When Thelma Houston sang the song “Don’t Leave Me This Way” on Wednesday night’s “American Idol” results show, she reinstated her singing talents. She had received the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance in the year 1978, for the same song. She was successful in setting the stage on fire and made the somber atmosphere of “American Idol” bursting with enthusiasm.

Thelma Houston has come a long way from being born the daughter of a cotton picking mother. She grew up with her sisters in Long Beach, California. After her marriage she joined the Art Reynolds Singers gospel group and from there she associated herself with the Dunhill Records as a recording artist. Since then there has been no looking back for this seasoned artist.

On the “American Idol” stage she was able to prove that even after 30 years since her commercial peak, she is still going strong. The struggle which she went through is proof enough of her tenacity and her fierce determination to conquer the world with her music. After quite a few setbacks she was able to capture the topmost position on the Billboard Hot 100 and R&B charts with her song “Don’t Leave Me This Way” in the year 1977.

Thelma Houston’s stint in acting began in the 1980s when she made guest appearances in shows like “Simon & Simon”. Thelma’s released her first album “A Woman’s Touch” in 2007 which has songs by famous male singers like Marvin Gaye, Sting, Luther Vandross and many more.