Latoya London - The Color Purple and More

We caught up with singer and actress Latoya London while at Sweet's Ballroom in Oakland in late 2006 directly after she finished performing on stage. Latoya London is a genuinely sweet woman and tries to do a lot to give back to her community here in the Bay Area. I was really tired after I was jerked out of bed to do this interview but as soon as I met Latoya her energy sparked mine and it was on.

London was born in San Francisco, California and raised in Oakland, California.

For nine weeks, London wowed the nation with her showstopping performances on American Idol. Famed film director Quentin Tarantino called her a "powerhouse" after her performance of "Somewhere" from the musical "West Side Story," Abdul said that she reminded her of "a young Gladys Knight" after she performed the Garth Brooks song "Ain't Goin' Down ('Til The Sun Comes Up)," and Cowell called her performance of Chaka Khan's "Ain't Nobody" as "amazing" and "awesome." Nickolas Ashford of famed soul duo Ashford and Simpson called her performance of "Ooh Baby Baby" by Smokey Robinson as "beautiful" and full of "sex appeal," Cowell announced her as "the best singer in the competition" after she sang "All the Time" by Barry Manilow and gave her "a ten out of ten" for her performance of "Don't Rain on My Parade," which also garnered standing ovations from Abdul and Jackson.

La Toya announced that despite having an initial three-album deal, she had parted ways from Peak Records and Concord Records. She is currently writing songs for her second album and is currently shopping for a new recording label.

It was also announced in 2006 that London would be starring in an extended Chicago run as Nettie in the Oprah Winfrey-produced Broadway musical The Color Puple. Incidentally, American Idol winner and London's friend, Fantasia Barrino, will be starring as Celie in the Broadway run of the show.
The Color Purple debuted at the Cadillac Palace Theatre for an extended run in Chicago, Illinois. The cast also includes Destiny's Child star Michelle Williams and Tony Award nominee Felicia Fields. The show and Latoya have earned rave reviews.

Keep it up home girl...your star is just beginning to shine!

Click here to check for tour dates of the color purple in a city near you.

See my 2006 interview with Latoya below.

Joe