Erika Schiff "Akire" is widely recognized from American Idol, a singer, songwriter and actress, known for her eclectic musical style and often cast in off-beat, sexually charged roles. A middle child, born and raised in Philadelphia, she started dancing at age 2, performed in Madison Square Garden and Merv Griffin's Resorts by age 6, and had been a member of two professional dance companies by age 11. At 12 years old was accepted into the Pennsylvania Ballet but felt her musical heartstrings pulling in other directions. She formed her first original band in the 8th grade and wrote an autobiographical song titled "Feel Good." After high school she attended the University of the of the Arts to study medical illustration but was once again more interested in a musical career. Going against all advice she left college and thrust herself into the cabaret, jazz and blues scenes of Philadelphia, picking up frequent gigs at Chris' Jazz, Ortlieb's Jazzhaus, the Tin Angel and Trocadero. She was hired as a studio session singer and quickly gained a reputation for having a quick ear and sultry commercial-pop sound. Her voice can be heard on numerous television, film, commercial and radio recordings. After singing the National Anthem at a nationally televised Phillies game (while donning a low-cut Marilyn-esque dress that a friend made for her) WIP Sports Radio fans flooded phone lines asking, "Who was that, Jessica Simpson?" More notably it ruffled the feathers of conservative talk-show host Bill Conlin who labeled her "inappropriate" yet soon after retired after numerous accounts of sexual-abuse charges surfaced. Needless to say this stamped her presence on the Philadelphia map and once again drove home her "true to thyself" credo. Never quite able to dodge controversy, her dramatic involvement in Group-Round on "American Idol" (Season 10) was the season's beginning highlight, the record-breaking year topping out with 112k that auditioned.After Idol, she released self-titled debut album with eclectic pop band "In the Blonde" and brought in legendary rapper Schoolly D to record the remix of song "For a Good Time." Her true essence can be marked by her work. As "Ella" in Nicole Conn's film "A Perfect Ending" where she plays a singing escort and her role in ID Discovery's highest rated episode of "I Married a Mobster" where she starred as lead "Love Majewski," the gun-shooting, love making, car stealing, pyromaniac loose cannon. It was only natural for her to follow up by collaborating with "internet porn-king" Gunner, the star, stylist, designer extraordinaire. Together they have been developing projects in film, television, music videos with the kick-off charity event "Party Like a Pornstar" which featured club legend Kevin Aviance and raised money for Equality PA. Favorite artists include Pink Floyd, ELO, Vangelis, Michael Jackson, Otis Redding, Nirvana. Show less «