Sanjaya Malakar | |
|---|---|
 Sanjaya Malakar at the Mural Amphitheater, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA on May 12, 2007. | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Sanjaya Joseph Malakar (1989-09-10)September 10, 1989 (age 36) Seattle, Washington, U.S. |
| Origin | Federal Way, Washington, U.S. |
| Genres | Pop |
| Occupations | Singer, realitytelevision personality, writer, pastry chef |
| Instruments | Vocals, guitar,keyboard |
| Years active | 2006–present |
Sanjaya Joseph Malakar (born September 10, 1989) is an American singer who was a finalist on thesixth season ofAmerican Idol. He gained national attention on the series, controversially advancing to 7th place with public votes despite being poorly received by the show's judges, particularlySimon Cowell.[1][2][3]
AfterIdol, Malakar made many television guest appearances and has been commonly parodied in popular culture. He placed fifth in thesecond season of the reality television showI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!.
Malakar was born inSeattle, Washington[4] the son of Vasudeva Malakar, aBengaliIndian immigrant born inVrindavan, India[5] and Jillian (Recchi) Blyth, an American ofItalian descent on one side and Dutch, English, and Irish ancestry on the other.[6] He later lived in the nearby suburb ofFederal Way.[7] His parents filed for divorce when he was three years old and they had already been separated for a year. He and his mother and siblings then lived on welfare in a Seattle apartment.[citation needed]. His mother remarried, but his stepfather died soon afterwards.[8] Although Malakar spent the majority of his formative years in the Seattle area, he has also lived in both California[7] andKauaʻi, Hawaii,[9] where he performed with the Hawaii Children's Theater group. While in Seattle, he spent three years with theTotal Experience Gospel Choir.[10]
Malakar attended Martha Lake Elementary School inLynnwood, Washington for elementary school, and theSeattle Waldorf School and Northshore Junior High School for middle school inBothell, Washington. He attendedShorecrest High School inShoreline, Washington during freshman year, andTodd Beamer High School inFederal Way, Washington during sophomore year.[11][12] After his sophomore year, Malakar passed theGeneral Educational Development test, in order to leave high school early and focus on a music career and on his participation inAmerican Idol.[7]
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On September 19, 2006, Malakar, a shy teen,[13] entered the open audition forAmerican Idol at Seattle Center inSeattle, with his sister Shyamali. Simon Cowell commented that Sanjaya had a better voice than his sister. Both were advanced to the Hollywood round by the judges. Malakar citedStevie Wonder as his idol, and sang one of Wonder's signature songs, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" at his Seattle audition.[7]
For his next performance, in Hollywood, Malakar sang "Some Kind of Wonderful". He was shown tearfully embracing his sister when she was cut, though he progressed to the Top 40. Next, Malakar sang "Ain't No Mountain High Enough". The judges were largely critical of his performance, thoughSimon Cowell admitted that Malakar was popular with the voters whileRandy Jackson andPaula Abdul gave a more positive appraisal of his "You Really Got Me" performance in the Top 11.[citation needed] A 13-year-old girl namedAshley Ferl was highlighted repeatedly during Malakar's performance in the Top 11 episode, crying tears of joy, although Ferl also cried forMelinda Doolittle,Jordin Sparks, and many other contestants.[14]
On March 27, 2007, Malakar sangNo Doubt's "Bathwater" wearing afauxhawk made from multiple ponytails. The style was called the "ponyhawk" by hostRyan Seacrest.[15] While singing, Malakar hesitated with some of the words to the song.[16] Simon Cowell remarked, "Sanjaya, I don't think it matters anymore what we say ... I think you are in your own universe and if people like you, good luck." The following night, host Seacrest walked out on stage wearing a wig with the same hairstyle, parodying Malakar.[15]
On April 3, Malakar sang "Cheek to Cheek", wearing a white suit, donning a slick hairstyle (with a recent cut), and dancing with judge Paula Abdul. Abdul commented, "I get it. I get why people love you. You are charming."[17] On the following April 4 results show, it was revealed that Malakar had finished in the "middle three," among nine contestants.[18]
Malakar's performance of "Bésame Mucho" in the Top 8 on April 10 was his first unanimously well-received performance by the judges in the finals of the competition. During rehearsalsJennifer Lopez remarked, "I like this kid. I love Sanjaya!" after hearing him sing in Spanish, the only one of the remaining eight contestants to do so on the Latin-theme night.[19] Randy Jackson commented, "You're one of the smartest contestants I've ever met. That was actually really good. It was," while Simon Cowell offered the halting, "I'm going to hate myself for this. It wasn't horrible."[20] Malakar continued on, entering the Top 7, following that performance on the April 11 results show.
After performing "Something to Talk About" on the previous night, Malakar was placed in the bottom three and was subsequently eliminated in 7th place on April 18, 2007.[21][22][23][24][25][26] Singing his farewell performance, after the line "let's give them something to talk about", head libbed "other than hair" in place of "how about love".[27]
American Idol's ratings dropped 9% in the episode following Malakar's elimination, which wasIdol Gives Back, a charity episode featuring many celebrity guests. The music news website Moldolva.org claimed that this was due to Malakar's departure.[28]
On the May 23American Idol finale, he performed with the top six males, introducedSmokey Robinson in the medley. Malakar performed "You Really Got Me" withAerosmith guitaristJoe Perry on guitar.[29]
| Week | Theme | Song Choice | Original Artist | Order | Result | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 24 (12 Men) | N/A | "Knocks Me Off My Feet" | Stevie Wonder | 8 | Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 20 (10 Men) | N/A | "Steppin' Out with My Baby" | Irving Berlin | 4 | Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 16 (8 Men) | N/A | "Waiting on the World to Change" | John Mayer | 2 | Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 12 | Diana Ross | "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" | Marvin Gaye &Tammi Terrell | 5 | Bottom 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 11 | British Invasion | "You Really Got Me" | The Kinks | 8 | Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 10 | No Doubt/Artists who inspireGwen Stefani | "Bathwater" | No Doubt | 4 | Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 9 | American Classics | "Cheek to Cheek" | Irving Berlin | 7 | Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 8 | Latin | "Bésame Mucho" | Consuelo Velázquez | 8 | Safe | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Top 7 | Country | "Something to Talk About" | Bonnie Raitt | 3 | Eliminated |
Malakar was the season's most talked aboutAmerican Idol contestant, based on articles and searches conducted on the Internet.[30][31] OneAmerican Idol fan on MySpace claimed to be on ahunger strike until Malakar was voted off; she later admitted that she was canceling her strike, after his stay was longer than expected. In her YouTube video, an advertisement for a dating site was prominently displayed, causing speculation her hunger strike was really for profit.[32] Other members of the MySpace online community created a page entitled Team Sanjaya in support for him. However, members of the online community have contributed semi-fictional web sites, appearing to portray Malakar in a more satirical but supportive way. Websites parodying Malakar's success had also appeared.[33][34]
An official fansite for Malakar was created with approval of and contributions by the entertainer and his mother Jillian Blyth,[35] and archives include in-person reports for each2007 American Idol Concert Tour event.
Simon Cowell toldExtra that had Malakar won, he would not have returned as a judge to the show,[36] even though he was contractually obligated to return.[37] The show's executive producer predicted that Malakar would not win.[37] Some commentators have remarked that the judges seemed to have stopped giving thoughtful critiques of Malakar's performances.[38][39][40] The judges seemed stunned by his large following of voters.[41] Randy Jackson went as far to remark that "I cannot even say anything on the vocals anymore", in his critique of Malakar after his performance during the top nine. Chris Ayres ofThe Times speculated that it would have been a turning point leading toward decline and eventual cancellation forAmerican Idol if Malakar had won.[42] Others, however, believe that the franchise benefited from the publicity, which was more popular than previous seasons ofIdol.[43] On the April 17 broadcast ofAmerican Idol, Cowell further said of the controversy, "I know this has been funny for a while, but based on the fact that we are supposed to be finding the next American Idol [Malakar's performance] was hideous."
The weblogVote for the Worst had Malakar as its current "pick" for the sixth season top 12 until he was eliminated. On March 19, 2007,Howard Stern campaigned for his radio show listeners to join the weblog in voting for Malakar "to corrupt the No.1 show on television".[44][45][46] Some Stern regulars claimed to have voted for Malakar over 300 times—largely in hopes of tormentingAmerican Idol traditionalists on the show.[47][48] Later, when asked for a reaction, Malakar toldJimmy Kimmel that his aunt had voted 1,100 times.[48][49]
The fan reaction ofAshley Ferl was satirized on the March 24, 2007 broadcast ofSaturday Night Live, during theWeekend Update segment. Malakar was portrayed byAndy Samberg, and the crying girl was portrayed byKristen Wiig. Also feigning tears in the audience wereFred Armisen andDan Aykroyd. Samberg portrayed Malakar again during the monologue of the April 21, 2007 episode, singing the song "Something To Talk About" as a duet with hostScarlett Johansson.[50] The controversy spawned colloquialisms associated with Malakar's name, such as "Sanjayamania"[51] and "Fanjaya" to denote a Sanjaya fan.
After receiving over 200 e-mails from around the country asking the city to honor Malakar,[52] especially in light of the city ofBothell declaring aBlake Lewis day for his fellowIdol contestant, theFederal Way City Council claimed it was unable to find any information about him, or any ties to the city.[53]City Manager Neal Beets dismissed the calls, saying the city "had more important things to deal with" and derided Malakar as an "'Idol' wannabe."[54][55] In response to the city's dismissiveness, the local mall,The Commons at Federal Way, independently tracked down Malakar and arranged an appearance at the mall. Malakar was greeted by screaming fans at the event,[56]and was praised by the city's Mayor Michael Park and King County Council memberPete von Reichbauer for serving as a great role model,[57] with Park stating "Sanjaya's charismatic personality, contagious smile, positive attitude and enthusiastic pursuit of his dreams are qualities to be admired."[58] Malakar was presented a Certificate of Appreciation from Mayor Park[59] and declaration of "South King County Sanjaya Malakar Day" by county councilmember von Reichbauer. In May 2007, he was also honored atSeattle Center inSeattle, Washington,[60]where he was greeted by fans, signed autographs and answered questions.[61]
Since Malakar placed in the top 10, he qualified to perform as part of the2007 American Idol Concert Tour,[62] which, over three months, visited over 50 cities in Canada and U.S.[63] He performedMichael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" during the tour.
Shortly after his run onAmerican Idol ended, Malakar attended theWhite House Correspondents' Association Dinner as aPeople magazine guest, where he saw then-PresidentGeorge W. Bush. Malakar was popular among the press and fans at the dinner, and was even prompted for an autograph by then-New York GovernorEliot Spitzer.[64]
Several magazines honored the singer, includingUs Weekly,People,TIME, andTeen. He was featured inUs Magazine's April 20, 2007, issue in an article entitled "Sanjaya Speaks",[65] where he was asked about his reactions to the parodies, Simon Cowell, Howard Stern and to his new celebrity status. He was featured in the May 7, 2007, issue ofPeople, where he talked about hisAmerican Idol run, his younger years, and future aspirations. The article mentions that he was raised vegetarian, a diet he no longer follows.[66] InTIME's 2007 "TIME 100 POLL for The Most Influential People of the Year", based on online public votes, he ranked third.[67] He was nominated forTeen's 2007 "Top Ten Most Cutest".[68]
Award shows acknowledged Malakar, as well. He won two ofTV.com's Fashion Awards, in the categories of "ON AIR: Best Hair – Male",[69] and "OFF AIR: Best Trendsetter – Male", by public votes.[70] He was nominated for "Best Reality Show Star" inAZN Television's annual Asian Excellence Awards[71] and was a presenter at the awards ceremony[72] aired May 24, 2007 onE! and May 28, 2007 on AZN-TV.[73] At the 2007Teen Choice Awards on August 26, he was named "Best TV Reality Star".[74][75] He grabbed a nomination and a win for Fox's 2007 Golden Realitini Awards. At the October 13, 2007 show, he was nominated for "Most Memorable Reality Personality of the Year", and he won the "Favorite Reality Game Loser" award at the awards ceremony, where he was a presenter. Malakar won Fox's 2007 Golden Realitini Award for Favorite Reality Game Loser aired.[76] "Sanjaya's Ponyhawk" was ranked as No. 3 in the 2007 "Top TV Moment" video searches byAOL.[77]
In the months followingIdol, Malakar appeared as a guest on multiple television shows, includingThe Tonight Show with Jay Leno,[78]Access Hollywood,The Today Show,Good Morning America,Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?,Live with Regis and Kelly,The Ellen DeGeneres Show, theLate Show with David Letterman,The Morning Show,Extra,The Early Show,Jimmy Kimmel Live![79] andThe Rachel Ray Show.[80] Additionally, he got "slimed" onNickelodeon.[81] He also appeared with the rest of the top 10 onLarry King Live,[82]Access Hollywood, andGood Day L.A.[83]
Upon meetingBilly Ray Cyrus, Malakar reported discussing a guest spot on Disney Channel'sHannah Montana in an April 20, 2007 interview with Access Hollywood. His name was mentioned in a 2007 episode, but no physical appearance was made.[84]
On May 22, 2007, a one-minute shortI Am Art, co-produced withWill Ferrell, was released online with Malakar playing Bill Vendall, a 25-year-old graduate student of the arts, who created the character "Sanjaya Malakar" to appear onAmerican Idol, as an installment of histhesis.[85] Malakar released a follow-up video explaining it was a joke, since some believed Bill Vendall was real.[86]
Malakar also hosted anAmerican Idol show on theTV Guide channel calledIdol Stars: Where Are They Now?, talking about what pastIdol stars are currently doing. Malakar also mentioned that he was continuing music and he helped write the book,Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul. Malakar also wrote an autobiography entitledDancing to the Music in My Head: Memoirs of the People's Idol in 2009. He reported that he received a $100,000 advance for the book.[87] In India, Malakar received his first acting role, where he starred in aNationwide Mutual Insurance Company commercial, where he seeks help from aguru.
In May–June 2009, he starred in the reality showsecond season of the reality television showI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! along withTorrie Wilson,Holly Montag,Heidi Montag,Spencer Pratt,Stephen Baldwin,Daniel Baldwin,Janice Dickinson,Lou Diamond Phillips,John Salley,Frangela, andPatti Blagojevich.[88][89] On the show he earned the nickname "Jungle Boy" in recognition of how comfortable he appeared in the jungle.[90] He developed a close friendship with the older Holly Montag, as such, her sister Heidi had dubbed them "SanJolly". They have stated that they are not in a relationship, but do spend considerable time together.
In May 2010,Seattle Weekly reported that Malakar was working as a singer forPagliacci Pizza, a Seattle-based pizzeria chain.[91]
On February 23, 2011, Malakar joined the off-Broadway musicalFreckleface Strawberry at New World Stages.[92]
On February 26, 2011, Malakar was a guest judge for the finals of local Seattle talent competition, "Seattle Superstar Search."[93]
In July 2011 Malakar toured the United States with the band, The Brave Chandeliers.[citation needed]
As of May 2012, Malakar was a bartender living inQueens, New York. Of the money he made, Malakar admitted most has been lost: "I was young. I didn't know anything. Some people took advantage. Some skimmed a little off the top, financially."[94]
As of April 2014, Malakar quit working at an East Village bar to have more time and energy to focus on his music, including his work-in-progress,Life ~ Love ~ Music, and his focus on studio covers.[95]
On July 14, 2016 he performed at theSuquamish Clearwater Casino Resort inSuquamish, Washington as part of their Free Summer Lawn Concert series.[96]
Malakar sings seven jazz standards on the albumGood Merlin by The Chaz Lipp Groove Tripp. The album was released on June 23, 2017[97] and Malakar has received positive reviews for his performance. Writing for The Morton Report,Bill Bentley (record producer) says Malakar's voice "goes directly for the core of these American songbook standards."[98] Bill Buckley of the U.K.-based SoulandFunkandJazz describes Malakar's "remarkable voice" as "different, unusual, unexpected."[99]Blogcritics writer Rhetta Akamatsu rated the album 96/100 largely due to Malakar's "incredible, flexible voice."[100] Ronald Jackson of The Smooth Jazz Ride website says "Sanjaya Malakar is truly a singer with brilliant pipes... His passion is clear and bold on each track he engages. Great range and control."[101]
Malakar's American Idol CD albumSanjaya Malakar, and some singles were offered on iTunes starting June 10, 2007. The Sanjaya Malakar album has reached Top 100 Pop Albums in sales.[102] Malakar's EPDancing to the Music in my Head was released on January 20, 2009. Songs from the EP include the singles "A Guy Like Me" and "A Quintessential Lullaby". The EP was released the same day as Malakar's book, titled the same as the EP.[103] In 2011, he is also releasing his albumLife ~ Love ~ Music with the pre-release debut single from the album being a cover of "Tempted",[104] a 1981 hit fromSqueeze.
| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Sanjaya Malakar | EP |
| American Idol Season 6: The Collector's Edition | ||
| American Idol Season 6: Greatest Hits | ||
| 2009 | Dancing to the Music in my Head | |
| 2011 | Life ~ Love ~ Music |
| Year | Title | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" | EP |
| "You Really Got Me" | ||
| "Bathwater" | ||
| "Cheek to Cheek" | ||
| "Bésame Mucho" | ||
| "Something to Talk About" | ||
| 2011 | "Tempted" | Life ~ Love ~ Music |
In a 2022 interview, Malakar revealed that he was working as a pastry chef in Montana after walking away from the entertainment industry. He also mentioned that he identified as bisexual.[105]
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