Lashundra Trenyce Cobbins (born March 31, 1980 in Memphis, Tennessee), known professionally as Trenyce, is an American singer and was a finalist for the second season of American Idol in 2003, finishing in fifth place.

Biography

Trenyce was born to Jesse and Linda Cobbins. At the age of two, she began singing jingles she heard on the television and radio. Trenyce competed in local talent shows and school pageants, winning the title of "Miss Sophomore" and First Alternate to "Miss Junior" at Central High School in Memphis, Tennessee.

After high school, Trenyce attended the University of Memphis on a full music scholarship and further developed her talent as part of the school's "University Singers" organization and Sound Fuzion, a University band that toured the state of Tennessee performing in different venues and performing a wide array of musical genres. While at the University, Trenyce majored in nursing, completing three years before deciding that nursing was not her calling. Trenyce decided to take a break and to give herself a year to make it in the music business.

In addition to her high school and college performing, Trenyce performed in numerous venues in Memphis, such as Rhythms Nightclub, Precious Cargo, and Isaac Hayes Restaurant. Trenyce has also given back to the community by singing at various events held by charitable organizations such as the NewsChannel Three Kids Count Expo, the NAACP Gala and the Miss Kappa Alpha Psi Pageant. Trenyce competed in the national NAACP Act-So Competition in Atlanta, Georgia in 1996, placing first in a competition that included over 125 contestants from all over the country.

American Idol

While on a break from school, Trenyce learned that "American Idol" would be holding auditions in Nashville, Tennessee in October 2002. Trenyce camped out for 3 days and nights, almost losing her voice in the process, but auditioned first for producers and executive producers. She was chosen by celebrity judges, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Simon Cowell to audition in California against the top 250 contestants chosen from the nationwide search. Trenyce made it through that round to the top 32. She did not go through to the top 12 after her performance in her round of eight, but was given a slot in the wildcard show. With her version of "Let's Stay Together"--which was eventually featured on the season's compilation album"she was chosen by Abdul to take one of the four remaining berths in the Top 12. Trenyce eventually placed fifth.

While still on the show, it was revealed Trenyce was once arrested on a felony theft charge, however Nigel Lythgoe considered it to be a minor offence, one which she had been honest about, and therefore not one which would warrant any concern regarding her participation on the show.

During the months of June and August 2003, Trenyce performed on the American Idol II Live Concert Tour with fellow finalists, singing Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" and Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing". The American Idol tour outsold the Justin Timberlake and Christina Aguilera joint tour, and covered a total of 41 cities in 55 days.

American Idol performances

Week	Theme	Song Sung	Artist	Status
Semifinals	Group #1	"Love Sneaking Up on You"	Bonnie Raitt	Eliminated
Wild Card	-	"Let's Stay Together"	Al Green	Selected
Top 12	Motown	"Come See About Me"	The Supremes	Safe
Top 11	Cinema	"I Have Nothing"	Whitney Houston	Safe
Top 10	Country-Rock	"I Need You"	LeAnn Rimes	Safe
Top 8	Disco	"I'm Every Woman"	Chaka Khan	Bottom 2
Top 8	Billboard #1	"The Power of Love"	Celine Dion	Safe
Top 7	Billy Joel	"Baby Grand"	Billy Joel	Bottom 3
Top 6	Dianne Warren	"Have You Ever?"	Brandy	Bottom 3
Top 5	1960s Neil Sedaka	"Proud Mary "Love Will Keep Us Together"	Creedence Clearwater Revival Captain & Tennille	Eliminated

• ^ Due to Corey Clark's disqualification, the Top 9 performances became Top 8 when no one was eliminated.

Post-Idol

Following American Idol, Trenyce has appeared on national television on CNN, Live with Regis and Kelly, Extra, ET, Fox and Friends, The Early Show, The Wayne Brady Show, the Pulse, Inside Edition, Good Day Live, the Today Show, TRL. She has been featured in Memphis periodicals such as Grace Magazine, Proud Magazine, Party Source and was named one of Memphis' 30 Most Beautiful People in Elite Magazine's special June 2003 issue. She has been featured in Mid South's newspapers, such as The Commercial Appeal, The Silver Star News, and the TriState Defender. Recently, Trenyce was honored by both the Mayor of Shelby County and the Mayor of the City of Memphis and given a certificate of achievement as well as a key to the city.

In 2006, she toured as a a backup singer for "90s artist Wanda Dee, who was touring in Russia. Upon returning, she headlined a show, V: The Ultimate Variety Show, in Las Vegas.

Trenyce became involved in theatre when she was offered a role in a play Not a Day Goes By which toured in 2004. She also landed roles in The Vagina Monologues, Soul Kittens Cabaret, Mama"s Sweet Potato Pie and Invisible Life. In the summer of 2006, Trenyce starred as Deena in an Indianapolis production of Dreamgirls, produced by Bill Myers. This unique production was a joint venture that celebrated the cultural diversity of Indianapolis and was presented in two historic landmark venues; the Madame Walker Theatre and the Scottish Rite. This production received critical acclaim as "the best show Indianapolis has ever seen!"

In 2007, Trenyce played the role of Portia in the David E. Talbert stageplay, Love in the Nick of Tyme also starring Morris Chestnut, Ellia English, and R&B crooner, Avant. A DVD was released, and the show has also been aired on BET.

Between July 22 and August 2, 2008 Trenyce and former Idol contestants Julia DeMato, RJ Helton, Frenchie Davis, and Rickey Smith performed at the Razz Room in San Francisco. Vonzell Solomon, Constantine Maroulis, and David Hernandez also appeared in the Razz Room from August 5-16.

Trenyce was cast in the 30th anniversary revival tour of Ain't Misbehavin' starring Ruben Studdard and Frenchie Davis that ran 2008-09, the cast album of which was nominated for a 2010 Grammy Award.

In 2010, Trenyce joined The West End Company's hit musical called Thriller Live, a Michael Jackson tribute show in London's Lyric Theater as well as a tour in Europe.

Career in theater

• Not a Day Goes By (2004)
• The Vagina Monologues
• Soul Kittens Cabaret (2005)
• Mama"s Sweet Potato Pie
• Dreamgirls (2006, regional) as Deena Jones
• Invisible Life (2007)
• Love in the Nick of Tyme (2007, national tour) as Portia
• Ain't Misbehavin (2008, national tour) as Charlaine
• Ballroom with a Twist (2009, national tour)
• Thriller - Live (2010-2011, London West End, European tour)

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