Palmetto resident Tamesha Labostrie is hoping to be the next American idol, and she's hoping Acadiana will help get her there.
The 27-year-old wife and mother of three will fly to Philadelphia Sunday to compete for a spot on the top-rated reality TV show.
Labostrie will sing for the show's producers. And if the producers like her, Labostrie will come face-to-face with American Idol judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson.
"I'm just praying that Acadiana keeps me in their prayers," Labostrie said.
Labostrie is the winner of Acadiana Idol - a competition held in Lafayette. There, she was one of 18 finalists who competed at the Mall of Acadiana for a chance to audition for American Idol. Opelousas resident Annastacia Leday also auditioned and competed in the final round.
"I am overwhelmed," she said. "It's amazing that out of 18 people, Acadiana chose me to be their idol."
When it was her turn to sing, Labostrie began with What God Has for Me is for Me.
Darlene O. Young, Labostrie's mentor and friend, said the gospel song was Labostrie's prayer.
"She was actually praying through the song," Young said.
She said Labostrie sang the gospel song a cappella and then stopped to thank the judges. Then she broke into her own rendition of Arthea Franklin's Chain of Fools.
Labostrie and Young said they could tell that the judges liked her performance.
"Spellbound," Young said referring to the competition's judges. "One judge said 'we understand every word you said.'"
The two women's friendship goes as far back as Labostrie's high school days when Young, a resource officer at North Central High School, was organizing the school's graduation.
Young said she discovered that Labostrie could sing and has called on her to utilize her voice every since.
"She would always be willing, able," Young said. "Never asked for anything."
Young said she is proud of her friend. Labostrie will sing Thinkanother Arthea Franklin song for American Idol producers Monday. Then she will find out if she will face the show's judges. Her designation as "Acadiana Idol" will allow her to skip the long line of hopeful chasing the same dream - to be the next American Idol.
Singing, Labostrie said is her gift from God.
"When I need some relief I sing," she said.