Florissant Girls Set to Perform on National TV

Information courtesy of Hazelwood School District

Two sisters from will be featured guests on NBC’s Kathie Lee and Hoda to compete in a kids’ edition of The Voice.

Jhaere and Mekhi Mitchell will sing “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” by Whitney Houston Tuesday on the program. The show airs in the St. Louis area at 11 a.m. on KSDK Channel 5.

Jhaere is a freshman at . Mekhi is in seventh grade at . They will travel to New York City with their mother, Neuka Mitchell.

“We’re really excited. The girls love music. It’s a nice opportunity to be part of the competition,” Mrs. Mitchell said.

“I’m looking forward to being in New York and being on the show to get exposure,” Jhaere said.

Mekhi is also looking forward to being on television, and “for my family and friends to support me.” She is “excited and happy and overwhelmed.”

Jhaere explained that her father entered the girls in the contest. He sent a video, and a few days later, received a call. She said he sent a total of three videos for the competition.

This isn’t her first experience auditioning for a national program. Last year, she auditioned for The X Factor. Actually, it’s not the first time anyone in her family has auditioned for a national show.

She said her brother, Gibraun Mitchell, a senior at HCHS, auditioned for The X Factor, American Idol and The Voice. Her older sister, who is in the Army, is also a singer.

Jhaere has been singing since she was 3. It’s a natural talent; neither she nor her sister take lessons. At school, she sings in the concert choir and competes in the 100-meter hurdles, 300-meter hurdles and long jump in track.

Mekhi has been singing since she was 2. “Well, I wasn’t really singing,” she smiled.  At school, she is involved in the gifted education program, Students’ Activities in Investigative Learning (SAIL), and is on the step team.

Both girls sing in the youth choir at .

When asked whose career she admires, Jhaere said “my grandmother because she’s inspiring.” Her grandmother is Fontella Bass, who sang the hit '60s classic, “Rescue Me.”

Mrs. Mitchell said they are a family of musicians who are “carrying on the legacy.” They are fifth generation musicians.