Reality Check: 'American Idol's' Trenyce 'Aint Misbehavin'

Season two 'American Idol' finalist Trenyce is the latest star from the hit reality franchise to be cast in the revival of the popular Broadway musical, 'Aint Misbehavin.'

The 28-year-old singer (born Lashundra Trenyce Cobbins) will join the musical when it kicks off in November, starring opposite 'American Idol' winner Ruben Studdard and fellow season two contestant Frenchie Davis.

"When I heard Ruben was a part of it, I was excited because it has been such a while since we really got a chance to hang out. When I got the role and he called me and it took us a while to get off the phone because we were catching up on each others lives. He is like my brother. I love him so much," Trenyce began. "And then Frenchie, I hadn't really seen her since I went to see 'Rent' a few years ago. It will be nice to see her again as well. I love the fact that we were all from the same season and now we are all reuniting on stage again, but in another capacity."

Also involved in the 'Aint Misbehavin' production is a fourth person affiliated with the Fox series.

"Our vocal coach from 'Idol' Debra Byrd is our vocal coach for the show," she offered. "So this really an 'Idol' reunion for us. I am just blessed to be able to be a part of a cast that I already know. And there are only five characters in the show and I don't know what it is about that number, but I will be in the 'Top 5' again!"

In 'Aint Misbehavin,' Trenyce plays Charlaine, the youngest of the ladies who gets schooled about love.

"I love this character because it shows the audience, yet another side of me. Charlaine is silly, endearing, and the total opposite of any other character I have played so far. I look forward to bringing her to life," she said.

Since her appearance on 'American Idol,' the Memphis-bred powerhouse has starred in stage productions like the E. Lynn Harris play, 'Not A Day Goes By,' 'Dreamgirls' and David E. Talbert's 'Love in the Nick of Tyme.'

She's also headlined the Las Vegas production, 'V: The Ultimate Variety Show,' had a cameo in Queen Latifah's 'Beauty Shop' and continues to perform shows and do appearances related to 'American Idol.'

Now that the singer has signed with Vincent Cirrincione Associates, the Hollywood management company that reps Halle Berry and Taraji P. Henson, she's been to focus her emphasis on acting.

"Let me tell you, it is the most "at home" I have been with an agency since I moved out to LA," she exclaimed of Cirrincione and his team. "I can call them any time of day or night and they are consistently there. I just hope to be that next breakout star for them like Taraji!"

Trenyce just wrapped production on the Maurice Jamal film, 'Friends and Lovers: The Ski Trip 2,' and also co-executive produced a sketch comedy pilot called 'LMAO (Laughing My Ass Off)' that included an appearance by Morris Chestnutt.

"It is the female version of Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall when they played all of the characters in 'Coming to America' mixed with a little of 'The Tracey Ullman Show,'" she explained about the latter project. "We shot the pilot two weeks ago and are in talks with a few networks that are very interested in it. The fact that we created, wrote, executive produced and starred in it made us feel like we had accomplished a lot, even if nothing happens we can say, 'we did that.'"

Though she's been concentrating on her acting endeavors as of late, that didn't stop Trenyce from bringing down the house with an ambitious rendition of Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You' at the recent NAACP Theater Awards in Los Angeles.

"It introduced and reintroduced people to me. It was exhilarating for me. Most of Black Hollywood was there that night from film, TV and theater and it allowed people to hear me live and to see that I had not gone anywhere," she expressed.

With the way her career is progressing, I doubt Trenyce is going anywhere, anytime soon.

*****

VIDEO: Watch this clip of Trenyce singing Whitney Houston's 'I Have Nothing.'

Black Music Notes Mar. 19

3/19/09: Rihanna / Chris Brown
Contrary to previous claims that Rihanna and Chris Brown reunited in the studio last month to record a new duet, record producer Polow Da Don recently confirmed that the couple recorded the newly surfaced track last year. "The reports are inaccurate," Polow's publicist, Laura Wright, told US magazine. "The duet was recorded long before the incident." According to People, the track, reportedly titled 'Bad Girl,' was intended to be on the soundtrack for 'Confessions of a Shopaholic,' but the song was eventually recorded by the Pussycat Dolls.

Frank Micelotta, Getty Images

3/19/09: Kanye West / The Dream
Seven years ago this month, music heavyweights R. Kelly and Jay-Z released their highly anticipated collaborative album 'The Best of Both Worlds.' Now it appears Kanye West and The Dream are vying to work on a similar project. "Everybody is trying to talk us into it," Dream told 'MTV News' of his and West's friends and business associates. "It was first thought of by me. I was in Miami at the time, and I gave Kanye a call and said, 'The best thing would be for me and you to do an album.'... Let's take the best of both worlds and put it on a CD and try to make something we can sell to the consumers. He says he's with it. We're gonna try to make it happen." For now, you can catch Kanye on Dream's potential third single 'Walking on the Moon,' which is featured on his newly released album 'Love vs. Money.'

Getty Images

3/19/09: The Miracles
Legendary Motown group The Miracles is the latest musical act to receive a Hollywood star on the world-renowned Walk of Fame. The 'Ooo Baby, Baby' singers were presented with the 2,381st star on March 20 by Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, President and CEO Leron Gubler. Motown founder Berry Gordy and Stevie Wonder were also on hand as guest speakers for the ceremony.

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

3/19/09: Chester Gregory
After several years of blowing audiences away on the 'Great White Way,' Broadway Star and R&B soul recording artist Chester Gregory is preparing the release of his debut album 'In Search of High Love.' The March 31 release finds the multitalented singer introducing himself as a thoughtful and sensitive songwriter blessed with a voice that captivates and demands attention. "While I've thoroughly enjoyed performing on Broadway -- eight shows a week and telling other people's amazing stories -- now it's time for me to share my own," explained Gregory. Highlights of 'In Search of High Love' include the poetic 'Clouds to the Ground,' the crossover-bound 'Say it's Over' and Jackie Wilson's soaring 1967 chart-topper 'Higher and Higher.'

Jemal Countess, WireImage

3/19/09: Sammy Davis Jr.
Altovise Davis, the widow of Rat Pack member Sammy Davis Jr. , recently died at the age of 65. Two days prior to her death, she was admitted to Los Angeles'Cedars-Sinai Medical Center after suffering a stroke. The couple, who met in 1967 on the set of the musical 'Golden Boy,' married in 1970 and remained together until Davis' untimely death of throat cancer in 1990.

Evening Standard / Getty Images

3/19/09: Earth, Wind & Fire
Iconic Rock and Roll Hall of Fame group Earth, Wind & Fire is set to hit the road this summer for a 30-city tour beginning June 5 in Orange Beach, AL. In addition to Maurice White and company gracing the stage will be pop-rock band Chicago, which will perform a full show before joining for a final set together, according to Billboard. The tour will conclude on Aug. 1 in Lake Tahoe, NV.

Santiago Llanquin / AP

3/19/09: Kim Burrell
Gospel vocalist Kim Burrell is on deck to release her first new album in nine years titled 'No Ways Tired.' The project's title is inspired by gospel pioneer James Cleveland's classic of the same name. In addition to covering Cleveland's hit, Burrell also tapped other timeless classics including 'My Faith Looks Up to Thee,' 'What a Friend We Have in Jesus,' 'O Lamb of God,' and 'I Surrender All.' There are also a few originals. 'No Ways Tired' is set to hit stores April 7 via Shanachie Records.

Zomba

3/19/09: Mike Jones
Despite being on hiatus since the release of his debut album 'Who Is Mike Jones?' Houston's own Mike Jones is ready to make his mark on the charts once again with the release of 'The Voice.' Jones' sophomore effort is packed with some of the industry's most talented artist including, Lil' Wayne, T-Pain, Devin the Dude, Hurricane Chris and Twista. He's had recent success with his latest single 'Next To You,' which is currently number 16 on Radio and Records Rhythmic charts. "For the past four years, I have been doing a lot of restructuring, getting this record right, making sure my business is right and more," Jones said of his hiatus. "Now, I am ready to finish what I started. I'm hoping my fans will feel 'The Voice' was worth the wait." Mike Jones 'The Voice' is due in stores April 28.

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3/19/09: Prince
With the recent announcement that Michael Jackson will return to the stage this summer, another influential artist is also planning to make his return. Beginning March 25, Prince will be performing on the 'Tonight Show with Jay Leno' for three consecutive nights. In addition, the 'Little Red Corvette' singer is also readying the Mar. 29 release of his two new albums 'LOtUSFLOW3R' and 'MPLSoUND.' Prince is the latest artist to promote a release through multiple late-night talk show performances. U2 also recently performed five nights in a row on the 'Late Show with David Letterman' in support of its new album 'No Line on the Horizon.'

Kevin Winter, NCLR / Getty Images

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