During the 11th season of “American Idol,” Josh Ledet became a fan favorite after his soulful rendition of Harold Melvin & the Blue Note’s “If You Don’t Know Me by Now.” It soon became evident that Ledet was one of the best contestants to ever enter the competition.
After finishing in the top three that season, Ledet toured with American Idol LIVE! and even got an opportunity to sing at the White House during the “Memphis Soul” event in 2013.
Ledet recently sat down with rolling out to discuss his “American Idol” success and future projects.
Let’s talk about music and how you were first introduced to music? What’s your fondest memory of music while growing up?
Just growing up and singing in the church. My father was a pastor. Being around music 24/7. I have two older sisters that sing, and an older brother. My mother is like the foundation of singers in our family, she taught all of us how to sing. I guess you can say it’s family related, watching my family, wanting to be like my older siblings. Music just came along.
How were you selected to be on “American Idol”?
I can’t remember how old I was, but I was young. From the first episode, I probably was 8 or 9, I saw it and I wanted to be on it. And I was like “if these people can get on there, I know I can do it too.” I always wanted to be a singer, I just made a conscious effort everyday, telling myself that I’m going to be on that show, and it just came to pass, which was really shocking to me. That just shows me that if you believe something and you work hard it can happen. Just believe in yourself. The show changed my life.
What do you remember most about getting on the “American Idol” stage for the first time?
The first thing I told myself was that “they messed up because they let me get to the stage.” I just felt like once I got on the stage, [there was] no stopping me because I waited so long, I got turned away from “American Idol” twice before. And I just felt like if I got the last show, where people actually got to vote for me and it wasn’t up to the producers and the production team, I could do it. And when I made it to the top 24, I said to myself “it’s on!” I didn’t have in my mind that I was going home, I knew I wasn’t going to go home anytime soon. That was on my mind the entire time.
So, let’s fast-forward to what’s going on now. You got a chance to launch your solo career. How’s that going?
Aw man, it’s been great. I’ve always wanted to do music my whole life. Coming from very little, it’s great to be able to just step out and do your own thing, you know like move across the country. I moved all the way to California in order to pursue my dreams. I’m only 24 years old, and I’m really blessed by God. I’m extremely grateful because there are a lot of people that it didn’t turn out so great for. I never let that just go by the wayside. I’m always thinking of that and I’m always grateful. I try to put my all in my music, my heart in my music, and not try to be phony, because at the end of the day, your music is your truth, and I need to stay true to myself.
Another milestone was your performance at the White House. How was that experience?
Oh man, that was crazy. That was like the highlight of my career. Just to be a part of the Obama journey, and being able to serenade him and his family and many other people in the White House. It was crazy, I never would’ve imagined that I could do something like that. It just kind of came out of nowhere. It was great! It was like a once in a lifetime type of thing.
What can we expect from your latest project?
Well, my single “What Love Can Do” is actually on iTunes now. So, we released it. My first single I released since I’ve been off the show. And within the next week, we’re going to release my second single, “Trust Me, I Lied,” written by Diane Warren. I’m extremely excited about a beautiful song, the lyrics just have so many meanings, so much depth and I just love it. I think the world will love it too.
Any words of advice for up-and-coming singers trying to get into music?
Always believe in yourself, and never let nobody tell you nothing. Someone once told me that if you’re a writer, never stop writing. You’re not going to always be able to sing when you’re 80 or 90 years-old, but you always can write, and that’s where you get your bread. You always keep on writing.
