Trenyce Cobbins: American Idol
“The music industry is probably the most abusive relationship I’ve ever been in. I don’t allow men to kick my butt, but this industry kicks my butt everyday....I’m doing what I love and that’s what makes it all worth it.”
Six years ago Trenyce Cobbins, a nursing student at the University of Memphis, drove to nearby Nashville to audition for season two of a televised vocal talent show called American Idol. She camped outside for three days to secure her shot and quickly progressed up the audition ladder until she was dismissed from the show during the semi-finals. But Idol wasn’t done with her yet because by a twist of fate, she became one of the 12 Idol contestants when she was returned to the competition by former judge Paula Abdul in a Wild Card round. Trenyce wowed audiences with her ability to be soft and sweet as well as bold and powerful during her vocal delivery. Her hard work eventually landed her fifth place, which was high enough for her to be invited to go on tour. Her rendition of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”was placed on the show’s compilation CD, and she completed the American Idol II Live Concert Tour that summer, singing Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" and Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing." The 2003 American Idol tour was a huge success outselling the Justin Timberlake/Christina Aguilera tour that also occurred that summer. Following American Idol, Trenyce made several national television appearances on shows such as Live with Regis and Kelly, Extra, ET, Fox, NBC’sToday Show, TRL and CNN. Here in Memphis, she was honored by Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton and former City of Memphis Mayor W.W. Herenton with a certificate of achievement and a key to the city.
Immediately after American Idol, Trenyce relocated to Los Angeles hoping to further capitalize on her new-found fame. She was greeted with new and exciting stage opportunities that have allowed her to add the title of actress to her resume. Her first play was Not a Day Goes By with Jackee Harry and since then, Trenyce has performed in two Broadway musicals: Dreamgirls in the title role of Deena and Ain’t Misbehavin. She has done several independent projects such as In the Nick ofTyme with Morris Chestnut and Avant, which will be out on DVD November 10th. She has also starred in Soul Kittens Cabaret with Tatyana Ali, Monifah, and Syleena Johnson and Mama’s Sweet Potatoe Pie. She has even written, produced and starred in a sketch comedy show called LMAO with her good friend Tiara Williams.
Trenyce’s stream of work has been consistent; thanks to her talent and the positive reputation she has built. Referrals from co-workers, directors and producers, in addition to the hard work of herself and her managers keep the gigs coming, bills paid and her career moving forward. The travel schedule can be grueling, often traveling six to nine months with one production and her independent album has had to take a back seat to her travels. However,Trenyce is determined to see it come to fruition and has recently slowed down to record. If all goes as planned her debut project will be ready for release in 2010.
Now age 29, Trenyce is stronger, wiser and more focused than she has ever been, and she’ll be the first to tell you that the journey hasn’t been easy. “The music industry is probably the most abusive relationship I’ve ever been in. I don’t allow men to kick my butt, but this industry kicks my butt everyday. People are going to tell you ‘no’, no matter how talented you are. Yet this is something that when they say 'yes', you can later look at those checks and go, ‘Wow, I can pay my rent for six months.’ I’m doing what I love and that’s what makes it all worth it,” says the starlet.
All of the pieces seem to be falling into place. For those who thought she was done, check out the two new videos she released in September and you’ll quickly realize otherwise. “You Make Me Sick” and “Free to Fall,” were directed by newcomer Dwight Malik, who suggested that Trenyce do something different and release the videos before releasing the songs for radio rotation. Trenyce is more than pleased with the results. “The videos have had a great response. During the first three weeks, they had over 2,000 hits. I know it’s not 2 million but it let me know that there are still people who are interested in what I’m doing. You get to the point where you’re wondering if your light is fading or maybe you missed the boat. The positivity I received just kind of woke things up and reminded me that God is not through with me yet. I owe it to myself to see this thing through. I’m not petrified anymore. I’m just being and the music will reflect that.”
The Memphis native describes her untitled upcoming CD as a “throwback,” reminiscent of the times of old when you had to really be able to sing to get an album deal and the content was suitable for any age. “I haven’t released anything yet. I’m still fleshing out all the songs that will be on the album. I let a few people listen to it and they loved it along with their parents and their children. It’s just me being me.” That leads one to ask, who Is Trenyce? “I’m pretty eclectic. I’m very unpredictable, and as I progress people will see that. I don’t like to be confined, restricted or labeled. As an artist, I think I’m very honest with my fans. My live shows are good because I connect with the audience. It should be an experience. People should leave going, ‘That’s the best money I’ve ever spent!’ If you’re not going to give it a thousand percent then why do it at all?”
Trenyce is not where she wants to be but is in no way unhappy where she is. The lessons she has learned on this journey have been invaluable and her ambitious nature propels her to constantly produce new ideas to pursue. Her goals are vast and include music, television, theatre, production, philanthropy, a husband, children and more.
When speaking to Trenyce, nothing but encouraging words and positive energy seem flow from her person. She refuses to go “Hollywood” and act like she is too good to be of assistance to others. “My family keeps me grounded. I am almost promised a butt kicking if I ever change. I have received so many more blessings by giving to others,” she reveals. The day we met, I was devastated that my rental car had been towed by the Los Angeles Police Department causing me to rack up bills of over $350 to get it back. In an attempt to put a smile on my face she paid for our dinner and suggested we follow it with ice cream. “It’s the least I can do. You’ve had a rough day,” she soothed. “That’s not your welcome to Los Angeles. You’ve got a better one coming.” I predict a positive future for her as well. American Idol isn’t the only time Trenyce Cobbins' name will be heard nation wide. Keep your eyes and ears open because the best is yet to come.
Six years ago Trenyce Cobbins, a nursing student at the University of Memphis, drove to nearby Nashville to audition for season two of a televised vocal talent show called American Idol. She camped outside for three days to secure her shot and quickly progressed up the audition ladder until she was dismissed from the show during the semi-finals. But Idol wasn’t done with her yet because by a twist of fate, she became one of the 12 Idol contestants when she was returned to the competition by former judge Paula Abdul in a Wild Card round. Trenyce wowed audiences with her ability to be soft and sweet as well as bold and powerful during her vocal delivery. Her hard work eventually landed her fifth place, which was high enough for her to be invited to go on tour. Her rendition of Al Green’s “Let’s Stay Together”was placed on the show’s compilation CD, and she completed the American Idol II Live Concert Tour that summer, singing Tina Turner's "Proud Mary" and Whitney Houston's "I Have Nothing." The 2003 American Idol tour was a huge success outselling the Justin Timberlake/Christina Aguilera tour that also occurred that summer. Following American Idol, Trenyce made several national television appearances on shows such as Live with Regis and Kelly, Extra, ET, Fox, NBC’sToday Show, TRL and CNN. Here in Memphis, she was honored by Shelby County Mayor A C Wharton and former City of Memphis Mayor W.W. Herenton with a certificate of achievement and a key to the city.
Immediately after American Idol, Trenyce relocated to Los Angeles hoping to further capitalize on her new-found fame. She was greeted with new and exciting stage opportunities that have allowed her to add the title of actress to her resume. Her first play was Not a Day Goes By with Jackee Harry and since then, Trenyce has performed in two Broadway musicals: Dreamgirls in the title role of Deena and Ain’t Misbehavin. She has done several independent projects such as In the Nick ofTyme with Morris Chestnut and Avant, which will be out on DVD November 10th. She has also starred in Soul Kittens Cabaret with Tatyana Ali, Monifah, and Syleena Johnson and Mama’s Sweet Potatoe Pie. She has even written, produced and starred in a sketch comedy show called LMAO with her good friend Tiara Williams.
Trenyce’s stream of work has been consistent; thanks to her talent and the positive reputation she has built. Referrals from co-workers, directors and producers, in addition to the hard work of herself and her managers keep the gigs coming, bills paid and her career moving forward. The travel schedule can be grueling, often traveling six to nine months with one production and her independent album has had to take a back seat to her travels. However,Trenyce is determined to see it come to fruition and has recently slowed down to record. If all goes as planned her debut project will be ready for release in 2010.
Now age 29, Trenyce is stronger, wiser and more focused than she has ever been, and she’ll be the first to tell you that the journey hasn’t been easy. “The music industry is probably the most abusive relationship I’ve ever been in. I don’t allow men to kick my butt, but this industry kicks my butt everyday. People are going to tell you ‘no’, no matter how talented you are. Yet this is something that when they say 'yes', you can later look at those checks and go, ‘Wow, I can pay my rent for six months.’ I’m doing what I love and that’s what makes it all worth it,” says the starlet.
All of the pieces seem to be falling into place. For those who thought she was done, check out the two new videos she released in September and you’ll quickly realize otherwise. “You Make Me Sick” and “Free to Fall,” were directed by newcomer Dwight Malik, who suggested that Trenyce do something different and release the videos before releasing the songs for radio rotation. Trenyce is more than pleased with the results. “The videos have had a great response. During the first three weeks, they had over 2,000 hits. I know it’s not 2 million but it let me know that there are still people who are interested in what I’m doing. You get to the point where you’re wondering if your light is fading or maybe you missed the boat. The positivity I received just kind of woke things up and reminded me that God is not through with me yet. I owe it to myself to see this thing through. I’m not petrified anymore. I’m just being and the music will reflect that.”
The Memphis native describes her untitled upcoming CD as a “throwback,” reminiscent of the times of old when you had to really be able to sing to get an album deal and the content was suitable for any age. “I haven’t released anything yet. I’m still fleshing out all the songs that will be on the album. I let a few people listen to it and they loved it along with their parents and their children. It’s just me being me.” That leads one to ask, who Is Trenyce? “I’m pretty eclectic. I’m very unpredictable, and as I progress people will see that. I don’t like to be confined, restricted or labeled. As an artist, I think I’m very honest with my fans. My live shows are good because I connect with the audience. It should be an experience. People should leave going, ‘That’s the best money I’ve ever spent!’ If you’re not going to give it a thousand percent then why do it at all?”
Trenyce is not where she wants to be but is in no way unhappy where she is. The lessons she has learned on this journey have been invaluable and her ambitious nature propels her to constantly produce new ideas to pursue. Her goals are vast and include music, television, theatre, production, philanthropy, a husband, children and more.
When speaking to Trenyce, nothing but encouraging words and positive energy seem flow from her person. She refuses to go “Hollywood” and act like she is too good to be of assistance to others. “My family keeps me grounded. I am almost promised a butt kicking if I ever change. I have received so many more blessings by giving to others,” she reveals. The day we met, I was devastated that my rental car had been towed by the Los Angeles Police Department causing me to rack up bills of over $350 to get it back. In an attempt to put a smile on my face she paid for our dinner and suggested we follow it with ice cream. “It’s the least I can do. You’ve had a rough day,” she soothed. “That’s not your welcome to Los Angeles. You’ve got a better one coming.” I predict a positive future for her as well. American Idol isn’t the only time Trenyce Cobbins' name will be heard nation wide. Keep your eyes and ears open because the best is yet to come.
FREE TO FALL from Dwight Gibson on Vimeo.
