{image1}Hoping to be the next child of destiny (or Destiny's Child), Milwaukee diva Le'Che Martin is belting out the notes like never before on MTV's Making the Band: Season 3.
With Sean "Puffy" Combs hosting the show, the search is on for the next ultimate girl group, and Martin is right in the thick of the competition.
Singing is nothing new to the 24-year-old.
"I've been singing since I was a kid," Martin says. "I was in a local gospel group and have performed all over for city events." Martin has been fortunate enough to share the stage with recognized musical talents such as Syleena Johnson and Shania Twain.
Musically talented and motivated, Martin -- who also studied violin and piano as a youth -- saw opportunity when she heard about the Making the Band auditions in New York. She passed all the stages except the last, but that didn't deflate her dreams of becoming a star.
She went on to the Chicago auditions, tried out and made it. She was then taken back to New York and was chosen as one of 19 finalists for the show. All 19 women moved into the same loft.
Once settled in, Martin and the other contestants go through a series of experiences ranging from choreography lessons with Laurie Ann (Beyonce, Usher, Britney Spears) and vocal training with Doc Holiday (Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans) to management styling with Johnny Wright (N'Sync).
"If we lacked in a certain area, they'd single us out," Martin says. "We were split into groups and had to write our own songs."
Many popular singers don't write their own music, but Martin is well versed in the task.
"I'm working on my own CD right now," Martin adds. "I've written some songs that are soulful and current."
As for the show, Martin has been making the grade and making not only the band, but making believers out of Milwaukeeans as well.
Making the Band: Season 3 airs Thursday nights at 9 p.m. on MTV. Season 3 is still in progress.
