Lisa Tucker

Lisa Tucker is an American singer, songwriter, and actress.Her first break came at the age of 10 when she landed the coveted role as Young Nala in Disney's Los Angeles production of The Lion King.

Tucker was one of the top ten finalists in the fifth season of American Idol.As a top ten finisher, she won the opportunity to perform in the American Idol Tour, which lasted 3 months and consisted of 60 concerts across the country.After the tour, Tucker recorded a duet with Dionne Warwick on Warwick's album, My Friends & Me.Shortly after, Tucker landed recurring television roles on shows which included Nickelodeon's Zoey 101, The Game, Vampire Diaries, and The O.C., where she played herself.Tucker was also featured in the movie, The Hustle.

Tucker is planning her new music release and her move to Nashville in 2020.

Early life and career beginnings

Tucker was born in Newport Beach, California to Stanley and Eleanor Tucker, and raised in Anaheim, California, along with her two brothers: Stanley III and William.

Tucker showed a talent for singing shortly after she began to talk.She began piano lessons at 8 years of age.Tucker participated in school activities such as concerts and plays where her talent could develop.At nine years of age she was encouraged by her parents to audition for a production of The Little Princess at the Orange County Children's Theater (OCCT). Despite the fact it was her first audition, she landed a lead role.Tucker was selected to sing the national anthem at an Anaheim Angels baseball game at age nine.

At age ten, Tucker auditioned for the role of young Nala in the musical production of The Lion King. It was her first paying job and Tucker said, "I would have done it for free!" Tucker was honored to be selected to play the role at the "press release" and opening night performances.Resident director of the The Lion King, Frank Lombardi, wrote about Tucker: "Her talent is extraordinary.So much so that upon realizing her skills as a singer, one of our composers added a complex vocal arrangement to one of the original songs.Lisa sang with a simplicity and beauty that made it seem effortless, even though it actually took great skill and concentration."

When Tucker was 13, she auditioned for Star Search and made it to the finals.Tucker attended La Palma, California's John F. Kennedy High School, graduating in 2006.

American Idol

At the age of 16, she auditioned for the fifth season of American Idol in Denver, Colorado with One Moment in Time by Whitney Houston where she amazed the judges, with Simon Cowell declaring, "Wow.I think the best 16-year-old we've ever had throughout this whole competition."Later, the judges made a unanimous decision to put her through to the season's final 24. America voted her through to the top 12. While she was on American Idol she attended high-school classes with former Idol finalists Paris Bennett and Kevin Covais. Tucker was eliminated on March 29, 2006, after being in the bottom 3 with Katharine McPhee and Ace Young.Tucker earned 10th place, allowing her to perform on the Idol tour singing Elton John's Your Song and Someone Saved My Life Tonight on piano.

Post-Idol

Tucker has performed at numerous local events in Orange and Los Angeles counties including singing the national anthem at Lakers, Clippers, Angels, and Mighty Ducks games. She sang on the city of Anaheim float in the 118th Tournament of Roses parade.Tucker was invited to tour the U.S. Air Force bases in Europe to promote the kickoff of the annual USAFE Services Xtreme Summer Program.

She made a guest appearance on The O.C. playing herself in the prom episode. She can also be seen in seasons 3 and 4 of the teen Nickelodeon network show Zoey 101 as Lisa Perkins; her first appearance was in the episode "Michael Loves Lisa", which aired on January 7, 2007.In August 2007, Tucker was featured on the reality TV show "Dr. 90210" as the singing instructor for Dr. Rey's children. She was cast for the pilot of the FOX series Born in the USA (TV series), also by 19 Entertainment. She had a recurring role on the CW series, The Game, where she played Pucci Wright in the third season.She also had a recurring role as Greta Martin in the CW series, Vampire Diaries. Tucker sang "Then Came You" with Dionne Warwick on Warwick's new album, My Friends & Me.

Tucker performed as a special guest at Lord Rhaburn's Music Awards Show in Belize.Her mother is a Belize native.