La’Porsha Renae Gets Surprise Record Deal After ‘American Idol’ Finale
La’Porsha Renae may not have won American Idol Thursday night, but she still has a big reason to celebrate. Billboard reports the Mississippi native was given a surprise record deal following the show’s finale.
Big news, runner up @laporsharenae has been signed by Motown Records! pic.twitter.com/RefyQHdmiC
— Courtney Ann Jackson (@courtneyannj) April 8, 2016
Renae will sign with 19/Big Machine/Motown Records — the same deal she would have earned as the winner. Idol mentor and president of Big Machine Label Group Scott Borchetta said they decided to sign both La’Porsha and Trent to give fans what they want and to celebrate a successful final season.
“Because of the overwhelming fan demand and success of the farewell season of American Idol, we have made the decision to sign both the winner, Trent Harmon, and runner-up, La’Porsha Renae, to exclusive recording agreements.”
Scott Borchetta went on to say it was the perfect way to end the 15th and final season of American Idol.
“I can’t think of a better way to bring this American institution to a close. Everyone at the Big Machine Label Group, the Universal Music Group and Motown Records are so thrilled with the outcome and can’t wait to get to work.”
La’Porsha Renae told ET that she wasn’t really surprised that Trent Harmon had won American Idol. However, she was very surprised that she walked away with a major record deal. When the producers told La’Porsha they had some “good news” for her, she didn’t know what to expect.
“I’m thinking they’re talking about I got a gig or something. They were like, ‘Well, you’re signed to Motown and Big Machine and 19 Records anyways,’ I was like, ‘Oh ok, WOW!'”
While many of her fans were shocked she took second place, La’Porsha Renae has nothing but positive feelings toward Trent Harmon. “He really deserves it. Trent is such a good person,” she told ET of her fellow American Idol competitor.
La’Porsha Renae even looks forward to working with Trent in the future. She revealed that she and Harmon, who is also a Mississippi native, would like to do a concert for their home state to celebrate being the final two during Idol‘s farewell season.
Trent Harmon feels the same for his dear friend La’Porsha Renae. He told ET that he and La’Porsha made a powerful agreement backstage Thursday night.
“I said a little prayer right before and I told Porsha, I said, ‘Porsha whatever happens, let’s just hug. If they call your name or they call my name, let’s just hug and not even care what they say.’ And she agreed.”
Trent is also excited to “go to work” with La’Porsha. After being crowned as the final American Idol, he credited La’Porsha Renae for pushing him to the end. Harmon told ET their close friendship will continue as they begin to build their careers.
“I’m just glad I get to go to work with my friend. Even post-Idol we’re gonna be doing this together. We don’t do it separately, we do it together. We sit next to each and I’ll say, ‘Porsha can you sing this?’ and she’ll say, ‘Yeah but can you sing this?’ We get better together.”
Scott Borchetta plans a “killer diva-soul-R&B-pop record” for La’Porsha Renae, reports USA Today. There is no word on when her debut album may be out, but Borchetta warns fans to “watch out.” According to him, “Queen La’Porsha” has “another gear” no one has heard yet.
[Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP]
