Jasmine Murray
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Jasmine S. Murray (born December 12, 1991) is an American singer and beauty pageant titleholder. She is best known for being a finalist on the eighth season of ''
American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American Music competition, singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle (company), Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It a ...
'' where she placed 12th–13th alongside Jorge Núñez. She also competed in the
Miss America's Outstanding Teen Miss America's Teen is an American scholarship pageant. It is the sister program to the Miss America Opportunity, and it aims to "promote scholastic achievement, creative accomplishment, healthy living and community involvement for America's teen ...
pageant in 2007. Her musical influences include
Christina Aguilera Christina María Aguilera ( , ; born December 18, 1980) is an American singer-songwriter, actress and television personality. Recognized as Cultural impact of Christina Aguilera, an influential figure in music and having received Public imag ...
. On July 12, 2014, Murray was crowned
Miss Mississippi Miss Mississippi is a scholarship beauty contest, pageant and a preliminary of Miss America. The contest began in 1934, has been held in Vicksburg, Mississippi, Vicksburg since 1958, and provides more money than any other scholarship pageant in ...
2014.


Early life

Jasmine Murray was born in
Columbus, Mississippi Columbus is a city in and the county seat of Lowndes County, Mississippi, Lowndes County, on the eastern border of Mississippi, United States, located primarily east, but also north and northeast of the Tombigbee River, which is also part of the ...
and attended Columbus High School, but later moved to Starkville with her family. She is the daughter of Lisa Murray and is the youngest of five children. Her mother's first husband died of a brain aneurysm in 1978. Her parents divorced when she was a toddler, and her father lives outside the state of Mississippi. According to the
audition An audition is a sample performance by an actor, singer, musician, dancer or other performer. It typically involves the performer displaying their talent through a previously memorized and rehearsed solo piece or by performing a work or piece gi ...
segments, she is eleven years younger than the fourth. At the time of the pregnancy, her mother Lisa Murray was working the night shift at the Weyerhaeuser plant in Columbus, Mississippi, and was lethargic and noticed her body swelling. Lisa Murray went to the plant's on-site clinic, but nurses rushed her to the hospital. She suffered a severe form of
pre-eclampsia Pre-eclampsia is a multi-system disorder specific to pregnancy, characterized by the new onset of hypertension, high blood pressure and often a significant amount of proteinuria, protein in the urine or by the new onset of high blood pressure a ...
when pregnant with Jasmine, and the doctors expected neither of them to survive the pregnancy. Shortly after birth, Jasmine remained in the hospital for nearly a month fighting for her life. She began to sing at age 3. Her family told her that once they were in a vehicle, she would start singing with the radio, and that describes why she is passionate about singing. She has also performed mini-concerts with the Murray family. Before her ''American Idol'' run, she competed in the ''Miss America's Outstanding Teen'' scholarship pageant and was a student at the Mississippi School of the Arts, where she was continuing her education until she graduated in 2010.


Career


''Miss America's Outstanding Teen''

Murray competed in the Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen pageant in 2006 where she won the activewear preliminary award and placed fourth runner-up. The following year, competing as Miss Houston/North Central, she won the Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen title. In August of that year she represented Mississippi in the Miss America's Outstanding teen pageant, the teen version of
Miss America Miss America is an annual competition that is open to women from the United States between the ages of 18 and 28. Originating in 1921 as a "bathing beauty revue", the contest is judged on competition segments with scoring percentages: ''Priva ...
, where she placed tenth. In 2008 she won first place for the pageant's Mentor Club Scholarship, an opportunity open to former contestants.


''American Idol''

She auditioned for the eighth season of ''
American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American Music competition, singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle (company), Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It a ...
'' in
Jacksonville, Florida Jacksonville ( ) is the most populous city proper in the U.S. state of Florida, located on the Atlantic coast of North Florida, northeastern Florida. It is the county seat of Duval County, Florida, Duval County, with which the City of Jacksonv ...
on a whim after traveling to
Orlando, Florida Orlando ( ) is a city in and the county seat of Orange County, Florida, United States. The city proper had a population of 307,573 at the 2020 census, making it the fourth-most populous city in Florida behind Jacksonville, Florida, Jacksonville ...
to attend the 2008 Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant. Holding number 84122, she sang " Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie. During Hollywood group night, her group, dubbed "Team Diva", performed "
Mercy Mercy (Middle English, from Anglo-French , from Medieval Latin , "price paid, wages", from Latin , "merchandise") is benevolence, forgiveness, and kindness in a variety of ethical, religious, social, and legal contexts. In the social and le ...
" by Duffy, but the rest of her group was cut. She then sang "
Love Song A love song is a song about love, falling in love, heartbreak after a breakup, and the feelings that these experiences bring. Love songs can be found in a variety of different music genres. They can come in various formats, from sad and emotion ...
" by
Sara Bareilles Sara Beth Bareilles ( ; born December 7, 1979) is an American singer, songwriter, musician, and actress. She has sold over three million albums and over 15 million singles in the United States. Bareilles has earned various accolades, including ...
, but the judges were not so impressed with Randy Jackson stating that he would not have chosen the song for her and suggested that she should have sung a song by
Rihanna Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, businesswoman, and actress. One of the List of music artists by net worth, wealthiest musicians in the world, List of awards and nominations received by Rihanna, her vario ...
. Murray was originally eliminated in the second semi-final, but was brought back for the wild card round and the judges chose her to join the Top 13. During the top 13 week, she performed " I'll Be There" by
The Jackson 5 The Jackson 5, later known as the Jacksons, are an American pop band composed of members of the Jackson family. The group was formed in Gary, Indiana in 1964, and originally consisted of brothers Jackie, Ti ...
, with
Simon Cowell Simon Phillip Cowell (; born 7 October 1959) is an English television personality and businessman. He has judged on the British television talent competition shows ''Pop Idol'' (2001–2003), ''The X Factor (British TV series), The X Factor UK ...
giving a minor critique that it was "a little bit robotic at times." She was one of the first two contestants to be eliminated in the finals along with Jorge Núñez and was the second wild card finalist to be eliminated in the first episode of the finals in ''American Idol'' history, after
Leah LaBelle Leah LaBelle Vladowski (September 8, 1986 – January 31, 2018) was an American singer. She rose to prominence in 2004 as a contestant on the third season of ''American Idol'', placing twelfth in the season finals. In 2007, LaBelle began reco ...
. As a result, she missed out on the annual summer tour. ''
American Idol ''American Idol'' is an American Music competition, singing competition television series created by Simon Fuller, produced by Fremantle (company), Fremantle North America and 19 Entertainment, and distributed by Fremantle North America. It a ...
s African-American viewer ratings dropped by 28% in the episode following Murray's elimination. Murray was the only contestant from Mississippi to become a finalist in ''American Idol'' history, until being joined by Skylar Laine in season 11, who is her favorite of that season. Among finalists, she is a close friend of Alexis Grace and
Allison Iraheta Allison Iraheta (; born April 27, 1992) is an American singing, singer who was the fourth place finalist on the American Idol (season 8), eighth season of ''American Idol''. Prior to ''Idol'', Iraheta won the Telemundo competition ''Quinceañera: ...
.


Performances/Results

* Note 1: Murray was initially eliminated, as she did not receive enough votes to advance immediately to the Top 12. However, on the March 4 results show,
Kara DioGuardi Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi ( ; December 9, 1970) is an American songwriter, record producer, music publisher, A&R executive, and singer. She primarily writes music in the pop rock genre. She has worked with many popular artists; sales of albums ...
selected her as one of the 8 Wild Card contenders.
* Note 2: It was never revealed between Murray and Jorge Núñez who was the bottom vote-getter, though Murray was announced as the first to be eliminated.


Post-''Idol''

Murray has been on ''
The Ellen DeGeneres Show ''The Ellen DeGeneres Show'' is an American first-run syndicated talk show that was hosted by Ellen DeGeneres. The show ran for nineteen seasons from September 8, 2003, to May 26, 2022, in which it broadcast 3,339 episodes. It was produced by ...
'' and ''
Live with Regis and Kelly ''Live with Kelly and Mark'' (or simply ''Live'') is an American Broadcast syndication, syndicated breakfast television, morning talk show hosted by Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos. Executive produced by Michael Gelman, the ''Live with...'' show ...
'' with also-cast-off contestant Jorge Núñez. While missing out on the '' American Idols Live! Tour 2009'', Murray also performed
Beyoncé Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. With a career spanning over three decades, she has established herself as one of the most Cultural impact of Beyoncé, ...
song
Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" is a song by American singer Beyoncé from her third studio album, '' I Am... Sasha Fierce'' (2008). Columbia Records released "Single Ladies" as a single on October 8, 2008, as a double A-side alongside " If I ...
at the 2009 Mary Kay Seminar. Later during the time of the tour, she performed the Jordin Sparks song "Battlefield", the
Rihanna Robyn Rihanna Fenty ( ; born February 20, 1988) is a Barbadian singer, businesswoman, and actress. One of the List of music artists by net worth, wealthiest musicians in the world, List of awards and nominations received by Rihanna, her vario ...
song "Unfaithful", and the Fergie song " Big Girls Don't Cry" at the Delta Fair in
Memphis, Tennessee Memphis is a city in Shelby County, Tennessee, United States, and its county seat. Situated along the Mississippi River, it had a population of 633,104 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List of municipalities in Tenne ...
. Fellow season 8 finalist Alexis Grace also performed there. Murray did performances at the 2009 Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant. Since her stint on ''American Idol'', she is a popular attraction at pageants and sporting events. She worked with seasoned songwriters in
Nashville, Tennessee Nashville, often known as Music City, is the capital and List of municipalities in Tennessee, most populous city in the U.S. state of Tennessee. It is the county seat, seat of Davidson County, Tennessee, Davidson County in Middle Tennessee, locat ...
. Murray performed in the national anthem at a
Michigan State Michigan State University (Michigan State or MSU) is a public land-grant research university in East Lansing, Michigan, United States. It was founded in 1855 as the Agricultural College of the State of Michigan, the first of its kind in the ...
basketball game. On February 12, 2012, Murray was crowned Miss Spirit of the South 2012. She announced it on Twitter and posted a photograph of herself wearing the new crown. She also announced that she would compete in Miss Mississippi 2012, held on June 27–30. She won first runner up in the contest. In April 2012, she visited and performed at Batson Children's Hospital in
Jackson, Mississippi Jackson is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Mississippi, most populous city of the U.S. state of Mississippi. The city sits on the Pearl River (Mississippi–Louisiana), Pearl River and is locate ...
and performed three songs for patients in the hospital's lobby. On October 26, 2012, Murray was crowned Miss Mississippi State University.


Miss Mississippi

In July 2014, Murray participated in her third Miss Mississippi pageant. Competing as Miss Riverland, she was crowned Miss Mississippi 2014 on Saturday, July 12, winning a $10,000 scholarship. Murray's platform is "13 Going on 30," aimed at teaching young girls to embrace their age. She competed at the
Miss America 2015 Miss America 2015 was the 88th Miss America pageant, held at the Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on September 14, 2014. Nina Davuluri of New York crowned Kira Kazantsev of New York as her successor at the end of the event, making i ...
pageant on September 14 in
Atlantic City, New Jersey Atlantic City, sometimes referred to by its initials A.C., is a Jersey Shore seaside resort city (New Jersey), city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, Atlantic County, in the U.S. state of New Jersey. Atlantic City comprises the second half of ...
and placed in the top 10.


Discography


Singles


Albums


EPs

* ''Jasmine Murray EP'' (September 29, 2017)


References


External links


''American Idol'' Official Website
(owned by
Fox Interactive Media Fox Sports Interactive Media, formerly known as News Corp. Digital Media and Fox Interactive Media and Fox Sports Digital Media, is a subsidiary of Fox Sports Media Group which operates Fox Sports' online properties in the United States. Histo ...
)
Miss Mississippi Outstanding Teen Scholarship Pageant
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Murray, Jasmine 1991 births Living people American child singers American Idol participants Miss America 2015 delegates Miss America's Outstanding Teen delegates Miss Mississippi winners People from Columbus, Mississippi People from Starkville, Mississippi Singers from Mississippi 21st-century African-American women singers 21st-century American women singers African-American beauty pageant winners