Lee Vasi
Lee Vasi | |
|---|---|
| Born | Halle Sullivan-Vargas July 29, 1997 |
| Origin | Atlanta, Georgia |
| Genres | Gospel, R&B |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2018–present |
| Labels | Capitol Christian Music Group, TAMLA Records |
Halle Sullivan-Vargas better known by her stage name Lee Vasi, is an American gospel and R&B singer and songwriter. Vasi was a contestant on American Idol during season 16, where she made it to the Hollywood rounds.[1]
Following the success of independent viral singles "My Bad" and "Teach Me", Vasi was signed to Capitol Christian Music Group and TAMLA Records in 2025.[2] Her debut album, Love Me To Life, arrived May 30, 2025, and placed on Billboards Top Gospel Albums chart.[3]
Early life
[edit]Lee Vasi was born Halle Sullivan-Vargas on July 29, 1997, in Fayetteville, North Carolina. She was raised in a multicultural, Puerto Rican-Dominican and African American household where she was encouraged to engage in music from a young age.[1]
Career
[edit]Early years—2018
[edit]Lee Vasi enjoyed music from an early age, often singing with her brother. She started musical theater when she was 7 and by the age of 9, she had been cast as young Nala on the Broadway musical, The Lion King.[4] During her time on Broadway, Vasi began songwriting and after leaving, she attended the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University to further develop her musical talents.[5][6] In 2018 she appeared on season 16 of American Idol where she advanced to the Top 50 before being cut prior to the final 24.[7][8]
2019—2024: From Me, To God (EP)
[edit]Following her appearance on American Idol, Vasi moved to Atlanta, Georgia to pursue music fulltime. After several years of unsuccessfully finding her footing in the industry, the COVID-19 pandemic prompted Vasi to take a step-back from music entirely. In 2021 she retreated to her hometown Fayetteville, North Carolina, where she grew closer with her Christian faith, inspiring a new direction in her music.[7] In 2023 she returned to Atlanta and released the single "My Bad", alongside a Spanish version. The single went viral on social media, receiving widespread reception for its modern approach to Christian R&B.[5][4] The following year, Vasi, still an independent artist, released "Teach Me" on January 12, 2024. The single achieved online viral success and became her first entry on Billboard charts; reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Gospel Digital Songs Sales chart and No. 21 on the Hot Gospel Songs chart.[9] In the wake of the single's virality, Vasi issued her first extended play, From Me, To God, on April 26, 2024.[10][11] In June 2024, Vasi was featured at the Gospel Music Association's Future Sounds Showcase; where she performed alongside Christian Hip-hop artist Caleb Gordon and singer-songwriter Jervis Campbell.[12]
2025: Love Me To Life
[edit]After being named Amazon Music's 2025 Artist to Watch, Lee Vasi issued the single, "GPS", on January 17, 2025.[13] A second single, "My Bad Part II" was released on March 14, 2025.[14] Vasi released a third single, "He Is" on April 25, 2025, and announced she had signed with major labels Capitol CMG and TAMLA Records which would support her subsequent releases and debut album.[14][15] Her debut studio album, Love Me To Life, was recorded in a three-week span and arrived on May 30, 2025; placing on Billboards Top Gospel Albums chart.[16] To promote the album, Vasi opened for American R&B and worship singer Ryan Ellis on the summer leg of the Better Days Tour.[17] The music video for the single, "My Bad Part II", in addition to Vasi's personal story behind the song, was featured at the 40th Stellar Awards on August 16, 2025.[18]
2026—present
[edit]At the 57th NAACP Image Awards on February 28, 2026, Lee Vasi received a nomination Outstanding New Artist.[19] Preceding the awards, Vasi announced via social media that she was entering a new era, confirming the single, "Worthy", which arrived February 27, 2026, would be her final release with Capitol CMG/TAMLA Records.[20] In July 2026, Vasi returned to releasing independently with the single, "Forward".[21]
Artistry
[edit]Influences
[edit]Lee Vasi grew up listening to Mariah Carey, Ne-Yo and Selena and cites her Puerto Rican-Dominican and African American household as having a large influence on the music she appreciates.
Musical style
[edit]Vasi's music has widely been received as "Christian R&B" primarily incorporating elements of soul and Latin pop with Gospel-inspired lyricism.[22] She sings in both English and Spanish with several bilingual songs and Spanglish variations.[23]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|---|---|---|
| US | ||
| From Me, To God (EP) |
|
— |
| Love Me To Life |
|
28 |
Singles
[edit]| Year | Single | Peak chart
positions |
Album | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | US Digital Gospel | |||||
| 2023 | "My Bad" | — | — | Non-album single | ||
| 2024 | "Teach Me" | 21 | 2 | From Me, To God | ||
| "Your Will" | — | — | ||||
| "Never Let Me Go" | — | — | Non-album single | |||
| 2025 | "GPS" | — | — | Love Me To Life | ||
| "My Bad Part II" | — | — | ||||
| "He Is" | — | — | ||||
| 2026 | "Worthy" | — | — | TBA | ||
| "Forward" | — | — | ||||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that territory. | ||||||
Awards and nominations
[edit]NAACP Image Awards
[edit]| Year | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Outstanding New Artist | Herself | Nominated | [24] |
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Lee Vasi's Faith Journey: From American Idol to Embracing God's Calling – Holy Culture". holyculture.net. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- ↑ "Lee Vasi Releases New Single + Video 'He Is;' Signs to Capitol Christian Music Group/Tamla Records". GodTube.com. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- ↑ says, Samuel (2025-06-03). "Lee Vasi Releases New Album "Love Me To Life"". TheUrbanMusicScene.com. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- 1 2 "The 116 Life Ep. 63: Trusting in God's Timing with Lee Vasi – Holy Culture". holyculture.net. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- 1 2 "Lee Vasi: From Lion King child star to R&B gospel radio hitmaker - Lee Vasi". www.crossrhythms.co.uk. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- ↑ "Lee Vasi Biography, Songs, Age, Husband, Net Worth, Career, Label & Musical Journey - Favour Udelue Blog". 2025-10-05. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- 1 2 Magazine, Maria Jackson 27 (2025-03-02). "Lee Vasi's Story". MARIA JACKSON 27 MAGAZINE. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ↑ "Meet Lee Vasi of America Idol Season 16 | Idol Chatter & Voice Views". Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- ↑ Young, Tamara (2025-02-09). "One year later, Lee Vasi's Single "Teach Me" is still making an impact!". ArtSoulRadio. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- ↑ From Me, To God - Lee Vasi | EVEN, retrieved 2026-09-11
- ↑ From Me, To God EP by Lee Vasi | NewReleaseToday, retrieved 2026-09-11
- ↑ 16K views · 286 reactions | BIG NEWS! We're thrilled to launch the GMA Future Sounds Showcase - featuring music's newest innovators who are disrupting the status quo to bring hope to the world! Today we're featuring dynamic R&B artist Lee Vasi. Head on over to YouTube to see Lee's incredible Future Sounds performance of "Teach Me." https://youtu.be/PYkWHIE4qiI?si=PKeeEqeMtJvcnnIx | GMA Dove Awards. Retrieved 2026-09-11 – via www.facebook.com.
{{cite AV media}}: External link in|title= - ↑ "Lee Vasi Named 2025 Amazon Music's Artist to Watch; New Single "GPS" Set to Uplift During Difficult Times - SHEEN Magazine". 2025-01-17. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- 1 2 News, Christian Music (2025-03-14). "Christian R&B Singer Lee Vasi Releases New Single 'My Bad Part II'". Christian Music Now. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ↑ News, Christian Music (2025-04-28). "Lee Vasi Releases New Single + Video 'He Is;' Signs to Capitol Christian Music Group/Tamla Records". Christian Music Now. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ↑ "Lee Vasi's Love Me To Life Is LIVE – Holy Culture". holyculture.net. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- ↑ "Better Days Tour With Ryan Ellis & Lee Vasi – Holy Culture". holyculture.net. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- ↑ Lee Vasi - “My Bad, Pt. II” - | BET Stellar Awards. 2025-03-14. Retrieved 2026-09-11 – via www.bet.com.
- ↑ Media, G. M. B. (2026-01-15). "TAMLA's Lee Vasi Celebrates NAACP Image Awards Nomination". Gospel Music Buzz. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- ↑ Yap, Timothy (February 25, 2026). "NAACP Image Award Nominee Lee Vasi Launches 2026 With Soul-Stirring New Single "Worthy"". Jubilee Cast. Retrieved September 11, 2026.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ↑ paige.boyd (2026-07-15). "Lee Vasi Is Moving Forward—On Her Own Terms". Hot 107.9 - Hot Spot ATL. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- ↑ Davis, Todd (2025-03-07). "[INTERVIEW] Christian R&B Artist Lee Vasi Stays True To Her Mission, On Her Way To Next Level". Parle Mag. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- ↑ Connect, Artist (2026-04-27). "Through Faith and Sound: The Heart Behind Lee Vasi's Music". The Artist Connect. Retrieved 2026-09-11.
- ↑ "TAMLA's Lee Vasi Celebrates NAACP Image Awards Nomination". www.jesusfreakhideout.com. Retrieved 2026-09-11.