54-year-old Lillie McCloud, was a showstopper on the “X Factor’ Wednesday’s season premiere when she sang her rendition of Cece Winans’ “Alabaster Box.” [Watch below.] After her performance judge Kelly Rowland asked, “Where have you been hiding,”
According to the Hollywood Reporter, Lillie McCloud is actually Nicole McCloud, an R&B singer with some success in the music industry in the ’80s and ’90s,
On the microblogging site, Rayne McCloud (Lillie McCloud daughter) revealed “My Mother Nicole McCloud the biggest inspiration for my creating #TNM Nonprofit #MusicFAM has just performed on #XFactor and I am in tears!”
McCloud has performed alongside Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen and Kool and the Gang. Also McCloud has had a few top 10 hits on the U.S. dance charts, first in 1985 with “Don’t You Want My Love” and again in 1994 with the No. 3 charting “Runnin’ Away.” In 2002, she struck once more with the song “Search’n,” which also earned her a nomination for the International Dance Awards.
McCloud’s daughter defends her mom against accusations of lying about her professional past and presenting herself as a mom and grandmother who never got a break.
She posted, “This is not about not using ones [sic] gift at all. My mother sings to eat and always has. DISCOVERED! LOL did you know her before tonight? She opted of [sic] that! and trust me it wasn’t for lack of ability! I know better than anyone the opportunities which where [sic] forfeited for me. I know the WORLD should have seem [sic] my mother way before this evening! ‘Where have you been?’ was asked tonight! I’ll tell you singing where ever singers can get work. NOT on international television before millions!” If someone with a voice like my moms [sic] is not a superstar already. That’s pretty unlucky. Artists have to keep trying! People will throw them bones here and there & life may slow them down, the industry will bite, and steal (ALL of this has happened to Lille [sic]) but if they want to make it big for real! They should never ever give up!”
