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Home / Articles / In the News / Domestic Violence Survivor is American Idol Finalist

Domestic Violence Survivor is American Idol Finalist

Two months before she auditioned, La'Porsha was in shelter

  • By DomesticShelters.org
  • Apr 07, 2016
Domestic Violence Survivor is American Idol Finalist

“You can come out of the storm and witness the rainbow, if you don’t give up.” Those are the prophetic words of La’Porsha Renae, the single mother and domestic violence survivor who last night served as one of the two finalists in the 15th and final season of AMERICAN IDOL. Just two months before first auditioning for the show in 2015 La'Prosha was seeking refuge at the WINGS shelter in McComb, Mississippi. And now she's on top of the world.

If you want to be inspired by her moving story and singing, we’ve pulled together some of the best videos from La’Porsha’s successful run to the top of AMERICAN IDOL.

Her Story: Like many young people, La’Porsha had big dreams. She dreamed of being an entertainer and finding love. And like many people who experience domestic violence, she was allured by her boyfriend’s charm. “As the relationship went on he became very abusive. Every good quality I had he hated,” including her now famous voice. La’Porsha tells her story in this video.

No More Drama: There were many memorable La’Porsha moments during the season, including her rendition of Mary J. Blige’s No More Drama that brought the judges to tears. “It takes a lot to overcome those things in your life,” said Jennifer Lopez. “We’ve all been through stuff like that and honestly you’re an inspiration. It was so beautiful.”

Homecoming: La’Porsha returns to McComb. She visits the Jubilee Performing Arts Center where her dream of singing first began, performs her first concert and stops by the WINGS shelter where she does what she does best: stirring and moving people. “Seeing these women face-to-face just made me want to go harder. It was a really good feeling.”

Tell It Like It Is: In one episode La’Porsha was asked to sing Lorraine Ellison’s Stay with Me because, as the producers said, the song was a perfect fit vocally. When asked what she didn’t like about the song La’Porsha chuckled and made her point, “She’s begging a man to stay with her. It’s the message. I would never tell a woman to beg.”

Although fellow finalist Trent Harmon ultimately was voted as this year's AMERICAN IDOL, there's little doubt that La'Porsha's childhood dreams are coming true and that she serves as a wonderful example of courage and inspiration.