The Selma Times-Journal

Elizabeth Acker, this year’s Black Belt Idol winner, could not stop smiling as she spent the day walking the length of the Selma Mall earlier this week.

The 18-year-old singer from Hale County won the Red Cross-sponsored Idol contest on July 2 and was getting a day of pampering at the mall as a result.

On Monday, Acker arrived at the Selma Mall with Jakki Caldwell-Phillips, Special Events Coordinator for the Black Belt ARC Service Center, and ARC volunteer Howard Tinsley.

Acker’s day began at the JC Penny Salon, where stylists gave Acker’s long brown hair a curly new look.

This was followed by a makeover, a complete new outfit and a photo session by Tinsley.

One of the highlights of the day was a consultation with Sheyann Webb-Christburg, owner of KEEP Productions Youth Development and Modeling Program.

Webb-Christburg, who currently lives in Montgomery, assists talented youth in improving their image and furthering their careers.

&8220;We had Ms. Christburg spend the day with Elizabeth and talk to her about what she can do to get her foot in the door if she wants to pursue a music career,&8221; Caldwell-Phillips said.

Acker said she enjoyed her day of shopping and pampering.

Next week, Acker will be headed off to Nashville, Tenn. to attend Belmont University and try to get the attention of record labels.

In addition to her day at the Selma Mall, as the Black Belt Idol winner Acker also received a commitment to perform at the Selma Mall over the Thanksgiving holiday and $300 in cash.

She is also scheduled to work with Bama Records to record a demo.

With all this help from the ARC Black Belt Idol, Acker may one day be able to see her name up in lights. And those who saw her perform contest will be able to say they were there when all the attention started.