Lakisha Jones may have been booted off "American Idol" this week, but don't expect to see the songstress back around her old Fort George G. Meade stomping grounds anytime soon.
Lakisha, a native of Flint, Mich., worked at the Provident Bank in Millersville for about six months before hitting the road to audition for the singing competition last August. Since then it has been a whirlwind of excitement for Lakisha, who honed her singing chops by studying classical music in college and singing in church.
Her co-workers at the bank followed her every move and celebrated her achievement.
"I think we were all a little upset that she got sent home," said Robert Jack, who worked with her at the bank. "I really wasn't surprised. After the first show she showed how much potential she had, and I'm surprised she got sent home last night. I thought she was going to make it further than this. But it's nothing to sneeze at."
Mr. Jack and others from the bank gathered at O'Briens bar in Annapolis and the Bullseye to watch Lakisha's performances each week. He doesn't think they'll continue the parties.
"But she got to fourth on 'American Idol,' " he said. "How many other people can say that?"
He said none of her former co-workers had tried to get in touch with her yet, and they were just letting her have some space.
During Thursday's interview, Lakisha acknowledged her final performance, noting she was hoarse and that disco wasn't her style. She sang "Stayin' Alive" and "Run to Me" with the coaching of Barry Gibb of Bee Gees fame.
"I did the best with every song I was given," Lakisha said. "But I knew on Tuesday (I didn't do well). I was hoarse then and I'm hoarse now. I tried to sing past it and give it my all, but you have to do what you have to do and I knew those weren't the best songs."
With the season about to wrap on May 23, it's still a bit up in the air what Lakisha will do next. She has yet to be approached for any record deals or performance opportunities, but she eventually wants to record an album that is "sassy and soulful with a bit of inspiration."
She said she'll stay in California until the "American Idol" finale before heading to New York for a round of interviews and guest spots and touring the nation with the "Idols" summer tour. Once that's all completed, she's looking to buy a house in the Houston area, where she once lived for more than six years.
"I don't ever want to rent again," she said. "It doesn't even have to have anything in it - I just can't wait to get the keys and open it up and let my baby run through the house."
Lakisha originally tried out for "Idol" back in 2003 but didn't make it past the second round. She went back to try again following the urging of her co-workers at Provident, with the hope of creating a better life for her daughter.
"Would I try out for 'American Idol' again? I probably would," she said. "I came into it for a better life and hopefully I've achieved that. I do believe in myself and I know that whatever happens, God has a plan for me and I will be successful,"
She's relieved to be back with her 4-year-old daughter, Brionne, who had been staying with her mother in Flint. Lakisha said show officials are making an effort to allow her to take Brionne along on the tour.
She wouldn't speculate about who would eventually win the "Idol" completion, but she did have several nice words for former contestant Sanjaya Malakar, who was known for his funky fashion more than his singing.
"He was like a little brother that got on your nerves all the time," she said. "He'd be jumping all over the place with all that energy, but I appreciated the fact that he trusted my judgment and trusted my advice, but was also there when I needed him."
The "American Idols Live" tour begins July 6 in Sunrise, Fla., and will make two stops in the area, at the Verizon Center in Washington on Sept. 9 and in Baltimore at 1st Mariner Arena Sept. 19. Tickets for both shows go on sale Saturday.
"She was guaranteed a position back with the bank, but I don't think she's going to need it," Mr. Jack said with a laugh. "She's going to have a wonderful music career now."
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