La’Porsha Renae of “American Idol” hits high note back home

JACKSON, Miss. – “American Idol” runner-up La’Porsha Renae has delivered a soulful rendition of “Amazing Grace” to a standing ovation in the Mississippi House, closing the session on a high note in her home state.

The 22-year-old single mother, who appeared in the final season of the Fox TV show, sang a capella before lawmakers adjourned an often tense and divisive session.

“We sure needed that,” State Rep. John Hines said afterward.

Renae had finished second to “American Idol” winner Trent Harmon of Amory, a self-described “dude from Mississippi” who grew up on a farm and worked as a waiter at his family’s restaurant. That prompted Renae to joke that the final competition was really a “Mississippi Idol.”

She spoke from the Speaker’s podium, all smiles, with her young daughter in her arms.