Syesha Mercado has appeared on Broadway and American Idol and on Friday she will make an appearance in Chicago.
The singer will perform at The Artist’s Lounge, which will be held at The Bar 10 Doors, 1259 W. Taylor St. Doors open at 7:00 pm, and the show will start at 8:30 pm. Tickets are $10 in advance, or $15 at the door, and can be purchased at www.TheBar10Doors.com. The new event, hosted by MTV’s Naked Chef, Jacques Laventura, also known as the Fitness Joq, offers budding talent an opportunity to showcase their work.
Mercado has starred in the Broadway tour for Dreamgirls, Once on This Island and The Book of Mormon. She later became apart of the Broadway cast and starred in the movie “Dreams,” which was filmed right here in Chicago.
Local artists such as Justin Ruff, Rocky Jones, Frankie Parker, Erthe St. James and Demi Michalopoulos will perform music by artists like Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston and Teena Marie. Mercado said she will be performing “timeless” pieces that everyone can sing along to.
She said she wanted to participate because she wants to support all of the up-and-coming performers. She said that the industry is challenging and that it takes a lot of hard work and patience to succeed.
“People think success happens overnight, but there is no such thing,” said Mercado. ” It happens and there is a lot of preparation and hard work that goes into it.”
She recognized the career boost that American Idol gave her. She was a finalist for season 7.
“American Idol opened up a lot of doors for me,” said Mercado. “It has given me national recognition so if I am auditioning for something people may know me from Idol; I am a familiar face now.”
Her advice to aspiring artists is to practice daily, stay persistent and be yourself.
“Remember that the most important opinion is the one you have of yourself,” she said. “Trust in yourself and do you because in the end people appreciate when you are authentic and it comes across in the music.”
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