Alexis Grace

Alexis Grace the artist might surprise you if you’re expecting Alexis Grace, the American Idol alumna.

Yes, she wowed the judges on season eight of the long-running reality pop stardom series with her big, soulful voice. Yes, Simon Cowell himself did call her “the dark horse of the competition.”

But if you’re expecting Alexis Grace the American Idol alumna, you might be expecting a one-note – and Alexis Grace the artist sings and studies them all.

The daughter of a Beale Street musician, Alexis studied the masters of soul and R&B – Aretha Franklin, Ann Peebles, Whitney Houston – in her childhood home. On Sundays, she learned gospel harmonies in her church’s youth choir. And at John Overton High School, a prestigious performing arts magnet school in Memphis, she stretched herself on stage in plays and musicals. Her formal music education continued at the University of Memphis Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music. From jazz to opera, Alexis has allowed her myriad influences to deeply inform her development as an artist – and she’ll share that genre-bending talent with her fans in January of 2015 as she releases her first solo EP.

Since her spin around the reality TV track on Idol, Alexis has used her positive attitude and fierce determination to continue to propel her career as an entertainer. She currently co-hosts the No. 1 rated mid-day Top 40 radio show in Memphis on Q107.5 WHBQ-FM. During Idol season, she shares her insights as an analyst on the Memphis Fox affiliate and often appears with other Idol alums in concerts across the country, while still finding time to gig solo – from jazzy sets in nightclubs to belting out the Star Spangled Banner before a Memphis Grizzlies NBA game.

And Alexis hasn’t forgotten her love of the stage, either – she recently dedicated 10 weeks to the role of Roxie Hart in Theatre Memphis’ production of "Chicago", earning nightly standing ovations, rave reviews and sold-out houses throughout the run. She also performed in Legally Blonde, and appeared in a newly written comedy, "Yellow Lights" at Voices of the South Theatre last year. 

In the midst of it all, she still finds the time to write and record new original music, play guitar, and sing showtunes to her daughter, Ryan Elizabeth.

 Look for Alexis' debut EP, "Kiddo", on all major music download and stream sites.