She's coming 'home'
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on July 11, 2014 1:46 PM
Majesty Rose is coming home.
Well, close to home.
Goldsboro's own "American Idol" contestant will get her chance Sunday to perform in her home state, as the show's Top 10 brings its "American Idol Live" tour to Durham.
The concert series began June 24 and, by its end, will have hit 40 venues across the country.
The only stop in North Carolina will be at the Durham Performing Arts Center Sunday night.
After that, there are about two dozen more concert dates, with the tour wrapping up Aug. 23.
"It's fun right now," Majesty said last week from Ohio, before her sixth show. "It's still new, but we're getting used to it.
"I can't wait for everybody to see it."
The Eastern Wayne High School graduate has one solo during the two-hour show, she said, but is featured in many group numbers.
Majesty earned a place on the tour by finishing in ninth place in the singing competition -- a contest ultimately won by Asheville native Caleb Johnson.
But singing in front of large crowds is not the only thing Majesty has enjoyed about the tour experience.
She has also used the opportunity to learn more about the music business from behind the scenes.
"I have really enjoyed the crew a lot," she said. "That's one thing I didn't think about -- all the people that set up the show. I'm talking about people that have worked with the likes of Carrie Underwood and we get to talk to them a lot.
"I really do want to learn a lot, because when I get home, I want to have a lot of stuff to do."
Sunday's show will be particularly meaningful, as she expects friends and family from her hometown to be in the audience.
"I know a lot of my friends are going to be there and my family," she said. "That's going to be special. I can't wait."
Beyond them, Majesty developed quite a following.
Her fans, the "Rosebuddies" -- a nickname that is a nod to the singer's penchant for wearing flowers in her hair -- have been asked to do the same at each concert.
But Majesty took the request a step further.
"I actually have made like 41 headbands. I wear one of my headbands in each show and give it out," she said, explaining that she throws it into the audience. "Hopefully, somebody will catch it at the Durham show. That's exciting."
The DPAC show starts at 7:30 p.m. with the doors opening at 6:30.
A marketing representative at the venue said roughly 2,000 people are expected at Sunday's show and there are still a limited number of tickets available.
But the $300 VIP packages, which include front row tickets, group photos and merchandise, access to sound check and the opportunity to attend a meet-and-greet with the performers, sold out quickly.