Army spouse represents garrison at Operation Rising Star

Sgt. 1st Class Isaac Lewis is used to hearing his wife, Christina, singing at home and at karaoke. Listening to her sing online this week, as the U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz finalist at Operation Rising Star, was something entirely new.

“I’m really happy she has an opportunity to do what she loves to do and to compete,” he said. “She’s always singing something in the house, country music or Christmas music. And she’s always singing loud.”

At home on Vogelweh Sunday, Isaac went online to see his wife sing with their daughter, Scarlett, 11 months, on his knee. Nearby, their son Abram, 5, was excited to see his mom perform.

“I like all of her songs,” Abram said.

An explosives and ordnance disposal expert serving with the 21st Theater Sustainment Command at Panzer Kaserne, Isaac has deployed several times. While he was away, Christina guarded the home front, caring for the family. Now, she’s had a chance to do something she’s good at. Plus, she’s always wondered whether compliments received at karaoke were genuine, if she was really a good singer.

“This competition has helped me move beyond those insecurities and has made me believe in myself much more than ever before,” she said.

Christina, 26, a Wisconsin native, remembers singing as a child at bed time. By high school, she was singing along with anything she heard, from Celine Dion to the Eagles. Her tastes moved to artists like Carrie Underwood and Faith Hill. In September, when she saw the ad for local Operation Rising Star auditions, she hesitated. Taking part might mean leaving her family to compete stateside.

“If you want it, you should try,” Isaac told his wife. “We’ll work it out.”

Encouraged by her husband and her friends in Kaiserslautern, Christina took a shot. At screening auditions at KMC Onstage, she sang Faith Hill’s “Like We Never Loved At All.” Then, at the local competition at Armstrong’s Club Sept. 20, Christina sang “Blue,” by LeAnn Rimes.

“It’s amazing how much support I’ve got from so many people,” she said.

In San Antonio, the first week were long days, with rehearsals, working on choreography and doing interviews, she said. The show, which was streamed online this week, began Dec. 8. During each round, supporters cast votes online for their favorite performer. The final show is Saturday. The Army program allows people to show what they can do, Isaac said.
“There are a lot of talented people in the Army,” he said. “This lets people stand out, whether a Soldier or a spouse.”

To watch the show online, visit OPRisingStar.com.