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Sanjaya Malakar

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Sanjaya Joseph Malakar (IPA pronunciation: [sænˈdʒaɪ.ə])[1] (born Sanjaya Shekar Malakar on September 10 1989) was a finalist on sixth season of American Idol. Malakar gained national attention on American Idol advancing to 7th place with public votes, despite being badly received by the show's judges, particularly Simon Cowell.[2]

Biography

Early years

Sanjaya Malakar (Bengali: সঞ্জয় মালাকার) was born in the Seattle metropolitan area,[3] the son of a Bengali Indian father,[4] Vasudeva Malakar, who had emigrated to the United States as a Hare Krishna pujari,[5] and an Italian American mother Jillian Recchi Blyth,[6] who are both followers of the Vaishnava Hindu religion.[7][8] His parents filed for divorce when he was three years old, and had been separated for a year prior to filing for divorce. When the divorce was filed, the family had almost no money coming in. His mother and the children were living in a Seattle apartment, and her only income was from welfare. His mother remarried, but his stepfather died soon afterwards.[7] In 1995, Malakar's middle name was changed to Joseph to honor his late grandfather Joseph Paul Recchi Sr., whom Malakar cites as his hero [9]. Although Malakar spent the majority of his formative years in the Seattle area, he has also lived in California[3] and Kauai, Hawaii[10] where he performed with the Hawaii Children's Theater group. While in Seattle, he spent three years with the Total Experience Gospel Choir.[11]

Malakar's father is a classical Indian musician[12][13]. Other singers in his family include his older sister Shyamali,[14] and his cousin Camila Recchi.[3]

Malakar attended the Seattle Waldorf School and Northshore Junior High School for middle school in Bothell, Washington. He attended Shorecrest High School in Shoreline, Washington during freshman year, and Todd Beamer High School in Federal Way, Washington during sophomore year. After his sophomore year, Malakar passed the General Educational Development test, in order to leave high school early and focus on a music career and on his participation in American Idol.[3]

American Idol

On September 19 2006, Sanjaya Malakar, entered the open audition for American Idol at the Seattle Center in Seattle, with his sister Shyamali (who was a student of The Evergreen State College and resident of Lacey, Washington).[15] After his audition, Simon Cowell commented that Sanjaya had a better voice than his sister. Both were advanced to the Hollywood round unanimously by the judges. Malakar cited Stevie Wonder as his idol, and sang one of Wonder's signature songs, "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)" at his Seattle audition.[3]

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, though Simon Cowell admitted that Malakar is popular with the voters while Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul gave a more positive appraisal of his "You Really Got Me" performance in the Top 11.[citation needed] A 13-year-old girl named Ashley Ferl was highlighted repeatedly during Malakar's performance in the Top 11 episode, crying tears of joy, although Ferl also cried for Melinda Doolittle, Jordin Sparks, and many other contestants.[16]

On March 27 2007, Malakar sang No Doubt's "Bathwater" wearing a strikingly peculiar fauxhawk made from multiple ponytails. The style was called the "ponyhawk" by host Ryan Seacrest.[17] While singing, Malakar forgot some of the words to the song.[18] The following night, host Seacrest walked out on stage wearing a wig with the same hairstyle, parodying Malakar.[17]

On April 3, Tony Bennett was the featured celebrity on the show, and he met with each performer. Malakar sang "Cheek to Cheek", wearing a white suit, donning a slick hairstyle (with a recent cut), and dancing with judge Paula Abdul. On the following April 4 results show, it was revealed that Malakar had finished in the "middle three," among nine contestants.

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 rehearsals Jennifer 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] Singing his farewell performance, after the line "let's give them something to talk about", he ad libbed "other than hair" in place of "how about love".[24]

American Idol's ratings dropped 9% in the episode following Malakar's elimination, which was Idol Gives Back, a charity episode featuring many celebrity guests. The music news website Moldolva.org that reported this directly correlated it to Malakar's departure. [25]

On the May 23 American Idol finale show he performed with the top six males, introduced Smokey Robinson in the medley. Sanjaya Malakar performed "You Really Got Me" with Aerosmith' musician Joe Perry on guitar, being the only contestant below 3rd place to be featured in a solo on an American Idol finale.[26]

Performances

Week Song Choice Original Artist Result
Open Audition Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours) Stevie Wonder Safe
Top 40 Some Kind of Wonderful Grand Funk Railroad Safe
Top 24 Knocks Me Off My Feet Stevie Wonder Top 4 Guys
Top 20 Steppin' Out With My Baby Irving Berlin Safe
Top 16 Waiting On the World to Change John Mayer Safe
Top 12 Ain't No Mountain High Enough Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell Bottom 2
Top 11 You Really Got Me The Kinks Safe
Top 10 Bathwater No Doubt Safe
Top 9 Cheek to Cheek Irving Berlin Middle 3
Top 8 Bésame Mucho Consuelo Velázquez Safe
Top 7 Something to Talk About Bonnie Raitt Eliminated


Public reaction

Sanjaya Malakar was the season's most talked about American Idol contestant, based on articles and searches conducted on the Internet. [27][28]

One American Idol fan on MySpace claimed to be on a hunger strike until Malakar was voted off. She later admitted that she was canceling her strike, after Sanjaya's stay was longer than expected. In her YouTube video, an advertisement was prominently displayed, causing speculation her hunger strike was really for profit.[29] 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 such as Sanjaya-Idol, appearing to portray Malakar in a more satirical but supportive way. Websites parodying Malakar's success have recently appeared.[30][31].

Simon Cowell told Extra that had Malakar won, he would not have returned as a judge to the show,[32] even though he is contractually obligated to return.[33] The show's executive producer predicted that Malakar would not win.[33] Some commentators have remarked that the judges seemed to have stopped giving thoughtful critiques of Malakar's performances due to their disdain that he had gone so far in the competition.[34][35][36] 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. Some believe that it would have been a turning point leading toward decline and eventual cancellation for American Idol if Malakar had won.[37] Others, however, believe that the franchise is benefiting from the publicity, which is more than in any recent season of Idol.[38] On the April 17 broadcast of American Idol, Simon 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 it [Malakar's performance] was hideous."

The weblog Vote for the Worst had Malakar as its current "pick" for the sixth season top 12 until he was eliminated. Previous candidates Antonella Barba and Sundance Head were supported by the website, but were eliminated nonetheless.[39] 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". [40][41][42] Some Stern regulars claimed to have voted for Malakar over 300 times -- largely in hopes of tormenting American Idol traditionalists on the show.[43][44] (Later, when asked for a reaction, Malakar told Jimmy Kimmel that his aunt had voted 1,100 times.")[45][44]

The fan reaction of Ashley Ferl was satirized on the March 24 2007 broadcast of Saturday Night Live, during the Weekend Update segment. Malakar was portrayed by Andy Samberg, and the crying girl was portrayed by Kristin Wiig. Also feigning tears in the audience were Fred Armisen and Dan 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 host Scarlett Johansson. [46]

The controversy spawned colloquialisms associated with Malakar's name, such as a "Fanjaya" to denote a Sanjaya fan.

Post-American Idol

Shortly after being eliminated, Malakar was invited to the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner as a People Magazine guest, where he met President George W Bush. [47] Malakar was popular among the press and fans at the dinner, and was even prompted for an autograph by New York Governor Eliot Spitzer.[48]

Malakar was featured in US Magazine's April 20 2007 issue in an article entitled "Sanjaya Speaks" [49], where he was asked about his reactions to the parodies, Simon Cowell, Howard Stern and to his new celebrity status.

Malakar was featured in the May 7 2007 issue of People Magazine, where he talked about his American Idol run, his younger years, and future aspirations. The article mentions that he was raised vegetarian, a diet he still mainly follows.[50]

Malakar ranked third in TIME Magazine's 2007 TIME 100 POLL for The Most Influential People of the Year, based on online public votes, but was not mentioned in the magazine's official list.[51]

Nominated by TV.com's Fashion Awards, Sanjaya Malakar won in the categories of ON AIR: Best Hair - Male,[52] and OFF AIR: Best Trendsetter - Male, by public votes.[53]

Malakar was nominated for "Best Reality Show Star" in AZN Television's annual Asian Excellence Awards [54], and was a presenter at the awards ceremony [55] aired May 24 2007 on E!, and May 28 2007 on AZN-TV.[56]

Homecoming

The Federal Way City Council, initially unable to find his address or whereabouts[57], announced plans to honor Malakar. Sanjaya Malakar was greeted by screaming fans at The Commons at Federal Way,[58] and was praised by the city's Mayor Michael Park and King County Council member Peter von Reichbauer for serving as a great role model [59], with Park stating "Sanjaya's charismatic personality, contagious smile, positive attitude and enthusiastic pursuit of his dreams are qualities to be admired."[60] Malakar was presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the city [61] and declaration of "South King County Sanjaya Malakar Day". In May 2007, he was also honored at Seattle Center in Seattle, Washington, [62] where he was greeted by fans, signed autographs and answered questions. [63] The council had received 200 e-mails from around the country asking the city to honor Malakar.[64]

Television appearances

In addition to American Idol, in the months following, Malakar made after-show appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Access Hollywood, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, Best Week Ever, The Morning Show With Mike and Juliet, Extra, The Early Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live[65] and The Rachel Ray Show.[66]. Additionally, he appeared as a guest on Nickelodeon's afternoon block, ME:TV, where he "got slimed".[67]

Malakar appeared with the rest of the Top 10 on both Larry King Live [68] and Access Hollywood,[69].

AI Concert Tour

Since Malakar placed in the top 10, he qualified to perform as part of the 2007 American Idol Concert Tour,[70] which, within three months, visits over 50 cities in Canada and the US.[71]

Career

Malakar and his sister, Shyamali, are planning to sing together in the future.[24] Although he also eventually plans on going to the Berklee College of Music with her, Malakar would like to have "the full entertainment business and career,"[72] including music, acting, modeling, and any other opportunities that arise.[73] Upon meeting Billy Ray Cyrus, Malakar reported discussing a guest spot on Disney Channel's Hannah Montana in an April 20, 2007 interview with Access Hollywood [74].

On May 22, 2007, a one-minute short "I Am Art", co-produced with Will Ferrell, was released online with Sanjaya Malakar playing Bill Vendall, a 25 year-old graduate student of the arts, who created the character 'Sanjaya Malakar', who appeared on American Idol, as an installment of his thesis [75]. Malakar released a follow-up video explaining it was a joke, since some believed Bill Vendall was real.[76]

On June 8, 2007 it was announced on CNN that he landed a role in the 6th Harry Potter film. When asked about the role, he said:

"I never expected that I would be offered something like this, so soon after the finale of American Idol."

Filmography

Template:Persondata

Wikiquote has quotations related to Sanjaya Malakar.


References

  1. ^ inogolo: Name Pronunciation Guide
  2. ^ Sanjaya becoming the biggest obsession of Americans
  3. ^ a b c d e "Sanjaya Malakar on American Idol". Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  4. ^ Mira Kamdar (Asia Society). Sanjaya: Giving Them Something to Talk About, ABC News, April 19 2007.
  5. ^ Arthur J Pais. "Sanjaya Malakar out of American Idol". Retrieved 2007-04-22.
  6. ^ TVGuide
  7. ^ a b "Sanjaya's Secret Heartache". Retrieved 2007-04-12.
  8. ^ Mark Murphy (2007-04-12). "Sanjaya's Sis Takes on the Hair, the Heckling and Her Brother's American Idol Fate". {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  9. ^ America Idol Season Six Top 24 Contestant Sanjaya Malakar
  10. ^ "Sanjaya surprises some after surviving 'Idol' cut". Retrieved 2007-03-22.
  11. ^ "Idol" contestant Sanjaya once distracted teachers; now it's a nation
  12. ^ "Next American Idol may be Indian". Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  13. ^ "Stars of South Asian descent are on the ascent". 2007-04-13. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  14. ^ "Photos Season 6 American Idol: Shyamali Malakar". 2007-04-12. Retrieved 2007-04-12. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  15. ^ Nl.newsback.com
  16. ^ "Dreams do come true for 'Idol' fan". Retrieved 2007-03-22.
  17. ^ a b Ryan Seacrest Gets Everyone Laughing
  18. ^ REALITY TV CHECK: Po-Hawk Nation and Found Idols
  19. ^ Sanjaya Malakar voted off of American Idol
  20. ^ American Idol Top Eight – Sanjaya One Of The Smartest Contestants Ever
  21. ^ CNN.com
  22. ^ Yahoo! News
  23. ^ "American Idol 6 - America Says Sayonara To Sanjaya Malakar". Retrieved 2007-04-19.
  24. ^ a b He May Be Gone, But Sanjaya Is Still Our Papaya
  25. ^ "American Idol" highest ratings due to Sanjaya
  26. ^ Aerosmith to rock India for the first time
  27. ^ Buh-Bye-Ya, Sanjaya!
  28. ^ Sanjaya's Hair Raising Searches
  29. ^ "Sanjaya Malakar Inspires a Hunger Strike". 2007-03-21. Retrieved 2007-03-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  30. ^ http://www.ifsanjayawins.com Retrieved June 22, '07
  31. ^ http://www.sanjayatheapocalypse.com Retrieved June 22, '07
  32. ^ "NY Times". Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  33. ^ a b "AZ Central - Idol Producer". Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  34. ^ "Simon has no words for Sanjaya". Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  35. ^ "Has Sanjaya Malakar ruined the "American Idol" judges?". Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  36. ^ "Send In the Clowns. Don't Bother, Sanjaya's Here". Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  37. ^ "Why worst crooner's voice may topple American Idol". Retrieved 2007-04-15. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  38. ^ "NY Times". Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  39. ^ "Vote For The Worst - Sanjaya Malakar". 2007-03-21. Retrieved 2007-03-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  40. ^ Howard Stern Corrupts Idol!
  41. ^ Harris, Chris (2007-03-20). "Is Howard Stern Behind Sanjaya Malakar's Staying Power On 'Idol'?". MTV News. Retrieved 2007-03-22. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  42. ^ Wyatt, Edward (2007-03-31). "Howard Stern Tries to Kill 'American Idol' With Kindness for a Weak Link". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved 2007-04-03. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  43. ^ Vote for the Worst American Idol
  44. ^ a b Sanjaya On JImmy Kimmel Show 04/26/07
  45. ^ http://ultrabrown.com/
  46. ^ Saturday Night Live, March 24 2007
  47. ^ Sanjaya to attend Correspondents' dinner
  48. ^ Sanjaya's a Hit at White House Correspondents' Dinner
  49. ^ http://www.usmagazine.com/sanjaya_speaks
  50. ^ May 7, 2007 - People Magazine
  51. ^ The TIME 100 - Sanjaya Malakar
  52. ^ ON AIR: Best Hair - Male
  53. ^ Best Trendsetter
  54. ^ AXA Awards
  55. ^ Star Tracks
  56. ^ Island stars part of Asian TV awards in Los Angeles
  57. ^ Maynard, Steve. "Star search: Where's Sanjaya?". Retrieved 2007-04-28.
  58. ^ Crowd goes gaga over Sanjaya
  59. ^ Seattle Pi
  60. ^ Sanjaya Malakar honored for his unlikely 'American Idol 6' journey
  61. ^ Sanjaya Source Affiliate
  62. ^ Seattle’s Own Sanjaya Returns Home For A Very Special Appearance At The Seattle Center
  63. ^ http://www.rickey.org/?cat=129
  64. ^ Watch out mall walkers, here comes Sanjaya!
  65. ^ Credits - Sanjaya Malakar
  66. ^ 2007 - Biggest Month Ever
  67. ^ Sanjaya Gets Slimed!
  68. ^ Show Airings
  69. ^ Life After 'Idol:' Finalists Visit Access Hollywood
  70. ^ American Idols Live Tour '07 Info Here
  71. ^ Sanjaya is doing great
  72. ^ Sanjaya after ‘Idol’: Singer? Actor? Model?
  73. ^ Sanjaya looks at busy life after `American Idol'
  74. ^ What's Next For Sanjaya?
  75. ^ A.M. Surf Report: Green Day Rumored For 'American Idol' Finale; Sanjaya Claims He's An Art Project; Benzino Has Plans For Eminem
  76. ^ ROLL CALL: Sanjaya Gets Surreal & Rosie Responds To Fans
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