Libby Leaves Jump5

By CP Staff, Friday, January 09, 2004

Libby Hodges from Jump5 has announced that she will leave the group to go back to high school and see what God has planned for her future.

"It's simply that I want to take a deep breath and see what exactly God wants me to do at this point in my life. This has not been a quick or easy decision but I have prayed about it for a long time," said the 16-year-old, who named Gloria Estefan and Celine Dion as her musical influences.

Although Hodges' leaving has been a big change for the five-now-four-member group, they only want what's best for Hodges.

"We support her fully in this decision and wish her only the best in whatever the future holds. We hope that you guys will also support her and keep her in your prayers," Jump5 members said to all fans in a statement posted on their website.

Hodges will return to her old high school where she wants to play soccer. There is one thing she surely won't forget about her time with Jump5 even though she will from now be "just a regular kid" and "a fan" of Jump5.

"My greatest and most memorable moments were when I was able to talk to you all one on one about having Jesus in your life on stage," recollects Hodges.

Jump5 recently participated in the 20th Annual Walt Disney World Christmas Day Parade. The group's latest release, Accelerate, was available since early October.

To fill Hodges' position, the group will holding auditions.