RJ Helton

A native of Cumming, GA, RJ Helton was thrust into TV & music stardom via the breakout hit TV series "American Idol," where he quickly rose to fame with his captivating performance as a Top 5 Finalist in the first seas on.



RJ was one of the featured performers on the American Idol cast album which went Gold and reached No. 1 status on the Billboard charts in the Soundtrack category. He also participated in the national radio and media promotional tour which became a nationwide phenomenon.



With a passion for positive, uplifting music and finding comfort in faith, RJ found a natural home at B-Rite Music/Zomba Records, the pop music imprint of music industry powerhouse Gospo Centric Records. Produced by Tommy Sims (CeCe Winans, Michael McDonald, Kelly Clarkson), Reed Vertelney (Luther Vandross, Heather Headley), Bernie Herms (Natalie Grant, Plus One, Darwin Hobbs), New Tone Productions (Dana Glover, Black Eyed Peas, Eric Benet) and acclaimed songwriter Sam Mizell (Chris Rice, The Martins, Billy Ray Cyrus, Matthew West), RJ released his debut album, the Christian-oriented REAL LIFE which made the Billboard Christian Top 20. During that time, the Latin crooner was managed by Matthew Knowles, father of pop diva Beyonce.



REAL LIFE "demonstrated (RJ's) command of urban/pop/Latin vocal stylings only hinted at on American Idol" (Amazon.com). "RJ is an immensely talented young man and the overall R&B influenced album is impressive" (Truth Magazine). "REAL LIFE is filled with the usual R&B pop, but fans of the genre (and "American Idol") will embrace it for the strong production, Helton's impressive vocals, and his clear expressions of faith" (Christianity Today).



The silky-voiced tenor has since appeared on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," (performing with Kirk Franklin and Friends), "The Today Show", "Good Morning America," CNN, MTV's "Total Request Live", and other major television outlets. RJ has also been featured in publications including Billboard, Radio & Records Magazine, People Magazine, US Weekly, Entertainment Weekly , Metro Source and many more.



Having co-written much of his own material on REAL LIFE, RJ is currently back in the studio working on his sophomore album with producers from Atlanta, Houston, New York and other major cities. With renewed faith and passion for music, RJ intends to break all boundaries and showcase his music as it has never been heard before.