LaToya London
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LaToya London | |
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San Francisco, California, United States | |
Genres | R&B, soul, jazz |
Occupations | Singer, actress |
Years active | 2004–present |
Labels | Peak Records (2005-2006) |
Member of | Urban Punk |
Website | The Official Homepage of LaToya London |
LaToya Renee London (born December 29, 1978) is an
Early life
London was born in
American Idol
![]() | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (May 2013) |
London auditioned for the third season of American Idol in
In the following nine weeks, London had several high points on American Idol. Cowell called her performance of
London was central to one of the first controversies of the show. On April 21, 2004, the night after the final seven contestants performed
London's second controversy occurred on May 11, 2004, when the final four contestants each performed two disco songs. Simon Cowell, who previously endorsed her as the best singer in the competition, suggested that his only complaint with London was that after ten weeks he still did not know anything at all about her. Cowell also suggested that contestant Jasmine Trias would almost certainly be voted off the next day. However, on May 12, London became the ninth of the 12 finalists to be eliminated, finishing in fourth place, with Barrino also landing in the bottom two. London's farewell song was "Don't Rain on My Parade."
Performances
The songs London sang on the show follow:
Week # | Song Choice | Original Artist | Result | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top 32 | "All by Myself" | Eric Carmen | Advanced | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top 12 | "Ain't Nobody" | Chaka Khan | Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top 11 | "Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)" | Garth Brooks | Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top 10 | "Ooo Baby Baby" | The Miracles | Bottom 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top 9 | "Someone Saved My Life Tonight" | Elton John | Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top 8 | "Somewhere" | West Side Story
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Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top 7 | "All the Time" | Barry Manilow | Bottom 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top 6 | "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" | Gloria Estefan | Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top 5 | "Too Close for Comfort" "Don't Rain on My Parade" |
Natalie Cole Barbra Streisand |
Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Top 4 | "Love You Inside Out" "Don't Leave Me This Way" |
Bee Gees Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes |
Eliminated |
Post-Idol
![]() | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (May 2013) |
Immediately after being eliminated from the series, London was featured in the Norman Lear-helmed Declare Yourself voting campaign by famed photographer David LaChapelle, alongside music stars like Christina Aguilera and André 3000. Her appearance on Idol host Ryan Seacrest's daily television talk show was one of its highest-rated episodes, and Oakland Mayor Jerry Brown officially declared May 4 to be LaToya London Day; one month later, she officially received the key to the city. Her rendition of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes "If You Don't Know Me by Now" on the top-selling compilation disc, American Idol Season 3: Greatest Soul Classics, was praised as one of the album's best. She was also heavily featured on the group track, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."
In the summer of 2004, London performed with the other top 10 finalists in American Idol season three international tour, which crossed the United States and also visited China and
In November 2004, it was announced that London had been signed to jazz recording label Peak Records, an imprint of Concord Records, the final label of jazz legend Ray Charles before his death. Her first single, "Appreciate," which featured a guest rap from Black Thought of the Hip-Hop group The Roots, hit the airwaves in July, and a music video of that song followed. The CD single, "Appreciate/Every Part of Me/All By Myself" reached number eight on the Billboard Singles Sales Chart. The single sold 8,500 units.
2005–2006: Love & Life
Her debut studio album,
London released two follow-up singles, "Every Part of Me" and "State of My Heart" in 2006, the latter of which hit number 40 on the Billboard Adult Contemporary Tracks chart and number five on the radio industry periodical
London was also nominated for an award in the R&B category of the 2006 Bay Area Rap Scene (BARS) Awards; however, violence and disruption ended the show early before the award winners were announced. Latoya was competing against R&B star Goapele, among others.
London announced that despite having an initial three-album deal, she had parted ways from Peak Records and Concord Records. She is currently writing songs for her second album and is shopping for a new recording label.
In February 2006, she landed a lead role in Laterras R. Whitfield's touring dramatic comedy play Issues: We All Have 'Em. She sang a jazz-tinged version of "Hark! Hear the Bells" on the VH1 Soul Train Christmas television special, and sang the same song on a special edition of the 40th Anniversary A Charlie Brown Christmas album.
In late summer 2006, London made her Los Angeles professional stage debut with a starring role in the retro musical, Beehive, at the El Portal Theater in
London was featured as a guest vocalist on Paul Taylor's new album, Ladies' Choice, released in May 2007.
London played Nettie in
2010–present: Urban Punk
London joined with hip-hop artist H2O in 2010 to form the group Urban Punk,[7][8] producing music that combines Europop melodies with hip-hop rhythms. They have released two tracks, "Around the World" and "Twisted".[9]
In June 2013, London joined the cast of the Carolina Opry in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.[10]
London has starred in a number of national tours, including Redemption of a Dogg, and Tyler Perry's Madea on the Run, as well as regional productions, including Silence! The Musical and as Shug Avery in Celebration Theatre's production of The Color Purple.[11] She was the lead in the U.S. regional debut of The Bodyguard, a musical based on the 1992 film.[12]
Personal life
London suffered a setback when she had to pull out of the VH1 Soul Tour with
Politics and endorsements
London posed for a political print advertising campaign by Declare Yourself, encouraging voter registration among youth for the 2008 United States presidential election. In the ads by photographer David LaChapelle, London has a nail through her upper and lower lips, pinning her mouth shut in a symbolic function. The ads drew national attention.
London also performed "Ain't Nobody" in Oakland on Election Day 2008 celebrating Barack Obama's historic victory.[14]
Discography
Albums
Year | Album details | Peak positions | sales threshold )
| |
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US | US R&B | |||
2005 | Love & Life
|
82 | 27 |
|
Singles
- Appreciate/Every Part of Me/All By Myself (August 2005)
- Every Part of Me
- State Of My Heart Number 40 Hot AC Tracks
Guest contributions
![]() | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (February 2012) |
- "If U Buyin'" (with C-Bo) (1999)
- "I Know You Want Me" (with H2O from "The Mixtape Vol. 1") (2004)
- "I Want to Show You" (with H2O from "The Mixtape Vol. 1") (2004)
- "Konfessions" (with H2O from "The Mixtape Vol. 1") (2004)
- With Okolo on "The "Real" Diamond N Tha Rough") (2005)
- "Keeps Me Movin'" (with Golden Sol), from The Golden Sol EP) (August 2005)
- "Keeps Me Movin'" (with Golden Sol from Keeps Me Movin' (Featuring Latoya London) EP) (August 2006)
- "Keeps Me Movin' (DJ Solomon's Baltimore House Mix)" (with Golden Sol from Keeps Me Movin' (Featuring Latoya London) EP) (August 2006)
- "Keeps Me Movin' (Ean's Disco Re-Rub)" (with Golden Sol from Keeps Me Movin' (Featuring Latoya London) EP) (August 2006)
- "Hold Up (Wait a Minute)" (with John Payne from The Journey) (October 2006)
- "Send My Baby Back" (with Donnie Williams and Park Place from [[Just Like Magic (Donnie Williams album}|Just Like Magic]]) (March 2007)
- "Funky Times" (with Donnie Williams and Park Place from [[Just Like Magic (Donnie Williams album}|Just Like Magic]]) (March 2007)
- "Just Like Magic" (with Donnie Williams and Park Place from [[Just Like Magic (Donnie Williams album}|Just Like Magic]]) (March 2007)
- "I Want To Be Loved (By You)" (with Paul Taylor from "Ladies' Choice (Paul Taylor album)") (March 2007)
- "ahh means ahh" (with aj from Worldwide) (March 2007)
Awards and nominations
- 2012: Won the award for Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Shug Avery in the Celebration Theatre production of "The Color Purple: The Musical"[15]
References
- ^ "A Celebration Of The Color Purple". @ This Stage. March 7, 2012. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ^ Skethway, Nathan (May 8, 2019). "A Look at the Regional Premiere of The Bodyguard Musical". Playbill. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ^ Williams, Brennan (April 8, 2016). "Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson And Latoya London Reunite For 'American Idol' Finale". HuffPost. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ^ Glaister, Dan (April 28, 2004). "Elton accuses US pop voters of racism". The Guardian. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
- ^ a b c The Ultimate SoundScan Sales/Download Checklist - Idol Chatter - USATODAY.com Archived 2009-02-08 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ NAACP Theater Awards, "2008 Nominees" Archived 2011-07-07 at archive.today, 2008.
- ^ "Introducing: American Idol Alum LaToya London and H2O present Urban Punk". Nu-soulmag.com. Archived from the original on November 16, 2011. Retrieved August 17, 2011.
- ^ Interview with former ‘Idol’ contestant La Toya London, now of ‘Urban Punk’ Archived 2012-03-23 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Santilli, Mj (March 23, 2011). "LaToya London – New Music From Urban Punk". Mjsbigblog. Retrieved March 3, 2020.
- ^ "'American Idol' finalist to spend summer at Carolina Opry in Myrtle Beach area | Entertainment | MyrtleBeachOnline.com". www.myrtlebeachonline.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2013. Retrieved February 2, 2022.
- ^ [1] [dead link]
- ^ Gans, Andrew (April 26, 2019). "American Idol's LaToya London Stars in The Bodyguard at White Plains Performing Arts Center". Playbill.com. Retrieved May 21, 2019.
- ^ "Dear Future Wifey S2, E204: Single Again? (Latoya London)". www.youtube.com. December 2, 2020. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ "YouTube". www.youtube.com. Archived from the original on April 27, 2016. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
- ^ "Center Theatre Group Tops 2012 Ovation Awards". Lastagetimes.com. November 13, 2012. Archived from the original on December 1, 2014. Retrieved January 27, 2013.