Oprah Presents LaShell Griffin 'Free' album

This is LaShell Griffin's time. As the winner of The Oprah Winfrey Pop Star Challenge, LaShell has captivated an entire nation with her flawless voice, emotion-packed delivery and humble presence.

LaShell has waited patiently for her chance to blossom. And with the help of Oprah Winfrey and Epic Records, her time has come.

Born and raised in Detroit, LaShell Griffin knew from an early age that music would be her mission. At nine years old, she longed to join the church choir. By the age of thirteen, when she was old enough to join, she was given solos on a regular basis. Although she knew the response was always positive, she still suffered from stage fright.

"I started off holding my head down when I sang," says LaShell. "Then I started looking at the ceiling, then the clock on the wall in front of me. Finally, I just started singing with my eyes closed, so I could tune out everything and everyone and just deliver."

It's a method that has stayed with her ever since. And although music would eventually take a back seat to her family responsibilities, it was never far from her mind.

By her early 30s, LaShell was a married mother of five children. Her husband, Lee, also a singer, encouraged her to continue singing in the church choir. Eventually, her wrenching solos brought requests to perform at weddings. Those performances became incredibly sought-after and soon LaShell was juggling two or three weddings per weekend, in addition to her responsibilities to her family and her church.

"It got so hectic that we had to get our pastor to start managing us," says LaShell. "It was a great feeling to be appreciated by so many.

Her schedule slowed down in November 2003, when LaShell broke her foot. "I was home all day and I couldn't do anything," remembers LaShell. "I was watching The Oprah Winfrey Show and I heard them talking about sending in tapes for a contest. I told my husband and he said to me, "This is it." We recorded a tape of me singing "Amazing Grace" at church and just waited.

They didn't have to wait long. One day, a few weeks after they sent in the tape, LaShell was pulling into her driveway after picking her husband up from work. "The phone was ringing and I just assumed it was another bill collector," says LaShell. "And it was a producer from Oprah's show. I couldn't believe it. I could hardly breathe."

What followed was a whirlwind trip to Chicago, several mind-blowing performances on national television, stiff competition from several mega-talented contenders and then, a final announcement that LaShell Griffin was the winner of an Epic Records recording contract.

Talking to LaShell about the experience is a lesson in humility. Her voice remains even and unrushed, even when talking about one of the most amazing events in her life. "It feels so natural for me, all of this," says LaShell, because I believe in keeping it real and being myself so there is no fa?ade."

On The Oprah Winfrey Show, LaShell brought down the house with her versions of Whitney Houston's "Greatest Love of All," and "One Moment In Time," both of which can be heard on the soundtrack to Oprah's Pop Star Challenge. On that CD, LaShell also debuts "Free," a single from her upcoming album. "Free" offers LaShell the opportunity to let loose with her powerful pipes while she weaves a tale of a spirit that yearns to be unfettered.

For LaShell, the theme of freedom is more than just the lyrics in a song. "I always wanted my mission in life to be to spread the messages that are important to me. I knew that I was a good wife and a good mother. But I also knew there would be much more in store for me. I was right. And I hope my music will inspire others to look deeply into their hearts and soul and find out what they are meant to do. Because everyone has their season. And this is mine."

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Oprah Presents LaShell Griffin - Free