Melissa Lawson

At age 32, Melissa is the oldest female contestant this season on "Nashville Star." A working mother with five sons, Melissa wants to prove that country music is about the songs and the voice, not the size jeans you wear. She's the "every" woman in pursuit of the ultimate dream, and she didn't leave her family to lose the competition. Melissa's amazing weight loss was never the goal — getting healthy was. Her weight loss journey began five months ago when she weighed just under 300 pounds and realized she need to make a change. She chose not to do another diet, but to make a lifestyle change. Eating healthy and exercising regularly has been the key to her success. She has lost nearly 45 lbs since her first Nashville Star audition, and takes her weight loss as seriously as the competition. Each week, as she slims down and transforms her health, she is steps closer to becoming a music superstar. But, will she take it all?