How cool is this?! Leah Marlene from Normal, Il auditioned for American Idol, got a YES from all three judges, and is headed to HOLLYWOOD!!!

You may already know the name Leah Marlene. Maybe you’ve seen her play around town, or maybe you even went to school with her. If you don’t already know who she is, let me introduce you.

Leah is 20 years old from Normal, Il. She played hockey growing up, and was the goalie, and ONLY GIRL, for the AA Bloomington Thunder travel hockey team, she also played the first few years of the girls travel team, Lady Blaze.

Hockey wasn’t the only thing that occupied her time, music was the biggest part of her life, heavily influenced by her dad. Her father is an 80’s rocker in the Canadian band “Honeymoon Suite” and she has been playing herself all across the country since she was in 4th grade. Leah went to Belmont University in Nashville for two years, but ironically “dropped out of college” (her words) and was suddenly presented with the opportunity to audition for American Idol shortly after. Fate? Most definitely.

Leah auditioned and blew the judges away, not only with her voice, but they loved her personality and how she isn’t afraid to stay true to herself. Lionel told her, “You wear your strangeness well,” which Leah thinks is hilarious and might even put the quote on a t-shirt one day.

She got a YES from all 3 judges, they gave her a golden ticket, and now we get to follow her journey on American Idol all the way to HOLLYWOOD!

Leah is taking the opportunity with a very clear goal…take over the world! She just dropped a new album today, “Many Colors” which you should definitely buy AND stream to show your support.

Leah is also having a viewing party for her episode of American Idol, this Sunday, March 6th, at the Stable in Bloomington, where she will also play some songs from the new album as well. Doors open at 6pm.

I got the chance to talk to this ray of sunshine and loved every second of our conversation.

Listen to the full interview here, or below.

3-4-22