'Sunday Best' Winner Tasha Page-Lockhart Talks Intimidating Judges, Competition, Winning For Sons
Tasha Page-Lockhart entered into BET network's "Sunday Best" as the daughter of a gospel singer, but now the 30-year-old Detroit native is looking to change the face of the industry. She gave The Christian Post an inside scoop about being a part of the nationally televised singing competition.
Page-Lockhart was named the season six winner of "Sunday Best" on Sunday. After 19 other contestants tried their best to win the recording contract, car and cash prize that came along with the winning title, Page-Lockhart accomplished the feat.
However, the new voice in gospel music recently opened up to The Christian Post about being shocked that some of her competition was sent packing.
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"Two people in particular, Kristen-Ilycia Lowe from Chicago, and then Terrill Hall... I was very surprised to see those two go home," Page-Lockhart told CP. "Even sitting in those rehearsals I was like 'ok that's going to be a problem.' But you know things worked out a different way."
Things finally seem to be going Page-Lockhart's way after the seasoned singer spent years performing for nationally televised stage plays with roots planted by her gospel singer mother, Lisa Page Brooks. While Page-Lockhart admits that she is no stranger to the gospel music industry, surviving the singing competition was not always easy for her.
The singer was criticized on social media networks for having an unfair advantage over other contestants because of who her mother is.
"She's still trying to establish her career as much as she can. So every opportunity that comes her way she has to take it," Page-Lockhart told CP about her mother. "She doesn't give me opportunities like people think she does. Seeing certain things in social media, not that I'm looking for it, but they're tagging me in certain comments so I have no choice sometimes but to come across it."
The new "Sunday Best" winner revealed that her faith has helped her overcome the negativity that some people brought her way.
"I pray regularly, I read my Bible, I surround yourself with positive people... I have great family members and friends that are praying for me," she said. "...(My husband is) a great supporter, he's my number one supporter. I have two beautiful children, a 12 year old and a four year old... so that keeps me motivated and it keeps me going."
Although she had steep competition, Page-Lockhart revealed that the "Sunday Best" judge Yolanda Adams and mentor Kim Burrell were a bit intimidating.
"(Yolanda) was a little snappy in the audition when I walked in. I didn't know how she was going to critique me and judge me," Page-Lockhart revealed to CP. "Kim Burrell is a singer's singer, just working with someone of her caliber was really intimidating. I just tried to do the best that I can."
Page-Lockhart's best resulted in her winning "Sunday Best," along with a recording contract with Fo Yo Soul / RCA Records, brand new Ford Fusion, and $20,000 cash prize. Aside from helping to inspire those suffering in her city of Detroit, Page-Lockhart is a mother who fought through the competition to make a better life for her two sons.
"Some of us have debt and especially as singers a lot of us don't have insurance. It's not a 9 to 5 job and if this is the only job you have, you won't have insurance," Page-Lockhart revealed. "Just to stay healthy for my children, it's important that I kept them regular in their doctors appointments, getting their teeth cleaned and things like that. (Winning will) definitely change my life."
While the singer is adamant about putting her relationship with God at the center of her life, she is excited about what comes next for her career.
"I'm excited about what I'm doing. I love to sing, I love God," Page-Lockhart told CP. "I have genuine love for my job. It's ministry...I couldn't ask for a better job. So I'm happy about where I am."
