Amercan Idol contestant Danny Gokey’s mom Rhonda and sister Gina were spotted today getting complimentary make-overs at Tribeca Salon in Aliso Viejo.
Gokey’s family members and in-laws have been staying on and off at the Laguna Beach mobile home of Denny and Leesa Bellesi, founders of American Idol Ministry.
“We call her Mama Lees,” Gina said. “We’re blessed to have met her.”
The ministry helps out families of American Idol contestants during the long show, hooking them up with rental cars, transporation, housing — and sometimes make-overs. Past guests at the Laguna house include the families of Chris Sligh, Syesha Mercado and Jason Castro.
Rhonda and Gina flew in from Milwaukee yesterday for the Idol show tonight and the finale tomorrow night. Danny’s uncle Don and dad Chuck are also here. The men succumbed to their first ever spa pedicure yesterday.
Rhonda said she cried when her son was voted off Idol last week, “but we have to look at the whole picture.” And not only for her son’s music career. Idol gave Danny a platform to launch Sophia’s Heart Foundation. Sophia was Danny’s wife who died less than a year ago. In her name, Danny started the foundation to “help mend and heal the hearts of children,” touched by sickness, grief and broken families.
On May 31, Sophia’s Heart Foundation will be recognized at The Well Done Awards at The Grove of Anaheim. The third annual event, a sort of Christian variety show put on by the Bellesis, is “designed to celebrate the spiritual successes of the ordinary as well as the famous.” Click here to listen to the song Idol contestant Chris Sligh wrote for the Well Done Awards.
This year, Idol finalist Phil Stacey will headline. Michael Castro, a contestant this season and the brother of last year’s Jason Castro, will also sing. And Leesa promises other American Idol “suprises.”
Others who will be recognized this year include Iron Man Scott Rigsby, a double amputee tri-athlete and Arthur Blessit, who picked up a cross and carried it more than 38,000 miles in more than 315 countries.
Click here to get ticket information on The Well Done Awards.
