Angie Stone kicks off Welcome party

MUSIC. Angie Stone’s concert this weekend is the highlight of the Welcome America! “A Taste of Philadelphia” food festival. Stone, of course, became mainstream famous for what she hasn’t eaten — the soul singer appeared on VH1’s “Celebrity Fit Club” three years ago.

“I just challenged myself because I wanted to lose the weight,” Stone says. “I wanted to put myself in a win-win situation. I knew that if I went out before the world I’d have to show improvement.”

She took the healthy living lessons she learned to heart: Last year Stone, who was diagnosed with diabetes nine years ago, became the spokesperson for the Fearless African-Americans Connected and Empowered (FACE) diabetes campaign, which encourages the community to learn how to better manage the disease.

Stone is readying a new album, “Unexpected.” After that, she’s looking to diversify her career and focus on films.

“I’ve been doing it for 30 years,” says Stone of music. “It’s time for me to do something else.”

But thankfully, not before Philly gets a taste.