2/7/08
‘Dawg, you’re going to Hollywood!’ Manning natives on ‘American Idol’
By Jerriod Grizzle

JERRIOD GRIZZLE/Manning Times

Michelle and Jeffery Lampkin stand outside their high school alma mater, Manning High School. Michelle and Jeffery were instant hits walking in the school last week as several of their old teachers teased them and talked with them about what they are doing now and how they used to be.

From their over the top entrance filled with a fun and flamboyant flair, Jeffery Lampkin, 25 and his sister, Michelle, 26, impressed judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson of “American Idol” to continue to the “Hollywood” round of the competition.

Their first televised audition was filled with high antics, transitioning, into a smooth take on R. Kelly and Celion Dion’s late 1990’s, “I’m Your Angel,” struck an interesting chord on the three judges, who sent them packing to the land filled with swimming pools and movie stars.

Before their success on the semi-reality program though, Jeffery and Michelle were Manning natives, growing up in the Wilson community and enjoying their fair city on a day-by-day basis.

“My sister has always been my protector and growing up there were things to do but I would go out on my front porch steps and act out music videos that I had just seen on MTV or VH1,” said Jeffery Lampkin. “I always tell people I have no sense.”

Growing up, Jeffery said that many things were different than they are in the bright lights of Hollywood.

“You went to youth group and the friendships were close back in high school,” he said. “There was a lot of focus on family and the family taught in the school and was involved in the school.”

Jeffery and Michelle spent many Sundays in church and actively taking part in Sunday school.

And though the dynamic duo makes a pair to be seen, they are individuals, each having a distinct personality that they both like to show off.

“I’m his big sister and we discuss a lot of things but we each are different in many ways. Growing up Jeffery was interested in artists like Whitney Huston and I was more into rock,” said Michelle Lampkin.

Michelle, a graduate of Francis Marion University with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology said that she was quite the opposite from her brother growing up.

“I was the quiet shy type, I studied and went to school while Jeffery was loud and was often times the center of attention,” she said.

Michelle began cultivating her voice at age five.

“’Please Don’t Let Them Hurt Your Children’ was the first song I remember that I sang,” she said.

When Michelle left home for college, she began to get more outspoken and participated in the college gospel choir and other ensembles.

When asked what she wants to do after “Idol,” her response is quick and to the point.

“I want to explore different outlets, write songs and poetry and do some modeling,” she said. “I am also aimed at getting my master’s degree in pharmacy.”

Jeffery’s life, on the other hand, has quite a different route than his sister and said he is proud of what he has become.

“No matter what preconceived notions people may have about me, I love myself and wouldn’t want to be anyone else,” he said.

Jeffery said he acted out in class a lot in high school because of his bouts with Attention Deficient Disorder (ADD).

Expelled twice from high school and in the Department of Juvenile Justice for a period of time, he admitted that his behavior during that time did not always reflect who he wanted to be.

“My behavior as a teenager was erratic at best; I acted out but it was a form of negative expression,” he said.

These days Jeffery is an accomplished musician and he is the minister of music at two churches.

“My future includes completing my master’s degree, acting, teaching college and being and ambassador for Christ, spreading His glory to many people. It is because of Him that we are who we are today,” he said.

The two said that since high school and college they have remained close as both contestants and siblings but that family comes first.

“Right now we compliment one another but in Hollywood it is a totally different ball game,” they said. “We were raised to be close. We pick on one another but no one else can.”

The siblings, who were adopted, share a lot in common.

“We were adopted but we couldn’t imagine a better family than we have. It is full of love,” said Jeffery.

Michelle admitted that sometimes she does wonder whatever happened to their biological parents.

“I wonder sometimes who is watching, and who is out there, if someone says they look a lot like an aunt and uncle. Something like that,” she said.

Both have left an incredible mark on the world of music already and in their own right have become an overnight success story and the subject of many conversations pieces, blogging sites, radio shows, TV programs, and on-line chat rooms.

“I walk into the store and people automatically scream ‘You’re Jeffery’ or I answer the phone and someone recognizes my voice,” said Jeffery.

They braved the Coliseum in Charleston several times before appearing on the “American Idol” show.

When producers learned that Jeffery and Michelle were brother and sister, they were asked to sing together for TV in front of the judges.

For now, Jeffery, who lives in Newberry and Michelle, who lives in Rock Hill, go about their daily lives until they get the call back to appear on more episodes to find out who the winner of the competition will be. Could either of them be the next “American Idol?”

Stay tuned!