Sanjaya Malakar born on September 10, 1989 in the Seattle
area comes from a musical
family.
His father a Bengali Indian, is a classical Indian musician.
His mother is an Italian American. Other singers in his family include his older sister
Shyamali, who is two years his senior, and his cousin
Camila.
Sanjaya had set his goals early in life and left high school early, electing for a GED in order to focus on a music career and
to participate on American Idol.
Picture : Courtesy
American Idol
Sanjaya has spent four years performing with the Hawaii Children's Theater group.
Also, while in Seattle, he spent three years with the Total Experience Gospel Choir.
His musical talents have been praised by not only Tony Bennet but also
record producers - who say that he has a certain star quality about
him.
Randy, Simon and Paula thought Sanjaya was
good enough to go to Hollywood. In the Seattle Audition, he sang "Signed, Sealed, Delivered"
, Stevie Wonder
On September 19, 2006, Malakar auditioned for American Idol in Seattle, Washington with his 19-year-old sister Shyamali, and both received invitations to the Hollywood round.
He’s courageous for someone of any age! Week after week, he’s been coming out and singing with his chin up and a smile on his
face. A lot of adults can, and do, fold under a lot less pressure than this! To choose to keep coming back week after week,
shows courage, commitment and determination. Regardless of whether you think Sanjaya’s a good singer, you have to give him credit for his tenacity.
Because He Leaves Simon Speechless It takes a special kind of vocal talent to leave Simon Cowell without words. Cowell, whose mastery of creative insults is legendary, has simply given up. "I don't think it matters what we say anymore," he said after one of Sanjaya's performances.
Because He Makes Little Girls
(and Some Grown Men) Cry: Ashley Ferl earned the envy of pre-teen girls across the country when 'Idol' producers made her dream come true. When Sanjaya sang, little Ashley turned on the waterworks.
His Fans Have the Craziest Names - : "Fanjayas.",
"Sanjaya is My Papaya" As long as there are screaming, crying preteen and
teen age girls out there, Sanjaya is the man.
Because he dares to be himself and gets Immortalized on
'SNL' You know you've become a household name when you're parodied on 'Weekend Update' -- and by 'Saturday Night Live' golden child Andy Samberg no less.
Because he dares to be different with his crazy
hair styles Whether flat-ironed, teased into a tizzy or done up in a faux-hawk, his versatile hair makes up for his limited vocal range. Who cares if you sing flat or forget the lyrics? If you are Sanjaya, you put your faith in your luscious locks and the legions of clueless girls who will stand by you come what may.
Because he has
not quit under pressure ! Being
a young singer he hasn't got the experience the others have nor at at the age of
17 is near as mature, but he has not collapsed under pressure and
negative publicity.
