SAN ANTONIO (Army News Service, April 2, 2013) -- Pfc. Felicia Holcomb is taking a few days leave from the U.S. Army Soldier Show to support her younger sister, Amber, one of American Idol's top seven performers in Los Angeles, Calif.
Amber Holcomb drew a standing ovation from all four judges, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Randy Jackso, following her rendition of "Lately" by Stevie Wonder during American Idol's "Top 8 Performance Show."
"By far, for me, the best vocal of the night," Jackson said.
Amber also brought the judges to their feet with "A Moment like This" by Kelly Clarkson, during the "Top 10 Performance Show." Amber also sang Whitney Houston's "I Believe in You and Me" earlier in season 12 of American Idol. After that performance, nearly everyone in the house sprang to their feet.
On April 3, Amber, 19, will look into the crowd and see Felicia, 23, standing like any proud Soldier would to support her little sister during American Idol's "Classic Rock, No Ballads" performance on FOX, scheduled for 8 to 10 p.m. ET.
Performers in the Soldier Show regularly rehearse until 9:30 p.m., sometimes as late as 11, when getting set to launch their tour.
"Because we get off so late, I have to catch when she sings on YouTube," Felicia said. "It's only just her singing. Then I'll find out if whether she was safe or not on Facebook. Somebody always posts something about it on Facebook."
Felicia said she doesn't mind missing her sister's live performances as long as she can see them on the Internet when she returns to the barracks.
"There was only one time when I was able to watch the show on TV. But I've never, not once, been able to watch the ending to see if she made it or not. I've always had to find out on Facebook.
"I know she's an excellent, brilliant singer, and I know she's going to do well," Felicia said. "I believe she's going to win. I know she's going to make it, so I'm not too worried. I just like to see what she sang and try to tell her little pointers."
The Holcombs grew up together in Houston. Amber is a 2012 graduate of Dekaney High School; Felicia graduated from Aldine Senior High School.
"We sang together all the time," Felicia said. "I'm very proud of her. That's my world right there. We both love music, and we're both very open-minded when it comes to music. She has her own swag, her own personality, very bubbly.
"I have to say, when we were younger, she always did everything I did. I honestly believe to this day, if I would have been painting, she would have been a painter. I know that for a fact. But this is her path, you know? And she's going to win. And I'm on a whole different thing. But regardless, we're going to support each other, just a lot of love there."
Likewise, Amber is proud of Felicia for securing a spot in the U.S. Army Soldier Show.
"She sent me something on Facebook that said: 'Look at you. You're doing big things as well,' said Felicia, who paid for her own airfare and hotel room in Los Angeles. "Everybody in the Soldier Show is very supportive of me going to support Amber."
Felicia also will attend the live results show April 4 from 8 until 9 p.m. ET. Six-time Grammy Award-winning artist and season four Idol winner Carrie Underwood will perform her new single, "See You Again," and season nine Idol finalist Casey James will sing "The Good Life."
And Amber, of course, will learn if she advances to the next round of competition.
"She's going to win," Felicia said.
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