Trenyce

Trenyce
Birth name Lashundra Trenyce Cobbins
Born (1980-03-31) March 31, 1980
Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Origin Oceanside, California, USA
Occupation(s) Actress, singer
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2002–present
Associated acts American Idol

Lashundra Trenyce Cobbins (born March 31, 1980), known professionally as Trenyce, is an American singer. She rose to fame in 2003 after placing fifth in the second season of American Idol.

Early life

Trenyce was born in Memphis, Tennessee,[1] to Jesse and Linda Cobbins. At the age of two, she began singing jingles she heard on the television and radio.[2] Trenyce competed in local talent shows and school pageants, winning the title of "Miss Sophomore" and First Alternate to "Miss Junior" at Central High School in Memphis, Tennessee.

After high school, Trenyce attended the University of Memphis on a full music scholarship and further developed her talent as part of the school's "University Singers" organization and Sound Fuzion, a University band that toured the state of Tennessee performing in different venues and performing a wide array of musical genres. While at the University, Trenyce majored in nursing, completing three years before deciding that nursing was not her calling. Trenyce decided to take a break and to give herself a year to make it in the music business.

In addition to her high school and college performing, Trenyce performed in numerous venues in Memphis, such as Rhythms Nightclub, Precious Cargo, and Isaac Hayes Restaurant. Trenyce has also given back to the community by singing at various events held by charitable organizations such as the NewsChannel Three Kids Count Expo, the NAACP Gala and the Miss Kappa Alpha Psi Pageant. Trenyce competed in the national NAACP Act-So Competition in Atlanta, Georgia in 1996, placing first in a competition that included over 125 contestants from all over the country. She is the cousin of former Norte Dame linebacker Lyron Cobbins and Stellar Award winner Chris Cobbins.

Career

2002–03: American Idol

While on a break from school, Trenyce learned that "American Idol" would be holding auditions in Nashville, Tennessee in October 2002. Trenyce camped out for 3 days and nights, almost losing her voice in the process, but auditioned first for producers and executive producers. She was chosen by celebrity judges, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Simon Cowell to audition in California against the top 250 contestants chosen from the nationwide search. Trenyce made it through that round to the top 32. She did not go through to the top 12 after her performance in her round of eight, but was given a slot in the wildcard show. With her version of "Let's Stay Together"—which was eventually featured on the season's compilation album—she was chosen by Abdul to take one of the four remaining berths in the Top 12. Trenyce eventually placed fifth.

While still on the show, it was revealed Trenyce was once arrested on a felony theft charge,[3] however Nigel Lythgoe considered it to be a minor offence, one which she had been honest about, and therefore not one which would warrant any concern regarding her participation on the show.[4]

During the months of June and August 2003, Trenyce performed on the American Idol II Live Concert Tour with fellow finalists, singing Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" and Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing". The American Idol tour outsold the Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera joint tour, and covered a total of 41 cities in 55 days.

American Idol Season 2 performances and results
Week # Theme Song choice Original artist Order # Result
Top 30 Semifinal/Group 1 "Love Sneaking Up on You" Bonnie Raitt 4 Eliminated
Wild card "Let's Stay Together" Al Green 9 Paula Abdul's choice
Top 12 Motown "Come See About Me" The Supremes 11 Safe
Top 11 Cinema "I Have Nothing" Whitney Houston 3
Top 10 Country rock "I Need You" LeAnn Rimes 2
Top 81 Disco "I'm Every Woman" Chaka Khan 5 Bottom 2
Top 8 Billboard #1 "The Power of Love" Celine Dion 7 Safe
Top 7 Billy Joel "Baby Grand" Billy Joel 6 Bottom 3
Top 6 Dianne Warren "Have You Ever?" Brandy 3
Top 5 1960s
Neil Sedaka		 "Proud Mary
"Love Will Keep Us Together"		 Creedence Clearwater Revival
Captain & Tennille		 2
7		 Eliminated

2004–present: Success with theatre

Following American Idol, Trenyce has appeared on national television on CNN, Live with Regis and Kelly, Extra, ET, Fox and Friends, The Early Show, The Wayne Brady Show, the Pulse, Inside Edition, Good Day Live, the Today Show, TRL. She has been featured in Memphis periodicals such as Grace Magazine, Proud Magazine, Party Source and was named one of Memphis' 30 Most Beautiful People in Elite Magazine's special June 2003 issue. She has been featured in Mid South's newspapers, such as The Commercial Appeal, The Silver Star News, and the TriState Defender. Recently, Trenyce was honored by both the Mayor of Shelby County and the Mayor of the City of Memphis and given a certificate of achievement as well as a key to the city.

Trenyce became involved in theatre when she was offered a role in a play Not a Day Goes By which toured in 2004.[5] She also landed roles in The Vagina Monologues, Soul Kittens Cabaret, Mama’s Sweet Potato Pie and Invisible Life. In the summer of 2006, Trenyce starred as Deena in an Indianapolis production of Dreamgirls, produced by Bill Myers. This unique production was a joint venture that celebrated the cultural diversity of Indianapolis and was presented in two historic landmark venues; the Madame Walker Theatre and the Scottish Rite. This production received critical acclaim as "the best show Indianapolis has ever seen!"

In 2007, Trenyce played the role of Portia in the David E. Talbert stageplay, Love in the Nick of Tyme also starring Morris Chestnut, Ellia English, and R&B crooner, Avant.[6] A DVD was released, and the show has also been aired on BET.

Between July 22 and August 2, 2008 Trenyce and former Idol contestants Julia DeMato, RJ Helton, Frenchie Davis, and Rickey Smith performed at the Razz Room in San Francisco. Vonzell Solomon, Constantine Maroulis, and David Hernandez also appeared in the Razz Room from August 5–16.

Trenyce was cast in the 30th anniversary revival tour of Ain't Misbehavin' starring Ruben Studdard and Frenchie Davis that ran 2008-09,[7] the cast album of which was nominated for a 2010 Grammy Award.[8]

In 2010, Trenyce joined The West End Company's musical Thriller Live, a Michael Jackson tribute show in London's Lyric Theater as well as a tour in Europe.[2] She was cast in the role of Coach Podell in Kick-Ass 2. She said that playing a cheerleading coach took her back to the days of being a pom pom girl in junior high school. "They were looking for a middle aged white woman similar to Sue Sylvester from Glee, so I wasn't expecting to actually book the role" she stated in the Hollywood Reporter.[9]

Trenyce starred as Portia in David E. Talbert's "Love in the Nick of Tyme."

Career in theater

References

  1. ↑ "Biography". TV.com. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  2. 1 2 3 American Idol’s Trenyce Cobbins, A Singer, Actress, and “Diva” in the making!!
  3. ↑ ""American Idol" Finalist's Sticky Fingers". The Smoking Gun. The Smoking Gun. Retrieved 3 December 2010.
  4. ↑ Fallen 'idol'
  5. 1 2 Catching up with American Idol 2’s Trenyce
  6. 1 2 Variety - Love in the Nick of Tyme
  7. ↑ Reality Check: 'American Idol's' Trenyce 'Aint Misbehavin'
  8. 1 2 Trenyce talks about ‘Misbehavin’ and Grammy nod
  9. ↑ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-alum-trenyce-makes-608484
  10. ↑ Indiana Black Expo Presents Trenyce in the Broadway Musical "Dreamgirls" - July 12, 2006
  11. ↑ Too many wrong moves in 'Ballroom with a Twist'

External links

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