Fuse Project's 2025 Lip Sync Battle: Electric Energy, Show-Stopping Performances, and Record-Breaking Impact
Photography by Airwind Creative
On Thursday, March 27, 2025, Fuse Project lit up downtown Mobile with its 5th annual Lip Sync Battle, presented by Infirmary Health. Hosted at Soul Kitchen, this electric event brought together more than 650 guests for a night of jaw-dropping talent, big laughs, high-energy competition, and most importantly, lasting impact. With a record-breaking over $106,000 raised, the event once again proved that one 'wow' event can lead to one big impact.
What is Lip Sync Battle?
For those new to the scene, Fuse Project’s Lip Sync Battle is no ordinary talent show. It’s a full-scale, high-production performance showdown where local teams take the stage to deliver lip synched renditions of popular songs complete with costumes, props, choreography, lighting effects, and over-the-top stage presence.
The event is known not just for its high-energy entertainment but also for its polished presentation, thanks in large part to our longtime production partner, Future Astronaut. Their team brings each performance to life through custom LED screen visuals, seamless audio, and vibrant lighting, elevating Soul Kitchen—a beloved concert venue—into an immersive, visually stunning experience. Looking to elevate your next event? Be sure to reach out to our friends at Future Astronaut for any event production needs to add that wow-factor sure to impress your audience.
Teams compete not just for bragging rights, but to raise funds in support of Fuse Project’s mission to expand education, community wellness, and housing opportunities in the Avenue community. Performances are scored by a panel of judges across six categories: lip sync abilities, creativity, appearance and stage presence, crowd appeal, participation in pre-show challenges, and total fundraising efforts.
There are three major awards teams can earn at Lip Sync Battle:
Crowd Favorite is awarded to the team that raises the most money through audience donations and ticket sales. $1 equals one vote, and every dollar counts!
Talent Winner is chosen by the judges based solely on performance, creativity, and stage presence, regardless of fundraising totals.
Grand Champion is the ultimate honor, determined by combining the judges’ talent score and each team’s total fundraising and participation points.
These awards celebrate not only the performance quality but also the commitment to the cause—turning competition into meaningful impact.
Meet the Host and Judges
Returning for her fourth year as emcee was Fuse Project’s Development Director, Mary Frances Clarke, who was joined briefly on stage by Andrew Peak, Chief Deputy at the Mobile County Sheriff’s Office, Fuse Project Board member, and Chairman of the Lip Sync Battle Planning Committee.
This year’s judges included:
Kalenski "DJ Dirty Dan" Adams – Executive Director, Opportunity 4 EntertainERS
Vanessa Pacheco – Anchor & Reporter, Fox 10 WALA
Ryan "Pablo" Foster – Senior Marketing Manager, Saenger Theatre
Regina Flowers – Principal, Florence Howard Elementary School
Dr. Adrian G. DiVittorio – Infirmary Health
The panel offered spirited commentary and thoughtful feedback, contributing to the engaging, supportive atmosphere of the evening.
The Teams and Performances
This year’s seven competing teams delivered a series of unforgettable performances:
Bay City Fitness
Bay City Fitness channeled 80s workout culture with "Let’s Get Physical" in neon windbreaker tracksuits and athletic theatrics, including flying pushups and gravity-defying box jumps.
Team Members: Brooke Colomb, Kayla Gollette, Trell Griffin, Eddie Loggins, Christian Shelter
YP of MOB
YP of MOB delivered a hilarious and heartfelt tribute to our outgoing Mayor, with team member Sydney Cramer impersonating Sandy Stimpson himself—a performance so impactful it earned a shoutout in the Mayor’s Nightly Newsletter.
Team Members: BessMorgan Baluyut, Caroline Choe, Sydney Cramer, Jacey Curington, Attie Harper, Mary Emma Peavy, Abby Scioneaux, Bree Williams
Order of Fuse
Order of Fuse brought Broadway to Soul Kitchen with a rain-themed mashup, complete with umbrellas, dramatic transitions, and polished choreography.
Team Members: Rebekka Blanchard, Niki Coker, Graysi Gartman, Jen (Bunny) Head, Kelly McKinley, Amber Saltz, Cara Stapleton, Allison Starr, Katie Wilkinson, Maddie Wright
Team Sheriff
Team Sheriff leaned into their line of work with a jailhouse-themed set, featuring black-and-white stripes, a guest appearance by Sheriff Paul Burch, and Lip Sync Battle Planning Committee Member Lori Myles as the Honorable Jennifer Wright.
Team Members: Darren Brackens, Karla Bryars, Zaketha Corbett, Mackenzie Davis, Terri Hall, Jenn Hiestand, Myasi Jackson, Lori Myles, Dubraska Nelson, Josh Pounds, Aaron Reed, Jordan Rhodes, Darbie Weaver, Selenia Westbrook
Austal USA
Austal USA paid homage to their shipbuilding industry, beginning with Dolly Parton's "9 to 5" and ending with "I’m On a Boat", plus an impressive handmade ship prop on stage.
Team Members: Sonja Dennis, Tony Tharpe, Tina Vargas, Brad Vickers, Jessica Wofford
iHeart Radio
iHeart Radio celebrated the return of passenger rail to Mobile through a travel-themed performance with train car props and a Jimmy Buffett tribute.
Team Members: Ronnie Bloodworth, Mary Booth, Lauren Carter, Missy Lynam, Ariel McSwain, Shelby Mitchell, Melissa Overstreet, Taylor Tanner, Erika Wiggins
Solo Spotlight
New this year, the Solo Spotlight segment gave individual audience members the chance to shine. These mini-performances brought even more excitement and spontaneity to the evening, allowing fans to step into the spotlight and show off their lip sync skills for a great cause. Participants pre-registered, selected a song under 90 seconds, and took the stage between team performances. The winner was determined by audience donations, just like the Crowd Favorite category for teams.
Participants included:
Molly Middleton and Libby McLeod – Brought energy and sass to Ike and Tina Turner’s "Proud Mary"
Vanessa Pacheco – Belted out a lively rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s "I Will Survive"
Elliot Clarke – Delivered a crowd-favorite performance of the Jonas Brothers' "What a Man Gotta Do" and earned the Solo Spotlight Star win with the most donation votes
Special Guest Performances
In addition to competing teams and solo stars, the show featured a lineup of special guest performances to keep the momentum high and offer breaks for the crowd to vote, donate, and refresh.
These performers add richness and variety to the program while elevating local talent and mission-aligned organizations.
Dance Without Limits
A longtime fan favorite, this inclusive dance group performed to Janet Jackson’s "Rhythm Nation," demonstrating that dance is for everyone. Dance Without Limits offers classes to children and adults with disabilities in a loving, supportive environment. Their students’ joy and determination light up the stage year after year.
Mobile Kappa League
This impressive group of young men delivered a powerful step performance, showcasing discipline, unity, and leadership. As a youth mentoring initiative under Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., the Mobile Kappa League supports high school students across Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
Bronson Webb
During the intermission, local singer-songwriter Bronson Webb took the stage for an acoustic performance while mission photos from the Avenue community played on the screen. His soulful set included an original song and Alicia Keys's "If I Ain’t Got You," adding a heartfelt moment of reflection amid the high-energy night.
South Alabama Prowlers Dance Team
The official dance team of University of South Alabama Athletics kept the energy up with a dynamic halftime-style routine, highlighting the skill and spirit of these nationally ranked student performers.
Blow House Brass Band
Known as the "Sound of Mobile Mardi Gras," Blow House Brass Band brought the party to the judges' deliberation break, playing a short but explosive set that had the crowd clapping, cheering, and dancing as final scores were tallied.
Mission Moments
In between the glittering performances and crowd-shaking applause, Lip Sync Battle 2025 carved out two powerful moments to spotlight the true heart of the evening—local children.
Mission Moment 1 brought the leadership of Calloway-Smith Middle School to the stage. Principal Mrs. Payton and Assistant Principal Mr. George joined Mary Frances in an emotional show of gratitude, thanking her for her tireless efforts and Fuse Project’s ongoing partnership. To honor her work, they presented her with a heartfelt thank you card and bouquet of flowers. This segment also featured special guest Brittany Whitsell from the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans who spoke about the Gayle Benson Day of Giving and their partnership with Fuse Project. Through this initiative, the Saints’ and Pelicans’ owner, Mrs. Benson, generously donated brand-new furniture to Calloway-Smith, creating a more welcoming and functional learning environment for students.
Mission Moment 2 turned the spotlight to Florence Howard Elementary School, where Fuse Project’s Academic Support Program is making a daily impact. Mary Frances was joined on stage by FHES Principal Mrs. Regina Flowers and Kat Kirk Stoves from the Mobile Arts Council to highlight two of the clubs currently thriving at the school: Art Club and Garden Club. These programs, provided through partnerships with Mobile Arts Council’s Amp Up Arts initiative and Mobile Urban Growers, give students the chance to explore their creativity and learn valuable skills outside the traditional classroom.
These two moments reminded the audience why we gather—to celebrate, to uplift, to donate, and to make lasting change in the lives of local children in the Avenue community.
Winners’ Circle
The competition was fierce, the energy was unmatched, and the votes poured in, but when the final curtain dropped and the confetti settled, two standout teams took home top honors.
Order of Fuse not only rallied their fanbase but brought their A-game to the stage, earning the coveted Crowd Favorite award through audience donations and ticket sales. Their polished performance kept the crowd cheering from start to finish and secured them the title of Runner-Up overall.
But the night truly belonged to the Young Professionals of Mobile (YPofMOB). Their witty and nostalgic tribute to the City of Mobile and Mayor Sandy Stimpson was both clever and captivating. From garbage trucks to public works to an uncanny impersonation, their performance had it all earning them both the Talent Winner award from the judges and the title of Grand Champion for their all-around excellence in creativity, showmanship, and fundraising.
After-Party & Acknowledgments
After the show, the celebration continued with DJ Rodski spinning live in the front room of Soul Kitchen. Performers, fans, and supporters danced late into the night.
None of this would have been possible without the event’s incredible volunteer committee. Their efforts, along with a dedicated group of volunteers, made the night seamless, polished, and truly unforgettable.
We are especially grateful to our generous event sponsors for their unwavering support, with special thanks to our presenting sponsor, Infirmary Health, for their continued partnership and commitment to helping us create lasting change in our community.
Save the Date
The countdown to next year has already begun! Join us for the 6th Annual Lip Sync Battle on Thursday, March 26, 2026. Whether you want to compete, sponsor, or just attend and cheer on the teams, we want you there!
Visit lipsync.fuseproject.org to:
Learn about sponsorship opportunities
View our highlight video and photo gallery of past events
Until next year, thank you for helping us turn performances into progress and fun into fuel for transformational change in the Avenue.
BEHIND THE BATTLE: LIP SYNC STORIES & HIGHLIGHTS
Step into the spotlight and explore the energy, creativity, and impact that make Fuse Project’s Lip Sync Battle one of the most unforgettable events on the Gulf Coast. From jaw-dropping performances and mission moments to behind-the-scenes highlights and winner spotlights, this archive of blog posts captures the heart of each year’s show. Whether you're reliving your favorite moments or discovering the magic for the first time, you'll find all things Lip Sync Battle right here.
