Rachel Potter

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{{Infobox musical artist

| name = Rachel Potter

| image =

| caption =

| birth_name = Rachel Lindsey Potter

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|08|21}}

| birth_place = New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.{{cite web|title=Rachel Potter - "God doesn't put dreams in people's hearts if he doesn't intend to make them a reality."|url=http://rachelpottermusic.com/?members=rachel-potter}}

| instrument = {{flatlist|

Vocals
guitar
ukulele

}}

| genre = {{flatlist|

| occupation = Singer

| years_active = 2002–present

| label = {{flatlist|

Narrow Door (2002–2003)
Black is the New Pink (2014-2015)}}

| associated_acts = {{flatlist|

Voice Play
Steel Union}}

| website = {{URL|www.rachelpottermusic.com}}

| image_size = 400

}}

Rachel Lindsey Potter (born August 21, 1984) is an American singer and actress. She is most known for her performances on Broadway as Wednesday Addams in The Addams Family, the Mistress in the Tony-nominated revival of Evita, and being a contestant on season 3 of The X Factor.

Early life

Potter was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, but was raised in Seminole, Florida.

Potter has lived in Orlando, Florida, but currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee. At the age of 12, Rachel began writing original songs to cope with her mother being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. While working at Walt Disney World, she completed a bachelor's degree in public relations and advertising from the University of Central Florida in 2008. After graduating from college, she moved to New York where she got a job singing in a wedding band.

Broadway career

In 2003, Potter moved to Orlando, Florida.

Potter was cast as Ariel in the Voyage of the Little Mermaid. She subsequently performed as Belle in Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage, Nemo in Finding Nemo: The Musical, and a slew of other shows at Disney. In 2008, she made it in the Top 15 in the MTV reality show Legally Blonde: The Musical – The Search for Elle Woods.

Potter played Wednesday Addams in the musical version of The Addams Family. Later on, Potter was cast in the 2012 revival of Evita, in which she portrayed Peron's mistress, alongside Ricky Martin, Elena Roger, and Michael Cerveris.

Recording career

Potter began her career as a recording artist at age 16 when she was signed to contemporary Christian label Narrow Door Records. In 2002, she released "Come Back Home", an album of 10 of her own songs.

She appeared in the second national tour of the musical Wicked, as a part of the ensemble, in addition to being an understudy for Glinda. While on tour, she reconnected with Justin York, an old friend who had become a Nashville musician, producer and songwriter, known for his work with Nashville-bred rock band Paramore. Potter released her first EP, Live the Dream.

She raised funds through a Kickstarter campaign that surpassed its original financial goal. The "Help Me Live the Dream" campaign successfully exceeded its original financial goal through contributions from a broad range of supporters. The official music video for "Live the Dream" was released on October 17, 2012, on Potter's channel.{{cite web|title=LIVE THE DREAM - Rachel Potter - OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO| website=YouTube | date=17 October 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_826618&feature=iv&src_vid=spa88tPh2HE&v=cT7JaXwHPA4|accessdate=October 17, 2012}} Potter performed on CBS New York singing "Hold On To Me".{{cite web|title=Evita's Rachel Potter Performs from her Solo Album on CBS New York|url=http://rachelpottermusic.com/?p=466}}

Potter began performing a series of concerts at Joe's Pub to promote Live the Dream, she performed with Constantine Maroulis,{{cite web|title=Rachel Potter Goes Solo at Joe's Pub, with Special Guest Constantine Maroulis; Reba McEntire Attends|url=http://rachelpottermusic.com/?p=469}} Ricky Martin, Elena Roger, Michael Cerveris, The Vanity Belles, and The Country Band.{{cite web|title=Rachel Potter, Constantine Maroulis Bring LIVE THE DREAM to Joe's Pub!|url=http://rachelpottermusic.com/?p=471}}{{cite web|title=Rachel Potter Returns to Joe's Pub 7/29 with The Vanity Belles, Laura Osnes, and Katie Thompson|url=http://rachelpottermusic.com/?p=476}} Potter's single 'The Verdict' was nominated for Best Country Song in the Independent Music Awards, despite not having been officially released at the time.{{cite web|title="The Verdict" Nominated for an IMA!|url=http://rachelpottermusic.com/?p=652}} Potter was featured in mashup of Taylor Swift's "I Knew You Were Trouble" and Justin Bieber's "As Long As You Love Me" by VoicePlay, an Orlando-based 5-member a cappella group{{cite web|title=1. I Knew You Were Trouble/As Long As You Love Me - Cover|url=http://rachelpottermusic.com/?albums=i-knew-you-were-troubleas-long-as-you-love-me-cover}} as well as VoicePlay's cover of "Chandelier"Chandelier - VoicePlay feat. Rachel Potter and "The Phantom of the Opera".Phantom of the Opera - VoicePlay feat. Rachel Potter

In 2014, Potter launched a crowdfunded campaign using Pledge Music to fund her most recent album, Not So Black and White. She released the first single, "Boomerang," a duet with Anthem Lights member Joey Stamper, in October 2014. The full album was released on March 3, 2015. CMT featured her music videos for "Boomerang" and "Tail Lights" on their CMT Pure Channel in the "New Artist Spotlight".

Continuing her work with Disney, Potter sang the theme song "Journey to Fantasy Springs" for the opening of Fantasy Springs, the 8th themed port at Tokyo DisneySea, in 2024.

=''The X Factor''=

{{quote box

|width = 33em

|border = 1px

|bgcolor=#FDDDE4

|quote = One of the best things about being on The X Factor is that so many people watched my video, and people were commenting, saying "I would buy her album even though I don't listen to country." That, to me, is the biggest compliment. Because I think I do have that crossover feel, and I hope that people who don't usually listen to that genre will be attracted to my sound.

|align = right

|source = — Potter, on X Factor journey.{{cite web|last=Wayne|first=Julia|title=X Factor 2013's Rachel Potter on Broadway, Disney, and Ricky Martin — Exclusive|url=http://www.wetpaint.com/x-factor/articles/2013-10-03-rachel-potter-over-25s-exclusive|website=Wet Paint|accessdate=October 3, 2013}}

}}

In 2013 Potter auditioned for the third season of The X Factor{{cite web |url=https://sycofme.etribez.com/static/specificproject/sycofme/xf3open/xfRulesS3.pdf |title=Registration and Audition Rules |website=The X Factor USA |date=January 23, 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926213636/https://sycofme.etribez.com/static/specificproject/sycofme/xf3open/xfRulesS3.pdf |archivedate=September 26, 2013 }} with "Somebody to Love". Potter advanced to the final 40 acts in The X Factor's 'Over 25' category, mentored by Kelly Rowland.{{cite web|url=http://www.thexfactorusa.com/recaps/episode/meet-the-x-factor-s-new-final-40- |title=Meet THE X FACTOR's New Final 40 |website=The X Factor USA |date=2013-09-26 |accessdate=2013-10-27}} Potter sang "Irreplaceable" and was placed in chair 4. Since she was not switched out, she made the final four of "Over 25" category along with Lillie McCloud, Jeff Gutt and James Kenney.{{cite web|url=http://www.thexfactorusa.com/news/article/song-list-beggin-beggin-you |title=Song List: Beggin, Beggin You |website=The X Factor USA |date=2013-10-02 |accessdate=2013-10-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thexfactorusa.com/news/article/song-list-angels-cant-save-you-now |title=Song List: Angels Can't Save You Now |website=The X Factor USA |date=2013-10-03 |accessdate=2013-10-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thexfactorusa.com/news/article/song-list-cowboys-take-me-away |title=Song List: Cowboys Take Me Away |website=The X Factor USA |date=2013-10-09 |accessdate=2013-10-27}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thexfactorusa.com/news/article/song-list-wishin-for-a-chair |title=Song List: Wishin' For A Chair |website=The X Factor USA |date=2013-10-10 |accessdate=2013-10-27}}

During the first live results show, on October 29, Potter sang "I Hope You Dance" receiving positive reviews; Kelly described Rachel as a "powerhouse and a delight", Paulina says Rachel has a "beautiful tone" and is original, describing the performance as brilliant from beginning to end and Simon said the song choice was perfect and she was even better than Lillie.{{cite web|last=Wightman|first=Catriona|title='The X Factor' USA recap: The live shows begin, but four say goodbye|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/s141/the-x-factor-us/news/a527451/the-x-factor-usa-recap-the-live-shows-begin-but-four-say-goodbye.html|website=Digital Spy|date=October 30, 2013|accessdate=October 30, 2013}}

She was the first to be chosen to be in the final three along with Jeff Gutt and Lillie McCloud.{{cite web|url=http://www.thexfactorusa.com/news/article/song-list-the-fight-to-the-top-12 |title=The X Factor On Fox - News |website=The X Factor USA |date= |accessdate=2013-11-14}}

During week two, Potter sang "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)" which received mixed reviews. Demi Lovato praised her energy, while Simon Cowell criticized aspects of the performance.{{cite web|last=Fienberg|first=Daniel|title=Recap: 'The X Factor' Season 3 Top 12 Performances - Motown Night: What is the twist Simon Cowell has been teasing?|url=http://www.hitfix.com/the-fien-print/recap-the-x-factor-season-3-top-12-performances-motown-night|website=Hitfix|date=25 August 2023 |accessdate=November 6, 2013 }}{{cite news |title=Gossips Inside |url=https://gossipsinside.com/ |access-date=6 August 2023}}{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/TheXFactorUSA/status/397879975699046400 |title=Twitter / TheXFactorUSA: TOMORROW NIGHT 8/7c on FOX |publisher=Twitter.com |date= |accessdate=2013-11-08}}

Due to graphics errors in which incorrect voting numbers were displayed on screen during the performance recap, there was no elimination that week; instead all the acts performed their "Save Me" songs on Thursday night and a public re-vote was conducted after the show.

Potter sang "Anyway" by Martina McBride.{{cite web|url=http://www.thexfactorusa.com/news/article/song-list-oops-were-doing-it-again |title=The X Factor On Fox - News |website=The X Factor USA |date= |accessdate=2013-11-14}} During week 3, Potter sang "Alone" by Heart, gaining positive reviews.{{cite web|url=http://www.thexfactorusa.com/news/article/the-x-report-oops-were-doing-it-again |title=The X Factor On Fox - News |website=The X Factor USA |date= |accessdate=2013-11-14}} Potter fell to the bottom two alongside Khaya Cohen, where she was eliminated after only Rowland voted against Cohen. However, Potter received more votes than Cohen meaning if the result went to deadlock, Potter would've been saved.

Performances on The X Factor

Rachel performed the following songs on The X Factor:

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
scope="col" \|Show ! scope="col" \|Theme ! scope="col" \|Song ! scope="col" \|Original artist ! scope="col" \|Order ! scope="col" \|Result
scope="row" \|Audition \|None \|"Somebody to Love" \|Queen \| N/A \| Through to Four-Chair Challenge
scope="row" \|Four-chair challenge \|None \|"Irreplaceable" \|Beyoncé \|4 \|Advanced to Live Shows (Top 16)
scope="row" \| Week 1 \|None \|"I Hope You Dance" \|Lee Ann Womack \|11 \|Safe
scope="row" rowspan="2" \| Week 2 \|Motown Night \|"This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)" \|The Isley Brothers \|2 \|Safe
Save Me Songs \|"Anyway" \|Martina McBride \|2 \|Safe
style="background:lightblue;" ! scope="row" rowspan="2" \| Week 3 \|80s Night \|"Alone" \|"Heart" \|8 \|Bottom Two
style="background:pink;" \|Final Showdown \|"From This Moment On" \|Shania Twain \|2 \|Eliminated

class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"

scope="col" |Show

! scope="col" |Theme

! scope="col" |Song

! scope="col" |Original artist

! scope="col" |Order

! scope="col" |Result

scope="row" |Audition

|None

|"Somebody to Love"

|Queen

| N/A

| Through to Four-Chair Challenge

scope="row" |Four-chair challenge

|None

|"Irreplaceable"

|Beyoncé

|Advanced to Live Shows (Top 16)

scope="row" | Week 1

|None

|"I Hope You Dance"

|Lee Ann Womack

|11

|Safe

scope="row" rowspan="2" | Week 2

|Motown Night

|"This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)"

|The Isley Brothers

|Safe

Save Me Songs

|"Anyway"

|Martina McBride

|Safe

style="background:lightblue;"

! scope="row" rowspan="2" | Week 3

|80s Night

|"Alone"

|"Heart"

|Bottom Two

style="background:pink;"

|Final Showdown

|"From This Moment On"

|Shania Twain

|Eliminated

Artistry

Potter cites as her influences The Civil Wars, Carrie Underwood, Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill, The Chicks, Rascal Flatts, Dolly Parton, Joni Mitchell, Patsy Cline, Alison Krauss, Union Station, Martina McBride, Miranda Lambert, Taylor Swift, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, Sara Bareilles and Sheryl Crow.{{cite web|title=Rachel Potter|url=http://www.independentmusicawards.com/ima/rachel-potter/}} Growing up, she listened primarily to rock 'n roll because her parents were in a rock band. Originally a CCM artist, Potter now considers herself a Country and country pop artist, but her music contains elements of CCM, Soul pop, Hard rock and pop rock. Potter describes her musical style as a fusion of country, pop rock, and contemporary influences with occasional rock elements.{{cite web|last=Gans|first=Andrew|title=DIVA TALK: Chatting With Evita Star Rachel Potter|url=https://www.playbill.com/article/diva-talk-chatting-with-evita-star-rachel-potter-com-193998|website=Playbill|date=May 25, 2012|access-date=January 26, 2022}}

Personal life

Rachel Potter lives in Nashville with her husband, two sons and daughter.

Stage

class="wikitable"

style="background:#b0c4de; text-align:center;"

! Year

! Show

! Role

! Notes

rowspan=2|2008

| Voyage of the Little Mermaid

| Ariel

| Walt Disney World

Beauty and the Beast Live on Stage

| Belle

| Walt Disney World

2009

| Finding Nemo: The Musical

| Nemo

| Disney's Animal Kingdom

rowspan=2|2010

| The Addams Family

| Wednesday Addams

| Broadway (replacement)

Wicked

| Ensemble, Glinda u/s

| 2nd National Tour

2011

| High School Musical

| Sharpay

|High School Music Search

2012

| Evita

| Peron's Mistress

|Broadway Revival

2013

| Spring Awakening

| Wendla

|freeFall Theatre Co.

Discography

Solo Discography

Come Back Home (2002){{cite web|title=Come Back Home|website=iTunes |date=January 2002 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/come-back-home/6281439}}
Live the Dream – EP (2012){{cite web|title=Live the Dream – EP|website=iTunes |date=15 May 2012 |url=https://music.apple.com/us/album/live-the-dream-ep/521836497}}
Simply Christmas – EP (2014)
Not So Black and White (2015){{cite web|title="Not So Black and White" Pledge campaign! Donate now!|url=http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/rachelpotter}}{{cite web|last1=Schott|first1=Josh|title=Review – Rachel Potter's "Jesus and Jezebel" Tackles Judgmental Religious People & Homosexuality|url=https://countryperspective.com/2015/07/27/review-rachel-potters-jesus-and-jezebel-tackles-judgmental-religious-people-homosexuality/|website=Country Perspective|date=July 25, 2015|access-date=29 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161229174758/https://countryperspective.com/2015/07/27/review-rachel-potters-jesus-and-jezebel-tackles-judgmental-religious-people-homosexuality/|archive-date=December 29, 2016}}{{cite web|last=Gibbons|first=Annette|title=Rachel Potter Not So Black And White'|url=http://thinkcountrymusic.com/reviews/rachel-potter/|website=Think Country|date=May 17, 2015|accessdate=29 December 2016}}
Music City Christmas – EP (2018)