La'Porsha Renae
Birth nameLa'Porsha Renae Mays
Also known asA.S.E.
Born (1993-07-28) July 28, 1993
McComb, Mississippi, U.S.
Genres
Occupation(s)Singer
Instrument(s)Vocals
Years active2016–present
Labels

La'Porsha Renae Mays, known professionally as La'Porsha Renae, (born July 28, 1993) is an American singer-songwriter from McComb, Mississippi. In 2015 she auditioned for the fifteenth season of American Idol, which at that time was the final season. On April 7, 2016, she finished as runner-up on the show, behind winner Trent Harmon.[1] In March 2017, Renae released her debut album Already All Ready.

Biography

Early life

La'Porsha Renae Mays was born on July 28, 1993 in McComb, Mississippi. At age 16, Renae auditioned for the tenth season of American Idol. After graduating from college at age 22, Renae was a victim of domestic abuse. After a year, she separated from her husband and moved back to McComb with her one-month-old daughter Nayalee Keya.

American Idol

Accompanied by her daughter, she returned to audition for the fifteenth season of American Idol in Little Rock, Arkansas and earned her golden ticket by performing in front of the judges with Radiohead's "Creep". Renae was announced as the runner-up on April 7, 2016.

Performances

Week Theme Song(s) Original artist(s) Result
Auditions Contestant's choice "Creep" Radiohead Advanced
Hollywood Week, Part 1 First Solo "Roar" Katy Perry Advanced
Hollywood Week, Part 2 Group Round "Stayin' Alive" Bee Gees
Hollywood Week, Part 3 Second Solo Not aired
Final Judgment Final Solo "The House of the Rising Sun" The Animals Advanced
Top 24 Contestant's choice "Proud Mary" Creedence Clearwater Revival Advanced
Top 10 Contestant's choice "Diamonds" Rihanna Safe
Top 8 Idol Grammy Hits "Halo" Beyoncé Safe
Top 6 American Idol All Time Song Book "See You Again"
(duet with Trent Harmon)
Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth Safe
"Come Together" The Beatles
Top 5 America's Twitter Song Choice "Ready for Love" India.Arie Safe
"No More Drama" Mary J. Blige
Top 4 Classic Rock "Wanted Dead or Alive" Bon Jovi Bottom 2
Sia "Elastic Heart" Sia
Top 3 Hometown Dedication "Glory" Common and John Legend Safe
Scott Borchetta's Choice "Stay With Me" Lorraine Ellison
Judges' Choice "Hello" Adele
Top 2 Winner's single "Battles" La'Porsha Renae Runner-up
Simon Fuller's Choice "A House Is Not a Home" Dionne Warwick
Favorite Performance "Diamonds" Rihanna
Finale Finale show "It Takes Two"
(duet with Trent Harmon)
Marvin Gaye and Kim Weston

Post Idol

Career beginnings

Hours after the end of the American Idol, Renae announced that she had been signed to Big Machine and Motown Records.[2] American Idol mentor and Big Machine Label Group CEO, Scott Borchetta told Billboard the reason for the signing is "Because of the overwhelming fan demand and success of the farewell season of American Idol,." Ethiopia Habtemariam, president of MoTown Records will oversee Renae's album. In a post-Idol interview about her plans Renae indicated she would be leaving Mississippi, and she came under fire when she was asked about the Religious Liberty Accommodations Act, an anti-LGBT law in her home state, "I am one of the people who don't really agree with that lifestyle. I wasn't brought up that way."[3][4] Renae's single "Battles" debuted at number 22 on the US R&B singles chart with a first week sales total of 7,000.Renae's first live performance post Idol was on Live with Kelly and Michael promoting "Battles" which reached its peak at number 22 on US R&B Digital Charts.

In August 2016, a remix for "Battles" was released, called the Gold Medal Mix. It became the official song for the United States Women's Gymnastic Team for the 2016 Summer Olympics.[5] In November, Renae released the lead single to her upcoming debut album, entitled "Good Woman."

Career

2017: Already All Ready

Her debut studio album, Already All Ready was released on March 31, 2017.[6] "Good Woman" is the debut single from the album.

2019–present: The Odessy of Love

In 2019, Renae released a single, "Solo", which failed to chart or garner any media attention, prompting her to go on an extended hiatus. After a hacker briefly took over her Twitter, she changed her social media handles to "ASEEternal", and returned with a new stage name, "A.S.E." In May 2020, she revealed plans to self-publish a seven-volume memoir series titled "Battles", the first book Meet Me on the Battlefield was published in June 2020.[7] In May 2022, she released a four-part album series: The Odessy [sic] of Love, independently through Man of Yah productions, with an accompanying music video for the lead single, "Black Swan" on YouTube.[8] The albums failed to gain any respectable media attention or appear on any chart. The albums were then suddenly removed from streaming platforms for unknown reasons.

Discography

Studio albums

Title Album details Peak chart positions
US US Heat R&B
Already All Ready 113115
The Odessy of Love, #I: Battle Bayou
  • Released: May 22, 2022
  • Label: Man of Yah Productions
  • Format: Streaming
The Odessy of Love, #II: Dead Read Sea
  • Released: May 22, 2022
  • Label: Man of Yah Productions
  • Format: Streaming
The Odessy of Love, #III: Covenant Cove
  • Released: May 22, 2022
  • Label: Man of Yah Productions
  • Format: Streaming
The Odessy of Love, #IV: Sea's Spring
  • Released: May 22, 2022
  • Label: Man of Yah Productions
  • Format: Streaming

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions and certifications
Title Year Peak chart positions Album
US
R&B Digital
[9]
US
Adult
R&B
US
R&B/Hip Hop
"Battles" 2016 22 Non-album single
"Battles (Gold Medal Mix)"
"Good Woman"[10] 5 35 Already All Ready
"Already All Ready" 2017
"What's Love Got to Do with It?" 2018 Non-album single
"Solo" 2019
"My Empty" 2022
"Fallen" 2022
"Black Swan" 2022 The Odessy of Love, #I: Battle Bayou


References

  1. Slezak, Michael (April 7, 2016). "American Idol Series Finale Recap: Did the Right Contestant Win? Plus: TVLine's Series Finale Awards!". TV Line Media, LLC. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  2. Shirley Halperin; Fred Bronson (April 7, 2016). "'American Idol' Winner & Runner-Up Both Have Label Deals: Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved April 9, 2016.
  3. Avery, Dan. ""American Idol" Finalist La'Porsha Renae: "I Don't Really Agree With The LGBT Lifestyle"". NewNowNext. Logo. Retrieved 12 April 2016.
  4. Smith, Nigel M. (11 April 2016). "American Idol's La'Porsha Renae draws anger for anti-LGBT comments". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  5. "2016 Olympics: 'American Idol' La'Porsha Renae Releases 'Battles (Gold Medal Mix)'". Billboard. Retrieved 2016-12-22.
  6. "'American Idol' La'Porsha Renae Unveils First Single 'Good Woman': Exclusive". Billboard. Retrieved December 22, 2016.
  7. "La'Porsha Renae Resurfaces with New Book Series, New Name". MJ's Big Blog. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  8. "La'Porsha Renae Releases 'The Odessy of Love' Album Series". Amethyst Music News Magazine. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  9. Kevin Rutherford (April 13, 2016). "'American Idol' Finalists MacKenzie Bourg & Dalton Rapattoni Debut on Rock Charts". Billboard.
  10. "Adult R&B Airplay". Billboard. 28 November 2013.
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