Born Vonzell Monique Goethie in Baxley, Georgia, Solomon's family relocated to Fort Myers, Florida when she was an infant. Solomon attended high school at the Cypress Lake Center for the Arts. She holds a black belt in sembact martial arts; her father is a martial arts instructor. Her parents are Alice and Larry Goethie; Vonzell her mother's maiden name professionally. She has one older sister, Zanobra, and two brothers. Solomon auditioned for P-Diddy's Making The Band in the second season of the show but was not selected for the group. Diddy himself says that he does not remember Solomon and later stated on Live with Regis and Kelly that Solomon was not well suited for a hip-hop group. In April 2004, Solomon released a demo CD, My Struggle. Prior to auditioning for American Idol, Solomon worked for the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier and sung with local bands in southwest Florida. Solomon auditioned for the fourth season of the show in Orlando, Florida and was one of 12 finalists who went on to compete in the semifinals and finals in 2005. On May 18, 2005 Solomon was voted off during choice selections week after her three performances: "I'll Never Love This Way Again" by Dionne Warwick, "Chain of Fools" by Aretha Franklin, and "On the Radio" by Donna Summer. Her elimination left contestants Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice in the Idol finale. Solomon is featured on the Dear Santa holiday compilation album with a rendition of "O Come All Ye Faithful" alongside Alicia Keys, Nick Lachey, and other well-known recording artists. She has also shot footage for a cameo role in the upcoming independent film Still Green