was also seen performing on the Simply Ballroom tour, and appeared at Idol Camp from July 27 -
August 2, 2008. Idol Camp is located on Pali Mountain in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
's San Bernardino Mountains
San Bernardino Mountains
The San Bernardino Mountains are a short transverse mountain range north and east of San Bernardino in Southern California in the United States. The mountains run for approximately 60 miles east-west on the southern edge of the Mojave Desert in southwestern San Bernardino County, north of the...
.
Solomon recently finished a brief stint at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center
Lubbock Memorial Civic Center
The Lubbock Memorial Civic Center, a convention center located in Lubbock, Texas, was built in 1977 and dedicated to the memory of local residents who died in a 1970 tornado that struck the site of the center...
in Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock, Texas
Lubbock is a city in and the county seat of Lubbock County, Texas, United States. The city is located in the northwestern part of the state, a region known historically as the Llano Estacado, and the home of Texas Tech University and Lubbock Christian University...
, as Glinda/Aunt Em, in Todrick Hall's retelling of the Wizard of Oz. Oz, the Musical sold out both nights. She starred alongside Season Two
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
alumnus Rickey Smith as the Tinman, and Season 4
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
alumni Scott Savol
Scott Savol
Scott Thomas Savol is an American singer and was the 5th place finalist on the fourth season of American Idol.-Personal life:...
, as the Lion, and Mikalah Gordon
Mikalah Gordon
Mikalah Analise Gordon is an American singer and eleventh-place finalist on the fourth season of American Idol. She was the second finalist eliminated on March 25, 2005.-Early life:...
, as Dorothy.http://www.myfoxlubbock.com/myfox/pages/Entertainment/Detail?contentId=7320465&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=7.1.1
She is currently appearing as the female vocalist in the touring cast of Burn the Floor, which began performances October 12, 2010.
Airport situation
Security officials detained Solomon June 10, 2008 at Southwest Florida International Airport when an unloaded gun, which she is licensed to carry, was found in her luggage at a security check-point, Solomon was not arrested and has since completed a pre-trial diversion program . The charge was not pressed.Discography
Solomon's rendition of "Best of My Love" appears on the American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers compilation. She also appears on the Dear Santa holiday compilation the United States Postal Service produced for ChristmasChristmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
2005 with a rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithful" alongside Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
, Nick Lachey
Nick Lachey
Nicholas Scott "Nick" Lachey is an American singer, songwriter, actor, producer and television personality. Lachey rose to fame as a member of the boy band 98 Degrees. He later starred in the reality television series Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica with his then-wife, Jessica Simpson. He has released...
and other well-known recording artists, and recorded a song for a 2006 Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
album, Breaking For The Holidays called "It's Gonna Be A Cold Cold Christmas." Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan , frequently known as the Queen of Funk, is a 10-time Grammy Award winning American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the 1970s as the frontwoman and focal point of the funk band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career...
and fellow American Idol alumnus, Jon Peter Lewis
Jon Peter Lewis
Jon Peter Lewis is an American singer and songwriter, and was one of the finalists on the third season of the reality/talent-search television series American Idol...
also appear on this collection.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Still Green Still Green Still Green is an American drama film starring Sarah Jones, Ryan Kelley, Douglas Spain, Noah Segan, Paul Costa, Brandon Meyer, Ashleigh Snyder, Michael Strynkowski, Nicole Komendat and Gricel Castineira. The film also features American Idol finalist Vonzell Solomon in her acting debut. The movie... |
Chelsea | Supporting Character |
| 2006 | The Tyra Banks Tyra Banks Tyra Lynne Banks is an American model, media personality, actress, occasional singer, author and businesswoman. She first became famous as a model, but television appearances were her commercial breakthrough... Show |
Herself | Guest Appearance |
| 2005 | Live with Regis | Herself | Aired June 9, 2005 |
| 2005 | VH1 VH1 VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly... 's Big in '05 |
Herself | Featured Artist |