Who is American Idol’s Leah Marlene’s dad?
LEAH Marlene is the energetic American Idol contestant with a soulful sound, obvious songwriting talent, and quirky personality.
But it's no wonder she was a hit with the judges as music runs deep through her veins.
Who is American Idol's Leah Marlene's dad?
Leah Marlene's dad, Derry Grehan, is a member of the Canadian rock band Honeymoon Suite.
The group was behind a number of hits that reached the music charts in Canada and the United States.
Marlene, 20, is from Normal, Illinois, and said she was channeling her father as she performed for the judges.
Leah told American Idol: "My whole childhood, my life was just filled with guitars and amp.
Read more American Idol stories
"He was a freaking rock star and last night my dad was there and it was just like a full-circle moment.
"It was so cool."
The band has previously shown their support for Leah by sharing her music and encouraging fans to support her campaign as she raised funds to release her debut EP.
In one 2018 social media post, they wrote: "We appreciate your support of this gifted and up and coming singer/songwriter!"
Most read in The Sun
Who is the Honeymoon Suite?
Honeymoon Suite is a Canadian rock band that found success in the 1980s.
Lead vocalist Johnnie Dee, keyboardist Brad Bent, and drummer Mike Lengyell formed the band in 1981.
But by 1983 the formation changed and Derry Grehan was introduced on lead guitar and Dave Betts on drums.
Ray Coburn was then added to play keyboards while bassist Brian Brackstone was brought in as a session player before Gary Lalonde was added as a permanent addition.
Grehan started writing most of the group's music including their hit, New Girl Now, which saw them take out a Toronto radio station's unsigned band contest.
They were signed by the label WEA Canada and their self-titled album was released in June 1984 which included four tracks that made it on the charts in Canada.
New Girl Now was the band's first single and peaked at No7 on the US Rock Charts and No23 in Canada.
Their follow-up album, The Big Prize, saw another four songs receive critical praise.
In 1986, Feel It Again reached No8 on the US Rock Chart and No16 in Canada.
Love Changes Everything was their highest charter in Canada, reaching the No9 spot.
Their 1985 smash Bad Attitude was included in the series finale of Miami Vice in 1989, while Grehan's What Does It Take was featured in the John Cusack movie One Crazy Summer after peaking at number 52 on the Top 40 charts in the US.
What has Leah Marlene said about her dad?
During her American Idol audition, Leah told viewers music has been a part of her since she was born.
She said she was very expressive, wearing "questionable" fashion choices.
When she came face to face with judges Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan she said, "I grew up in a house full of guitars and music.
"My dad is an 80s rocker so it's always been around me."
In pictures of her childhood, Leah is seen holding different electric and acoustic guitars as a young kid.
She was the support act for several large Honeymoon Suite festival gigs in 2018 and 2019.
How far did Leah Marlene make it on American Idol?
Marlene made it to the final three but was cut after the first hour of the three-hour finale.
Her performance of her original song, Flowers, impressed the judges who complimented her on how far she's come as an artist since the beginning of the season.
Host Ryan Seacrest asked Marlene how she felt after singing her original song, and Marlene replied, saying: “I’m just so overwhelmed, so overwhelmed.
“I would never believe you two years ago if you said I was here, I never thought I was going to get out of that situation.
"And now I’m up here singing this song (to) people in that situation.”
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Read More On The Sun
Ahead of her final performance, her dad Derry Grehan told her, “I couldn’t be more proud of you. You’re the most wonderful daughter any father could want.”
Marlene came in third place behind HunterGirl and Noah Thompson who went on to become the 20th season winner.
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The US Sun team?
Email us at [email protected] or call 212 416 4552. Like us on Facebook at and follow us from our main Twitter account at