Joshua Ledet | |
|---|---|
 Joshua Ledet | |
| Background information | |
| Born | (1992-04-09)April 9, 1992 (age 33) Westlake, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Genres | |
| Occupation | Singer |
| Instrument | Vocals |
| Years active | 2012–present |
| Labels | Warner Music Group |
| Website | www.joshualedet.com |
Joshua Ledet (born April 9, 1992) is an American singer fromWestlake, Louisiana.[1] In 2012 he placed third in theeleventh season ofAmerican Idol.[2] He is known for his "soaring, church-bred brand of old schoolsoul music."[3] In 2017, he released a self-titled EP.
Ledet grew up in the small woody suburban city of Westlake inLouisiana's Calcasieu Parish, a part of theLake Charles metropolitan area nearCalcasieu River.[4] In 2004, when he was eleven he watched another southern soul singer,Fantasia Barrino, sing "I Believe" in the final show and win thethird season ofAmerican Idol and knew he would like to sing for a living.[5] Ledet graduated from Westlake High School where he was a part of the school's theater program for all four years of school.[1][5][6] The first concert he ever attended was byBeyoncé.[7] He grew up singing and writing music in his family church, the House of Prayer Holiness Church.[1][8] He has a large extended family.[7]
When asked to tell something about himself that would surprise most people he stated it was that he only eats spicy food.[7] He noted on the reality show that he missedLouisiana Creole cuisine so Louisiana Lt. GovernorJay Dardenne established a "Feed the Dream" project with the state's Seafood and Marketing Board to ship Ledet food each week includingtamales,crawfish,boudin (aCajun sausage), (chicken, duck andandouille)gumbo andjambalaya, donated by Louisiana restaurants and food manufacturers.[8][9][10]
According to theAmerican Idol highlights, Ledet was studyingcriminal justice atLamar University inBeaumont, Texas.
On hisAmerican Idol contestant page he notes his mother influences his musical style and he has had no formal singing training.[7] His musical influences includeWhitney Houston,Michael Jackson,Fantasia Barrino,James Brown,Luther Vandross,Stevie Wonder, andElton John.[11] In addition to soul, he enjoyscountry music.[12] When asked what was the most embarrassing song he listens to, he saidAqua's "Barbie Girl."[13]
Ledet originally auditioned a year earlier (for thetenth season), but did not make it past the audition stage.[11] It has been revealed he was dealing with personal and family issues including situations caused byHurricane Rita and its aftermath. His American Idol journey has been seen as somewhat effortless by music critics who note his soul singing is exceptional but may not be contemporary enough, however he is one of the best singers within the last few years ofAI.[14] His performances have repeatedly earned himstanding ovations and high praise from the judges.[15] He says he combatsstage fright by tuning everything out.[7]George Huff (season three in 2004) is the only other Louisiana singer to make the top ten shows.[8]
Ledet auditioned for theeleventh season ofAI inHouston, Texas. He almost did not travel to compete due to hisfear of flying. He has been dubbed "Mantasia", the male version of formerIdol contestantFantasia, by fans, the media and even Fantasia herself.[16][17] For the semi-finals he performedJennifer Hudson's "You Pulled Me Through". He was one of the top five male vote getters and advanced to the top 13. In the top 13, he performedStevie Wonder's "I Wish" and was one of the bottom three male voter getters, but was declared safe.
Ledet earned his first standing ovation in Hollywood Round, Part 3 when he sang his version of Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri. In the Top 8 round, Ledet earned his first standing ovation of the evening for his rendition ofHarold Melvin & the Blue Notes's "If You Don't Know Me by Now". His duet ofGeorge Michael andAretha Franklin's "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" with fellow contestantJessica Sanchez got a second standing ovation from the judges, prompting Jackson to declare "Two of the greatest singers to ever hit this competition ... This is one of the greatest performances I have seen on this show".[18][19] He also performedIt's a Man's Man's Man's World byJames Brown, which was called "one of the best songs in the history of any singing competition," byRandy Jackson.Kris Allen,AIseason eight winner, named the pair as his two favorites this season.[20] During the top five show the judges gave Ledet the most praise of all the contestants for his versions of "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" byThe Temptations (for theme songs from the1960s), and theBee Gees' "To Love Somebody" (for themeBritish Pop).[21] Ledet received a record 18 standing ovations from the judges, including his duet with Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino at Season 11 finale, the most of anyAI contestant.[22] He was eliminated on May 17, 2012, placing third overall with the lowest total of 90 million votes cast.[22]
He took part in theAmerican Idols LIVE! Tour 2012, which began July 6, 2012, and ran till September 21, 2012.[23]
He performed "When a Man Loves a Woman" at the White House on April 9, 2013, at the "Memphis Soul" event. The show aired on April 16, at 8 pm. EST onPBS.
On August 26, 2013, he released an original, self-written song called "Here to Die" through YouTube. It has gained praise fromRolling Stone, which urged record labels to give it a commercial release.[24]
In 2015, Ledet started working on his new material as an independent artist. He recorded a single, "Love Can Do," which was written and produced by Bernie Herms.[25] On March 6, 2015, Ledet performed the single on a local TV show in Indonesia.[26] "Love Can Do" was released by Warner Music Indonesia on August 4, and will be released independently in the United States on September 18.[27]
Ledet performed "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" on the final episode of thefifteenth season ofAmerican Idol.
| Title | Details | Peak chart positions | Sales |
|---|---|---|---|
| US[28] | |||
| American Idol Season 11 Highlights |
| 12 |
|
| Title | Year |
|---|---|
| Joshua Ledet | 2017 |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
