The American Bombshells coming to Key West – Key West grad Stephanie Leone to perform

Statue to be unveiled – Friend and artist Tom Joris remembers Albert Kee - Stephanie Leone et al. posing for a photo in front of a military uniform - Stephanie Leone

A trio of American Bombshells will be gracing the lawn of the Little White House on Saturday, March 7 starting at 7 p.m., but the big draw to the event will be welcoming home Key West High School 2008 graduate Stephanie Leone, who belts out ballads alongside her fellow Bombshells.

After auditioning in New York City for the part of the eight-woman team a little over a year ago, she began traveling the country raising money to provide cost-free patriotic shows to wounded warriors and at veteran’s hospitals. The mission is similar to the USO morale-boosters that travel to entertain U.S. troops abroad.

“It’s an amazing feeling to come back home to an outpouring of support for something I care so deeply about,” Leone said, while on a layover in Atlanta on her way to her hometown Key West. “It’s a non-profit organization that is really doing something heartfelt for the morale of our troops.”

After graduating from Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida on a performance scholarship in 2012, Leone packed her bags and moved to N.Y.C., where she was greeted with a part in the Off Broadway musical “Nicholas Nickleby” as Kate. She also performed in a number of independent films, including films by Key West’s film prodigy Quincy Perkins.

Patron’s ears at the event can expect a Star-Spangled Spectacular, a modern-day twist on The Andrews Sisters, with everything from patriotic to country and rock-and-roll. “The show is a nice blend of everything,” Leone said, including that she likes the military branch salutes the best.

Leone and The American Bombshells have also been seen on The Today Show, CNN and FOX and Friends’ Veteran’s Day Wounded Warrior special, where they performed for a five-hour stint. “It’s been a life-changing experience being a Bombshell,” she said.

The group was founded in 2011 by Ali Reeder, who met and fell in love with her own wounded warrior she met during Fleet Week in 2006. Both Leone’s grandfathers served in World War II, which adds a personal touch to her performances.

Tickets are available for purchase at keystix.com for $20. There is a special two for $20 deal for active or past military who have military ID. Food, drinks and snacks will be available during the show.

Kristen Livengood is a Marathon High School and University of South Florida grad, mom of two beautiful little girls, and wife to some cute guy she met in a bar. She enjoys red wine, Tito's, Jameson, running (very, very slowly), and spearfishing.