Reality TV Show Enables Legendary Diva To Aid Struggling Los Angeles Charity

A legendary singer continues her support of the disenfranchised, with donation of tv show winnings.

(PRWEB) July 5, 2005 -- Legendary Grammy Award-winning diva Thelma Houston (Dont Leave Me This Way") was recently a big winner on NBC-TVs hit Summer show, Hit Me Baby One More Time," with two hot performances-one, her world-renowned hit single and the other, a smoking rendition of the Alicia Keys hit, Fallin."

The hard-working Houston, who has performed consistently since breaking out onto the music scene, appeared on NBCs new reality music competition, which is an adaptation of a British telly favorite (showcasing beloved performers of past big hits) on June 23rd, and was voted the audiences favorite. The win netted Houston a $20,000 donation in her name to the charity of her choice. That charity, which had just been the topic of a feature in the Los Angeles Times the previous weekend, due to the critical financial woes which threaten to close them down (and which Ms. Houston happened to read, putting them uppermost in her mind), is the Minority AIDS Project of Los Angeles, founded in 1985 as the first AIDS group in the United States to focus on African-Americans, headed by the Reverend Carl Bean. Of the much-needed surprise donation, the appreciative Reverend Bean said Ms. Houston exemplifies love, and that love is really unconditional; shes able to offer herself to the disenfranchised, those who are invisible to many others in our society." Thelma is no stranger to humanitarianism; she continually lends her ongoing support to various efforts towards battling the appalling AIDS epidemic. Hopefully, this television show donation will be the beginning of this important charitys fiscal recovery.

The lovely, soulful diva, whose performances delighted the studio audience, has generated 15 albums throughout her illustrious career. She also holds the distinction of being Motown Records first solo female artist to win the coveted Grammy Award for Best R&B Female Vocal Performance." Her classic gold song, Dont Leave Me This Way," has become one of the defining songs of the disco era, and most recently enjoyed a new life on the Miss Congeniality 2" movie soundtrack.

Also an accomplished actress, Ms. Houston appeared in many movies, such as Oprah Winfreys Beloved," And God Created Woman," and has just landed a role in the anticipated upcoming comedy film called Dirty Laundry." Thelma has made numerous guest appearances on episodic television shows and toured in the musical Fame."

Ms. Houston is currently in the studio recording an album of classic" songs. Also on the backburner is possibly a jazz and gospel album, to remind listeners of her musical roots and diversity. Shes also dipping into fashion design-she created the dress she wore for her first song on the NBC show, along with a line of customized T-Shirts." This accomplished diva says that I appreciate my career, and sometimes it really feels like Im just getting started."

For more on Thelma Houston, log onto www.ThelmaHouston.com.

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