Jackson Expose’
La’Porsha Renae
July/August 2016
America’s Favorite Idol!
Read her Amazing Interview!
See
Who’s Who in Jackson Expose’ Mag
Check out La’Porsha’s Hollywood Moves!
Coach Luther Riley and
Tracey Harmon Featured!
CONTENT
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F R O M T H E
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4. LA’PORSHA RENAE Cover Story America’s Favorite Idol
8. LUTHER RILEY
Basketball Coach Extraordinaire
12. TRACEY WELLS HARMON The Skinny Wraps And More
13 WHO’S WHO in Jackson Expose’ Magazine
14. BUSINESS DIRECTORY Brilliant Brands
20. TURQUOISE PLACE
O N T H E
CO V E R
La’Porsha Renae America’s Favorite Idol
Jackson Expose’ Magazine is honored to present America’s Favorite Idol from the TV Show American Idol. Read all about the “Hollywood Moves” she is making! Also featured inside is Coach Luther Riley who has coached many to the NBA giants . And check out Tracey Wells Harmon and Who’s Who in Jackson Expose’! As well as our Brilliant Brands Business Directory. See and read about the sights of Turquoise Place Resort.
Resort in Gulf Shores
T E R R I
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Editor Publisher.
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La’Porsha Renae Our Favorite Idol
Grants an Exclusive Interview with Jackson Expose’ Magazine!
Tell us about your background. I was born in Greenville, MS. Raised in Raceland, LA, Flora, MS, Monticello, MS, and McComb, MS. I have 1 younger sister, 1 older half sister, and 3 older half brothers. I was bullied a lot in school until I started accepting who I was as a person and standing up for myself. I was a straight A principal scholar student until my junior year in high school.
When did you begin singing? I began singing when I was 6 years old. Around what time did you realize that you could sing professionally? I didn’t realize that I could sing professionally until about 12 years old. La’Porsha Renae
I entered a gospel singing competition and won. Then I realized that people actually enjoyed hearing me sing, and that I should look into really investing my heart in this gift God gave me.
I knew that I would lay my soul out there and hope that they would hear the desparation in my voice . . .”
How did you get into the American Idol auditions? Tell us what that process was like. Getting into the American Idol auditions was a “divine” process. I and my mother, along with my then 6 month old daughter, drove 28 long hours to Providence, RI for the first bus tour stop of the final season of AI. I’d promised myself to follow AI around the country until I got a yes from them to be on the show. By the grace of God, I got a yes right off the bat, and then 3 more yeses from the executive producers
Above: La’Porsha Renae sings another soulful song that mesmerized judges and everyone alike.
until I finally made it to the judges, and got a yes from them too!! I can say the audition process for me was fairly easy.
Did you feel confident from the beginning that you would make the initial cut? I did feel confident that I would make the cut. I knew that I would lay my soul out there and had hopes that they would hear the des-
Below: La’Porsha Renae stands before the Judges on American Idol.
peration in my voice and through my songs to feel inspired or moved in some way.
What about the second round of eliminations, what was that experience like? I was very nervous by the second round of eliminations during Hollywood week because it was group rounds and that night was horrific.
ABOVE STAIRS La’Porsha Renae sings on stage at the TV Show American Idol.
Did you make any friends or connections along the way? I made some great acquaintances along the way that I really feel will turn out to be life long friends of mine.
How did it feel to be chosen as one of only two finalists? It felt like such a blessing to be chosen as one of the two
finalists for the final season. It was such an honor.
Were you concerned about making Mississippi proud? I received such strong support from fans during the process and it made me feel that I was not alone and people could relate to me and my daughter’s struggle. They were so encouraging to me and I thank God for them every day.
How has your life changed since you made it to the top 2 finalist? My life has changed tremendously since I’ve made it to the top 2 finalists. I can’t go grocery shopping anymore without being approached for pictures and hugs and autographs….It’s so sweet to meet the very people I’ve inspired.
LA’PORSHA RENAE
COVER FEATURE
LEFT La’Porsha Renae’s family is in the audience to support her. Pictured is her Daughter, Father and Mother.
BELOW La’Porsha’s baby girl stills the spotlight while in the admiring arms of Jennifer Lopez.
BELOW: LA’PORSHA SINGS SOULFUL LYRICS ON STAGE TV SHOW AMERICAN IDOL
How has Mississippi received you since your American idol accomplishment? I’d like to think they’re proud of me. Do you feel like you have put McComb, Mississippi on the map? I think I’ve contributed to putting McComb, MS on the map, but there have been some great people to rise up from McComb before me. What are some of your plans for the future? I plan to become a multi Grammy winning recording artist, songwriter, and producer.
COACH LUTHER RILEY
Perspicacious, Obsessed, Opportunist, Spiritual, Passionate
T
ell us about your upbringing.
I was born in the small town of Walnut Grove, Ms. My parents were really strict on us as we had three things that we did often: 1) read books and study 2) go to church, and 3) play basketball. My dad was the disciplinarian. He was very tough on us as he demanded excellence on and off the court. Our mom was so meek and mild. Growing up, we were the only house that had the nice court and chain nets so we would have over 50 people at our house daily. We played basketball sometimes all day and night. Although we loved the game, homework came first during school months. We very seldom watched television, never talked on the phone, and never went out to the movies or parties. As a matter of fact, I went to the movies for the first time my senior year- one month before graduation. It appears that our parent’s blueprint for success worked as we took those three things very seriously. It payed off with a Valedictorian, Salutatorian (me), and three high honor students in the family and to add to that, all were college graduates. Also, with basketball, my brothers were really good as the oldest (Johnny) averaged 25 ppg before three pointers. Angelo, the sharp shooter and best ball handler in Pictured: Coach Luther Riley. Photography: Ken Gordon
the family was small (5’5) but averaged 20 ppg. One night in particular I watched him score 30 when the players from the other team screamed: “Coach, we can’t guard him!!” Did you play basket ball in school and how well did you play? I played basketball in high school at South Leake. I was pretty good as I had no choice with my older brothers representing like they did. I played on a really good team and we were able to capture the State championship my senior year. To add to that, I was chosen to play in the North/ South All Star game. I also played ball in college at East Central and Mississippi Valley State. When did you decide to become a coach and where was your first coaching job? After watching my dad and my college coach (Stribling) I knew I wanted to be a coach. They had such a positive impact on so many young people and me. So I sacrificed what I really wanted to pursue to be a basketball coach. As Coach Stribling put it “It was in my blood”.
titles and 1 Grand Slam (Overall Championship) Title. This one was very special as it was the schools first championship in history. I give all the credit to the players, coaches and supporters as they believed in me and my process of how we wanted things done. How did it feel to have all eight of your seniors on your basketball team to sign up with colleges? It’s a great feeling to know that the student athletes have a chance to go to college for free. We know that education is the key and I am so fortunate to have the opportunity to coach these fine young men. More importantly, as overseer of these young men, I felt obligated to ensure that these young men were not only successful on the court, but off the court as well. What do you think is the real secret to becoming a basketball champion? The secret to becoming a champion involve many steps.
I see that you have achieved another State Championship, tell us about that. This is my 6th state championship. I have won 5 state Coach Riley receives award from Michael Jordan for coaching Jordan’s Brand Classic in Manhattan, NY.
It’s a great feeling to know that the student athletes have a chance to go to college for free.” For starters, I think being a champion is open to anyone that wants to be one. It comes with a price that can’t be bought with normal currency but instead with many intangibles that I refer to as separators. There has to be an innate passion/ motivation that fuels the drive in order to even start the process of wanting to become a champion. With its many differences from being a winner, being a champion has stifling effects on the masses that are long lasting and never forgotten. I’m doing clinics through my basketball service that will layout the process of becoming a champion.
s t n e d u t s f o p u o r g a o t ks s t a r e o p p s S y e e l i h T R t h a c t e u Coa q n a B h t u o Y s ’ r a e y . t s e la m a F f Hall o
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In the future, I want to continue to try and meet short and long term goals I’ve set for myself. Maybe some role in the NBA, administrator with coaches, or even a scout that finds and develops talent. How can someone contact you regarding mentoring?
Pictured: Coach Luther Riley speaking with Nancy Carpenter, Executive Director of the Columbus Tourism/ Visitors Bureau.
Tell us about some of the basketball champions who you have coached? All the members of my teams at Provine, Alcorn, and Columbus were champions. The teams that stood out the most were probably the 2003, 2004, 2008 Provine Rams teams. But to name a couple: Justin Reed (Provine, Ole Miss, Boston Celtics, Minnesota Timberwolves) - The best player to date that I have ever coached. He was physically gifted with his body, his skills were second to none and IQ of the game was unbelievable. And top that with a kid like attitude off the court, but the tenacity of a pit bull on the court. Also, Charlie White (Provine, Jackson State) - Point guard that led his team to back to
back state championships. Was only 5’10 but had the heart of a lion. Was player of the year beating out three future NBA draft picks. And also the entire Columbus Falcon Basketball Team 20152016. Tell me about mentoring to coaches and parents? I think I want to make this something I do regularly as coaches and parents are so vital in young peoples lives. I want to ensure that both are on the cutting edge of information pertinent to their growth and development. Parents that haven’t been through the athletic process or coaches that are in their 1-5 years, in my opinion, need to have someone to help guide them to the path of least resistance.
If you are a coach (any sport, teacher or business), parent, or student-athlete that might need an experienced person to help guide them through the processes of team building, athletic policies or guidelines or player development, I have the experience and the understanding of how to help build a winner. Please contact me at coach@ lrbasketball.com, or call at 678.466.0632. I’ve seen too many instances where coaches and parents are frustrated when they don’t know what questions to ask or there’s a scenario that they don’t quite how to handle. It doesn’t matter what sport, I’m really focused on helping with the process. I’ve got over 20 years of experience, a 9x champion, Nike Certified specialist, former Division I head coach, USA Basketball Certified Trainer and most of all I’m a Christian that has a true passion for what I do.
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WHO’S WHO
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PET PEEVE: Unnecessary loudness
PET PEEVE: Judgemental people.
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Scenes from Turquoise Place Resorts Credit: SpectrumResorts.com
TURQUOISE PLACE RESORT Turquoise Place Resorts is located in Gulf Shores, Alabama. It has been called the most classy and sophisticated resort in all of Gulf Shores. Because of its exclusiveness many of the entertainers or stars who visit or perform in the Gulf Shores area choose to stay here. Some time families will share one of there 3 or 4 condos to make their stay there more affordable.
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relax on the balcony After a relaxing day at the beach, you can enjoy the view from your private hot tub. Can you imagine relaxing in your very own spa like hot tub as you watch and listen to the ocean waves. You might even see a few dolphins jumping out of the water while you are at it!
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Scenes from Turquoise Place Resorts Credit: SpectrumResorts.com
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Scenes from Turquoise Place Resorts Credit: SpectrumResorts.com
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