State of My Heart

Background:

“La Toya stood out to me the very first time I saw her on Idol. Her talent, her style, and her command of the stage set her apart. It was apparent that she had all the makings of a superstar. When she was voted off, I was hopeful that we'd have a shot at bringing her into our family. I am thrilled that it has become a reality.” Peak Records president Andi Howard on La Toya London

African-American Soul and R&B singer/songwriter and stage actress La Toya London rose to fame as a result of her participation in the third season of the reality/talent-search television show “American Idol,” where she finished the forth place. Her vocal prowess put her under the radar of the president of Peak Records, who soon signed her under the jazz label. In September 2005, London released her debut album, “Love & Life” and it spawned the Billboard hit single “Appreciate/Every Part of Me/All By Myself” and the Adult Contemporary hit “State of My Heart.” The San Francisco also has parleyed her Idol success into a fruitful stage career. Making her debut in “Issues: We All Got 'Em” (2006), she has since received kudos for performances in the Los Angeles production of “Beehive” (2006) and the Oprah Winfrey-produced touring company of the Broadway musical “The Color Purple” (2007-2008). As for her personal life, London, who currently resides in Southern California, has been separated from her husband, with whom she once had stepchildren. On her free time, she likes hanging out with friends. She explained, “ enjoy going out with friends. We might go to a movie, shopping, or bowling.”

Houston's Buff

Childhood and Family:

La Toya Renee London was born on December 29, 1978, in San Francisco, California. She grew up in Oakland, California and attended Skyline High School, in which she studied dance in addition to performing with the school's gospel choir. Upon graduating in 1996, she moved to Richmond, California to live with his father, who died four years later in October 2000. After his father's death, she relocated to Los Angeles to get formal training at Musician's Institute.

La Toya is a fan of Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, Mariah Carey and Faith Evans.

The Color Purple

Career:

Discovering an interest in singing at age 4 through her frequent church attendance, San Francisco-born, Oakland-raised La Toya London made her first public performance three years later singing “The Greatest Love Of All” at her mother's wedding. From then, she tried out talent shows and performed in events held by family and friends and with church choirs. From 1993 to 1996, London joined the Oakland Youth Chorus, during which she sang several kinds of music like Latin, African, classical and a cappella. She tried her hand in songwriting when she was 13 years old. By this time, she had begun singing professional song demos for enterprising producers at Bay Area studio.

London, who worked as a bartender and waitress to support her life, had just moved to Los Angeles when auditions for the third season of “America Idol” were held. At the time, she was the lead singer of All-Star ukebox, a band that usually performed at wedding ceremonies. Thanks to her fine rendition of “If I Could” by Regina Belle, London effortlessly passed the first round and went on to gained praise in each of her next performances. She even received a standing ovation from judges Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson after singing Eric Carmen's “All By Myself,” a stunning performance that voted her one of the show's final 12 contestants. Named “The Three Divas,” along with Jennifer Hudson and eventual champion Fantasia Barrino, London shocked many when in May 2004 she was voted out of the show. She ended up being the forth finalist. Recalling her experience in the competition, she stated, “It was a lot of fun--including sharing the stage with Elton John, Donna Summer, and Barry Manilow-but a lot of hard work. We were pretty much in a bubble, being in this competition week after week. We were so busy that we barely talked to our families. It was like boot camp!”

After “American Idol,” London joined the other Idol contestants for the international tour in the Summer of 2004. Her voice could also be heard in “American Idol Season 3: Greatest Soul Classic,” in which she sang Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes' “If You Don't Know Me By Now.” The compilation disc was a best-seller and London's rendition was considered as one of the album's best. In addition, she was invited to appear in TV shows like “Late Show with David Letterman” and “On-Air with Ryan Seacrest,” Idol's host daily television talk show, as well as performed in a number of events and festivities, including the Super Bowl NFL Commissioner pre-game party in 2005 and 100 Black Men Of America.

Signed a record contract with the jazz label Peak Records, an imprint of Concord Records in 2004, London released a CD single called “Appreciate/Every Part of Me/All By Myself” in August 2005. It hit No. 8 on the Billboard Singles Sales Chart and sold 8,500 copies. Her full-length album, “Love & Life,” followed a month later and went on to earn good reviews from critics. Consisting of 14 tracks, 5 of which she wrote, the album peaked at No. 27 on the R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, but failed to reach the Top 50 hit on the Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. Her song “State of My Heart,” co-written by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager, and Linda Thompson, was a success in Adult Contemporary radio. Other songs include “Every Part of Me,” “More,” which she co-penned with Rex Rideout, “Learn To Breathe,” “Meet Me Halfway,” “Practice Makes Perfect,” “How I Love The Rain,” “I Can't Hide (What's In My Heart),” “Scandalous,” “Anything” and “Waiting For You.”

London announced in 2006 that her partnership with Peak Records and Concord Records had ended, despite their initial three-album deal. While finding a new home, she is collecting materials for her next albums. It was also in 2006 that London began her career as a stage performer. Along with Dave Hollister, Angie Stone and Kim Fields, the multi-faceted toured in a dramatic comedy production called “Issues: We All Got 'Em,” by Laterras R. Whitfield.

Later that same year, London hit the Los Angeles stage with the revival of “Beehive” at the El Portal Theater in North Hollywood. The show won acclaimed and so did London. She also shared a Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle nomination in the category of Best Ensemble Performance. London continued to gain rave with her portrayal of Nettie in the Broadway musical “The Color Purple,” produced by Oprah Winfrey. Also starring ex-Destiny Child member Michelle Williams, Jeannette Bayardelle and Tony nominee Felicia Fields, the show debuted on April 2007 to positive reviews and will continue its run until the mid-2008.

“American Idol finalist, Latoya London, gives a heart-tugging performance as “Nettie,” Celie's sister who is forced to leave her. Ms. London's voice is a pristine, crystal clear soprano voice that brings magical beauty to her songs. Her chemistry with her co-star Bayardelle is both honest and touching, which at the end has the entire audience wiping away tears of joy.” John Garcia of Pegagus News on London's performance in “The Color Purple”

Awards:
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