Background:

 “I would describe myself as fun-loving, funny, and a bright person who loves to smile.” Vonzell Solomon

American singer and actress Vonzell Solomon became known as the top 3 finalist on the season four of “American Idol” (2005), along with the eventual winner Carry Underwood and Bo Bice. She released a single “My Struggle” on  iTunes in January 2007. She also appeared in the independent film “Still Green” (2007) as well as in the stage productions  “Wizard of Oz” and “Burn the Floor.”   


Baby V

Childhood and Family:

Vonzell Monique Solomon was born March 18, 1984, in Baxley, Georgia, to parents Alice and Larry Goethie, a martial arts instructor dearly known as “Master G.” Her family relocated to Fort Myers, Florida when she was several months old. She is the youngest of four children consisting of two girls and two boys and uses her mother's maiden name professionally. Her nickname are Baby V and The Vonz.

Vonzell was educated at the Cypress Lake Center for the Arts high school, where she also was a letterman softball player and a varsity basketball player as well as actively participated in school clubs. She also took private vocal lessons and theater classes. Vonzell has a black belt in Sembact martial arts (a combination of karate, jujitsu and tae kwon do).


My Struggle

Career:

In addition to attending vocal classes, Vonzell Solomon honed her singing ability by performing with local bands in Southwest Florida. In 2002, she auditioned for the second season of the ABC/MTV Reality television series “Making the Band,” but was not selected for the group. In the following year, she audition for the season of “American Idol,” but was cut by the producers. In April 2004, she launched a demo CD titled “My Struggle” exclusively to her website. It was later made unavailable while she was competing in “Idol.”

Solomon had worked as a mail carrier for the United States Postal Service for about a year and a half when she decided to try her luck for the fourth season of “American Idol.” She auditioned in Orlando Florida and ended up getting one of 16 golden tickets with Aretha Franklin's “Chain of Fools.” She performed Whitney Houston's “How Will I Know” in the Hollywood round.

Solomon continued to charm the judges with her renditions of Martha and the Vandellas's “(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave” in the Top 24 week, Alicia Keys's “Ain't Got You” in the Top 20 Week and Otis Redding's “Respect” in the Top 16 Week before eventually making it big to the Top 12 finalists.

On her first performance in the Top 12, she sang Dionne Warwick's “Anyone Who Had a Heart” for the 1960s week, and in response to her performance, judge Simon Cowell said she needed to do something unforgettable to make it far in the competition. In the following week, he claimed Solomon's performance of the Emotions' “Best of My Love” her first memorable performance of the competition. Solomon passed the following week with  Whitney Houston's “I Have Nothing,” but was on the bottom 3 after performing Funny Girl's “People” on the Classic Broadway week. In the Top 8 (Songs from Birth Year week), she sang Deniece Williams' “Let's Hear It for the Boy.”

Solomon went on to perform Chaka Khan's “I'm Every Woman” in the 1970s Dance Music week, All-4-One's “I  Turn to You” in the 21st Century week, where she was in the bottom 3,  and Elvis Presley's “Treat Me Nice” and Diana Ross' “When You Tell Me That You Love Me” on the Leiber & Stoller/Current week Billboard chart Week. She was put in the bottom 2 after performing LeAnn Rimes' “How Do I Live” and  Thelma Houston's “Don't Leave Me This Way” during the Country/Gamble & Huff. Along with Bo Bice and the eventual winner Carry Underwood, she competed in the Clive's Choice, Idols' Choice, Judges' Choice week by singing Dionne Warwick's “I'll Never Love This Way Again,” Aretha Franklin's “Chain of Fools” and Donna Summer's “On the Radio.” She was voted out of the show, but later returned for the season finale and performed “With You I'm Born Again” with Billy Preston.

After leaving “Idol,” Soloman founded an independent record label called Melodic Records, where she also serves as the CEO. She was named the spokesperson for the United States Postal Service.

Recorded under the name Baby V, the single “My Struggle” was released to iTunes on January 9, 2007. The same year, Solomon also made her acting debut as Chelsea in the award winning independent drama film “Still Green,” starring Sarah Jones, Ryan Kelley and Douglas Spain

In June 2008, Solomon headlined a live music show in Branson, MO, where 6 top 12 American Idol Finalists performed their own music, cover songs and group numbers. The show took place at the Grand Palace and was produced by Steve Drummond, America's Favorite Finalists. From July 27 to  August 2, 2008, Solomon performed at Idol Camp. She was also seen performing on the Simply Ballroom tour.

Solomon was cast as Glinda/Aunt Em in Todrick Hall's retelling of the “Wizard of Oz” at the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center in Lubbock, Texas. The show also featured Season Two alumnus Rickey Smith as the Tinman, and Season 4 alumni Scott Savol, as the Lion, and Mikalah Gordon, as Dorothy.

In October 2010, Solomon began her stint as the female vocalist in  the touring cast of “Burn the Floor.”


Awards:

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