Melissa McGhee
Melissa Rochelle McGhee (born September 14, 1984 in Tampa, Florida) is an American singer and was the 12th place finalist on the fifth season of American Idol.
Biography
The oldest of four children, she started singing when she was four years old. She is also a dancer. Before American Idol she participated in various beauty pageants. McGhee first auditioned for Idol in 2002 for the second season and was rejected. McGhee's initial audition for American Idol 5 was in Denver, Colorado. She originally preferred to audition in Memphis but it was cancelled as a result of Hurricane Katrina. She chose Denver because she had relatives who lived there, and would not have to spend money on hotel expenses. On the March 14, 2006, show, the theme was Stevie Wonder. She sang "Lately", and was eliminated on March 15, 2006, becoming the first individual eliminated from the top twelve in the show's fifth season. McGhee was eliminated on March 15, 2006. She was in the bottom three with Ace Young and Lisa Tucker. McGhee returned for the season finale, and has made appearances in her local Tampa area while working for a record deal.
McGhee recorded "What About Love" for the American Idol Season Five: Encores CD. Many reviewers felt she was the best track on the album, including the hard-mannered Simon Cowell. [1]
American Idol Performances
Semifinals
- February 22 2006 - "When the Lights Go Down" by Faith Hill
- She received fairly positive reviews. Cowell said she may not be memorable to the viewers, and McGhee pointed out she had not been seen on the show at all until that night.
- March 1 2006 - "Why Haven't I Heard From You" by Reba McEntire
- She received positive reviews from all three judges. Randy called her a "hot one" and Paula said "you are unique in this competition; no one has a voice like yours." Cowell remained mostly positive; stating he loved her voice, but felt she wasn't "connecting" with the audience.
- March 8 2006 - "What About Love" by Heart
- Randy said she had the voice, looks, and even sounded like Heart. Paula said she was a powerhouse. Cowell told her a sharp note was probably her ticket home and that she sounded like she shouted the song. Simon thought that Ayla Brown would make it over her, but he was proven wrong when America voted their favor for McGhee over Brown.
Finals
- March 14 2006 - "Lately" by Stevie Wonder (Eliminated)
- The judges called her out for forgetting her lyrics again after she had done so in rehearsal, but then were complimentary of the overall performance. Simon calling it her best performance yet. Although she received positive reviews she was eliminated after the performance.