Boasting a smile and an array of funky hairstyles way bigger than his puny voice, this sweet aspiring singer was totally out of his league on the sixth season of
American Idol. In fact, when he beat out Sundance Head to make it to the finals, Simon Cowell wondered if the viewers had turned down the sound on their TV sets before voting, and the poor 17-year old looked like he was going to cry. Despite the judge's harsh words, Malakar — the first contestant of Indian descent to make it to the top 12 — had more longevity than anticipated. Although he became a national joke and endured weeks of insults and taunts from Cowell, the media and the public at large, Malakar kept hanging on. But all bad things must come to an end: On April 19, 2007, he was finally voted off. Yet considering his lack of talent — Cowell routinely called him a karaoke singer — making it to the final seven was quite a coup, and Malakar left with a number of entertainment offers on the table.
Sanjaya Malakar Fast Facts:
- Participated in Hawaii Children's Theatre productions in Lihue in his youth and knows how to hula.
- Auditioned for American Idol in Seattle with his sister Shyamali. While they both made it to the Hollywood round, she was cut on the final day.
- Was offered a free lifetime supply of Kentucky Fried Chicken's Famous Bowls if he agreed to sport a bowl haircut.
- Sanjaya Malakar Relationships:
- Jillian Blyth - Mother
- Joseph Paul Recchi Sr. - Grandfather
- Shyamali Malakar - Sister
- Vasudeva Malakar - Father
