Joelle James

Murrieta, Canyon Lake Girls Sing on 'Star Search'
The Press-Enterprise, March 1, 2003
By Rebecca Kelley

MURRIETA - Joelle James, a seventh-grader at Thompson Middle School in Murrieta, sang in the semifinal round of TV's "Star Search" that aired Friday night on CBS.

She was not voted to move on to the final round but said singing in the competition was a whole lot of fun.

"I was happy to be on the show and to have come this far," she said.

David Archuleta of Utah was chosen the junior-singer finalist.

Victoria Kelly, 10, of Canyon Lake also qualified for the semifinal round in the junior-singer category. Her performance of the song "Out Here on My Own" on Feb. 21 moved her ahead in the competition.

Joelle, 12, said the show has given her an insider's view of television, particularly of "Star Search" host Arsenio Hall.

"Arsenio is really crazy," she said. "He makes everyone laugh on the set during rehearsals. I really like him. He is so nice."

Victoria, a fourth-grader at Calvary Christian School, sharpened her early talent with lessons given by her father, a studio singer. She now works with a professional singing instructor in Riverside.

"Music is her gift, and it's such a natural part of who she is," said her mother, Laura, who is a pianist.

Before this month, Victoria's performances were limited to a handful of small competitions. Her appearances on "Star Search" were in front of 200 members of the studio audience and millions of television viewers nationwide.

Performing for famous people is something Joelle is used to. She sang "Georgia On My Mind" for Ray Charles when he accepted a lifetime achievement award from the Temecula Valley International Film Festival.

Singing the national anthem at all kinds of sporting events, Joelle has met several celebrities, including Alec Baldwin, Rita Coolidge and Carrie Fisher.

No matter what venue, Joelle said, she always is honored to sing the national anthem, but her dream is to become a recording artist.

She began singing at St. Martha's Church in Murrieta at age 5, before she was able to read.

She said when the choir director said she had a good voice, she decided to take voice lessons. She studies with Billy Purnell in Riverside.

Although singing is her main interest, her involvement with the Kids With a Cause group of celebrities is something she said makes her really happy.

She said the group of child celebrities entertains, helps to raise funds, cleans up playgrounds and gives clothing and blankets to children in need. Shortly, the group will travel to an orphanage in Mexico.

"I really like performing and then interacting with the children," she said.

She said that if it wasn't for her mother, Julia, none of this would be possible.

"My mom gets up at 5:30 a.m. and drives me wherever I need to go to make sure I get to auditions and rehearsals," she said.

Joelle said she is having a blast as she works toward her dream of becoming a recording artist, but "when it's not fun anymore, it's over."

HOME | BIOGRAPHY | MUSIC | NEWS/SHOWS | PRESS | PHOTOS | GUESTS | E-MAIL | JOELLE'S MYSPACE