10 Things You Should Know About Leah LaBelle

Pharrell and Jermaine Dupri introduce R&B's next big star.

10 Things You Should Know About Leah LaBelle  - Twenty-four-year-old R&B singer Leah LaBelle may be young but she can keep up with the best soul and neo soul singers of any era. To prove it, the YouTube sensation and former American Idol contestant debuted her sultry new single, "Sexify," on 106 & Park tonight. If you like her summery hit, then you should get acquainted with this rising BET Music Matters star.(Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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10 Things You Should Know About Leah LaBelle  - Twenty-four-year-old R&B singer Leah LaBelle may be young but she can keep up with the best soul and neo soul singers of any era. To prove it, the YouTube sensation and former American Idol contestant debuted her sultry new single, "Sexify," on 106 & Park tonight. If you like her summery hit, then you should get acquainted with this rising BET Music Matters star.(Photo: John Ricard/BET)

Oh, Canada! - LaBelle was born in Toronto to Bulgarian parents who were also musicians themselves. Before catching her big break in the music industry, Leah studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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Oh, Canada! - LaBelle was born in Toronto to Bulgarian parents who were also musicians themselves. Before catching her big break in the music industry, Leah studied at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

American Beauty - After her family moved to Seattle in 1997 Leah entered and won the Washington State Pre-teen Miss America Pageant and went on to become the first runner up in the National pageant. As you can see her talents expand well beyond the runway, but don’t think for a second she can’t walk that walk.(Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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American Beauty - After her family moved to Seattle in 1997 Leah entered and won the Washington State Pre-teen Miss America Pageant and went on to become the first runner up in the National pageant. As you can see her talents expand well beyond the runway, but don’t think for a second she can’t walk that walk.(Photo: John Ricard/BET)

Internet Star - Leah gained a lot of recognition through YouTube after posting numerous videos singing covers of classic and contemporary soul and R&B songs. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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Internet Star - Leah gained a lot of recognition through YouTube after posting numerous videos singing covers of classic and contemporary soul and R&B songs. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

Back Then - Keri Hilson invited LaBelle to become a background vocalist after hearing the sultry songstress deliver a powerful rendition of "Energy" on YouTube. Leah would later go on to sing backup for Jordin Sparks, Robin Thicke, the Jonas Brothers and Eric Benet. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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Back Then - Keri Hilson invited LaBelle to become a background vocalist after hearing the sultry songstress deliver a powerful rendition of "Energy" on YouTube. Leah would later go on to sing backup for Jordin Sparks, Robin Thicke, the Jonas Brothers and Eric Benet. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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Idol Dreams - During the third season of American Idol Leah was chosen by Paula Abdul as a wild-card selection. She ended up being a 12th-place finalist. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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Idol Dreams - During the third season of American Idol Leah was chosen by Paula Abdul as a wild-card selection. She ended up being a 12th-place finalist. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

Photo By Photo: John Ricard/BET

Same Damn Time - Leah is currently signed to Epic Records through a joint partnership with Pharrell Williams's i am OTHER and Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def brands. Both Pharrell and Jermaine showed up on the set of 106 & Park for her debut on the show. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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Same Damn Time - Leah is currently signed to Epic Records through a joint partnership with Pharrell Williams's i am OTHER and Jermaine Dupri’s So So Def brands. Both Pharrell and Jermaine showed up on the set of 106 & Park for her debut on the show. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

Photo By Photo: John Ricard/BET

Such a N.E.R.D. - Labelle met Pharell Williams during a backstage meet-and-greet at a 2007 concert for his band, N.E.R.D, in her hometown of Seattle. She reportedly told him, “I’m a singer and I just want to tell you that I’m a huge fan and you’re going to produce my album one day.”(Photo: John Ricard / BET).

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Told You So - LaBelle met Pharrell backstage at a N.E.R.D. concert when she was 17. According to her, she told the super producer that he would produce an album for her one day. That dream is well on its way to becoming reality. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

Sexy Thang - Leah debuted her first single, "Sexify," on 106 & Park. The summery jam is fun girl-talk anthem that’s a wonderful introduction to Leah’s soulful sound. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

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Sexy Thang - Leah debuted her first single, "Sexify," on 106 & Park. The summery jam is fun girl-talk anthem that’s a wonderful introduction to Leah’s soulful sound. (Photo: John Ricard/BET)

The Gospel According to Leah - After watching the 1993 film Sister Act 2 starring Whoopi Goldberg and Lauryn Hill, Leah joined a gospel choir in her hometown. It became her dream to belt out notes like the talented Rita Wilson (Hill’s character).

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The Gospel According to Leah - After watching the 1993 film Sister Act 2 starring Whoopi Goldberg and Lauryn Hill, Leah joined a gospel choir in her hometown. It became her dream to belt out notes like the talented Rita Wilson (Hill’s character).

So So Epic - In 2011 Labelle signed a combined deal with Epic Records, So So Def Records and I Am Other, under the tutelage of Antonio "L.A." Reid, Jermaine Dupri and Pharrell Williams. (Photo: John Ricard / BET).

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Cash Money Soldier - Leah’s first music concert was in 2000 when she and her friends attended the rowdy Cash Money/Ruff Ryders tour while it made a stop in her city. She was huge B.G. fan. Bling, Bling!