Navy Wife Makes Rising Star Finals

DAHLGREN, Va. (NNS) -- A Navy wife has qualified as a finalist in this year's U.S. Army Entertainment-sponsored Operation Rising Star singing competition.

Christina Williams, whose husband, Fire Controlman 3rd Class Cody Williams, assigned with the Aegis Training and Readiness Center aboard Naval Support Facility Dahlgren, Va., will now spend the next week getting the word out to friends, family and U.S. Navy members that she wants them to visit the Operation Rising Star website to vote for her.

Williams is the only U.S. Navy entry to make the finals and one of two military spouses competing in the Operation Rising Star competition.

Williams will leave this weekend to travel to San Antonio, Texas, and begin preparation for the finals. She will compete live against 11 other contestants from military bases around the world.

The competition events will be televised on the Pentagon Channel and streamed on the internet. Events will begin Dec. 9, and be held the 11th, 13th, 15th, and 17th at 8 p.m. (EST). The public vote will count for 50 percent of the winner's score, and voting will be open for two hours after each performance.

A native of Covington, Tenn., she has been a Navy wife for all of six months and turned 20 years old in June. Her parents and two younger sisters back in Kentucky are huge supporters of her singing.

"I have been singing since I was a little girl, but I started singing publicly when I was a junior in high school. I sang in school and was a member of my church choir. I also sang at the Opera Memphis Summer Conservatory and the Orpheum Memphis Summer Institute. I would sing to open events held in and around town," said Williams.

Though she hasn't participated in any Rising Star-type competitions, she has auditioned for show parts and for choirs. She said she is happy to have the opportunity to perform again.

"I try to perform as much as I can, which until Operation Rising Star, hadn't been as much as I would have liked," said Williams.

Williams has had many who've provided motivation for her singing along the way.

"I have many personal inspirations," said Williams. "My vocal coach, Dr. Sandra Franks, whom I studied classical music under, is a major reason that I sing today," said Williams.

She also counts her family among those that inspire her.

"If it wasn't for the inspiration from my mother I would not be singing at all. My mom has pushed me when I thought I wasn't good enough to do much at all.

"My mom and I have been through a lot together, and I know that no matter what happens in my life she will always be by my side."

Williams also wants to inspire with her music.

"I guess I would have to say that I would most like to be an inspiration through my music to young ladies like my vocal coach and my mother have been for me," said Williams.

Should she emerge as the winner, her prizes will include a recording session at a professional studio, as well as a cash prize. This would play right into Williams' singing goals.

"My ultimate goal as a singer would have to be becoming a recording artist that young girls can look up to. If I were to win the competition, I would like to record a mixed style of show tune and pop music. I would like to have my own sound and style, so that I could be different from all of the other artists," said Williams.

To see a past Williams' performance and to vote for her, visit oprisingstar.com.

For more news from Naval Support Activity South Potomac, visit www.navy.mil/local/NSASP/.