In a new interview with The Bay Ragni Show, former VIXEN singer Lorraine Lewis discussed her recent departure from the band, expressing that she was “definitely shocked and surprised” by her dismissal.
Reflecting on her time with VIXEN, Lewis shared with “The Bay Ragni Show (as transcribed by Blabbermouth): “I did my first show with them in 2018 when Janet had a brain issue. And I think that I can remember it was Choctaw, Oklahoma, and it was a fabulous show and really great. And then Janet decided to leave and do her own thing. And I was invited to be the lead singer of VIXEN, which was a great honor and a privilege and a pleasure for sure. And, yeah, and that’s basically what happened. So I was invited to come into the camp. I think that they needed me at that time. Yeah, and five years of rocking and rolling and having a blast.”
When asked if she was surprised by her dismissal from VIXEN, Lorraine responded: “You said that a lot of people were shocked or surprised. I was definitely shocked and surprised. I thought that my statement [that I released announcing my departure] was pretty clear. I think that a lot of people have misunderstood it. So I guess it’s important for me to say, because, look, the bottom line for me, I had the best time, I love the girls.
“We had an amazing time. We totally kicked a*s together and I am really proud, really proud of what I brought to the brand. And I know that I did a great job. No one can tell me that I didn’t. I know this. You can say whatever you want about me, whatever, but I know I brought it and I brought it every night and I do what I do, which I am a rock and roll singer through and through and I love the crowd and I love the people. I live for the people. I mean, I live for the music, too — don’t get me wrong; it’s all about the music at the end of the day — but I’m here for the people. I’m an entertainer. I’m born to entertain. That’s what I do. So, for me, I wanted to let the fans know that I was no longer going to be the front person for the band.”
“It was not my decision to leave,” she explained. “And I think that that’s something that I do want to have be clear and known, and that’s not for anybody else or any musicians or anything. It’s for the fans, ’cause I had a lot of fans reach out to me and say, ‘Why did you quit? Why? Why did you leave? Why?’, and upset that I ‘left’. And plain and simple, it was not my choice to leave. And I think that that is all I really need to say about that. It was not my choice. I was surprised. I thought we were getting ready to go out on tour for the summer. So, I was ready to rock and roll. And again, I miss the girls. I love the girls. And we had the best ride. And I am still honored and so humbled and grateful to have been a part of VIXEN and what I brought to the table and the amount of touring that I got to do with them and have a blast. And I think that the fans really loved it.”
“Here’s to the fans and the friends of the band. You are the people that really matter to me and I love you all so much. And it was important for me to let people know, because shows were coming up and I felt it was my right to say what I wanted to say as gently as I could, and so I released that statement on a Sunday and let people know. And yeah, I’m sure that people were surprised and shocked. I know that they were, because my phone blew up like crazy and hasn’t really stopped. But that’s really all I can say about that. I had a great ride with them.”
VIXEN‘s new singer, Rosa Laricchiuta (formerly of TRANS-SIBERIAN ORCHESTRA and HEADPINS), made her live debut with the band on June 21 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California, performing alongside GREAT WHITE, SLAUGHTER, and QUIET RIOT.
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