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Revision as of 18:10, 29 October 2008

Template:Infobox musical artist 2

Sanjaya Joseph Malakar (Template:PronEng; Bengali: সঞ্জয় মালাকার)[1] (born September 10, 1989) was a finalist on the 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 was born in the Seattle metropolitan area in the large suburb of Federal Way,[3] the son of a Bengali Indian father,[4] Vasudeva Malakar, who had emigrated to the United States as a Hare Krishna pujari (priest),[5] and an Italian American mother Jillian Recchi Blyth,[6] who are both followers of the Vaishnava Hinduism.[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 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, a shy teen,[12] entered the open audition for American Idol at the Seattle Center in Seattle, with his sister Shyamali. 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.[13]

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.[14] While singing, Malakar hesitated with some of the words to the song.[15] 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.[14]

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. Abdul commented " I get it. I get why people love you. You are charming." [16] On the following April 4 results show, it was revealed that Malakar had finished in the "middle three," among nine contestants.[17]

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.[18] 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."[19] 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.[20][21] 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".[22]

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.[23]

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 guitarist Joe Perry on guitar, being the only contestant below 3rd place to be featured in a solo on an American Idol finale.[24]

Performances during voting weeks

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" The Supremes 5 Bottom 2
Top 11 British Invasion "You Really Got Me" The Kinks 8 Safe
Top 10 No Doubt/Artists who inspire Gwen 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


Public reaction

Sanjaya Malakar was the season's most talked about American Idol contestant, based on articles and searches conducted on the Internet.[25][26]

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.[27] 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 had also appeared.[28][29] An official fansite for Sanjaya, Daze of Fire, was created with approval of and contributions by Sanjaya (blog) and his mother Jillian Blyth [30] (discussions), and archives include in-person reports for each 2007 American Idol Concert Tour event.

Simon Cowell told Extra that had Malakar won, he would not have returned as a judge to the show,[31] even though he is contractually obligated to return.[32] The show's executive producer predicted that Malakar would not win.[32] Some commentators have remarked that the judges seemed to have stopped giving thoughtful critiques of Malakar's performances.[33][34][35] The judges seemed stunned by his large following of voters.[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. Chris Ayres of The Times speculated 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 benefited from the publicity, which was 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 1100 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 Kristen 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 "Sanjayamania" [47] and "Fanjaya" to denote a Sanjaya fan.

Post-American Idol

Homecoming

The Federal Way City Council, initially unable to find his address or whereabouts,[48] announced plans to honor Malakar. Sanjaya Malakar was greeted by screaming fans at The Commons at Federal Way,[49] 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,[50] with Park stating "Sanjaya's charismatic personality, contagious smile, positive attitude and enthusiastic pursuit of his dreams are qualities to be admired."[51] Malakar was presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the city[52] and declaration of "South King County Sanjaya Malakar Day". In May 2007, he was also honored at Seattle Center in Seattle, Washington,[53] where he was greeted by fans, signed autographs and answered questions.[54] The council had received 200 e-mails from around the country asking the city to honor Malakar.[55]

Malakar (with fellow Idol contestant Melinda Doolittle) performs on the AI Tour.

Television appearances

In addition to Idol, in the months following, Malakar appeared on The Tonight Show,[56] Access Hollywood, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Late Show, The Morning Show, Extra, The Early Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live[57] and The Rachel Ray Show.[58] Additionally, he got "slimed" on Nickelodeon.[59] He also appeared with the rest of the top 10 on Larry King Live,[60] Access Hollywood, and Good Day L.A.[61]

American Idol Concert Tour

Since Malakar placed in the top 10, he qualified to perform as part of the 2007 American Idol Concert Tour,[62] which, over three months, visited over 50 cities in Canada and the US.[63]

Accolades

Shortly after his run on American Idol ended, Malakar attended the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner as a People Magazine guest, where he saw President George W Bush.[64] Malakar was popular among the press and fans at the dinner, and was even prompted for an autograph by then New York Governor Eliot Spitzer.[65]

Several magazines honored the singer, including Us Weekly, People, TIME, and Teen. He was featured in Us Magazine’s April 20, 2007, issue in an article entitled "Sanjaya Speaks",[66] 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 of People, 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.[67] In TIME's 2007 "TIME 100 POLL for The Most Influential People of the Year", based on online public votes, he ranked third.[68] He was nominated for Teen’s 2007 "Top Ten Most Cutest".[69]

Award shows acknowledged Malakar, as well. He won two of TV.com's Fashion Awards, in the categories of "ON AIR: Best Hair - Male",[70] and "OFF AIR: Best Trendsetter - Male", by public votes.[71] He was nominated for "Best Reality Show Star" in AZN Television's annual Asian Excellence Awards[72] and was a presenter at the awards ceremony[73] aired May 24, 2007 on E! and May 28, 2007 on AZN-TV.[74] At the 2007 Teen Choice Awards on August 26, he was named "Best TV Reality Star".[75] [76] 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.[77] “Sanjaya’s Ponyhawk” was ranked as #3 in the 2007 "Top TV Moment" video searches by AOL.[78]

Career

Malakar and his sister, Shyamali, are planning to sing together in the future.[22] 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,"[79] including music, acting, modeling, and any other opportunities that arise.[80]

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.[81]

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.[82] Malakar released a follow-up video explaining it was a joke, since some believed Bill Vendall was real.[83]

Sanjaya also hosted an American Idol show on the TV Guide channel called Idol Stars: Where Are They Now?, talking about what past Idol stars are up to now. Sanjaya also mentioned that he was continuing music and he helped write the book, Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul.

Sanjaya recently did a commercial for Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company in India where he seeks help from a guru.

  • Sanjaya is referenced in the American Edit of the Series 2 'Christmas Special' of Ricky Gervais' show Extras. In the episode, a department store owner comments that in order to stay ahead of the next buying season, he "ordered 10,000 Sanjaya dolls." In the UK version, the line is for Same Difference.
  • Sanjaya is parodied in the movie Meet the Spartans. Leonidas does not like his singing and pushes him into the pit of death. Sanjaya's character says, "I'm not gay" as he falls.
  • Sanjaya is parodied in the JibJab internet cartoon ‘In 2007.’ The video takes a comic look at the worst events of 2007, and compares Sanjaya to natural disasters such as famine and fire. (There was famine, fire, don't forget Sanjaya)
  • In the Hannah Montana episode, "(We're So Sorry) Uncle Earl", Uncle Earl makes a reference to Sanjaya by telling Aunt Pearl that because he became a part of Hannah Montana's band, he says, "I feel like Sanjaya." Then he corrects himself and says, "In the early rounds."

Discography

Sanjaya Malakar's American Idol CD album 'Sanjaya Malakar', and some singles were offered on iTunes starting June 10th, 2007. The Sanjaya Malakar album has reached Top 100 Pop Albums in sales.[84]

Albums Released in iTunes containing songs by Malakar

Year Title Type Genre
2007 Sanjaya Malakar EP Pop - Top 100 iTunes
2007 American Idol Season 6: The Collector's Edition EP Pop-Various Artists
2007 American Idol Season 6: Greatest Hits EP Pop-Various Artists


Singles by Malakar Released in iTunes

Year Title Type Genre
2007 "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" EP Pop
2007 "You Really Got Me" EP Pop
2007 "Bathwater" EP Pop
2007 "Cheek to Cheek" EP Pop
2007 "Bésame Mucho" EP Pop
2007 "Something to Talk About" EP Pop


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 "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".
  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. ^ Sanjaya Malakar, American Idol.
  13. ^ "Dreams do come true for 'Idol' fan". Retrieved 2007-03-22.
  14. ^ a b Ryan Seacrest Gets Everyone Laughing
  15. ^ REALITY TV CHECK: Po-Hawk Nation and Found Idols
  16. ^ Sanjaya: Dare to be Different
  17. ^ ‘American Idol’ brings out a string of surprises
  18. ^ Sanjaya Malakar voted off of American Idol
  19. ^ American Idol Top Eight – Sanjaya One Of The Smartest Contestants Ever
  20. ^ CNN.com
  21. ^ Yahoo! News
  22. ^ a b He May Be Gone, But Sanjaya Is Still Our Papaya
  23. ^ "American Idol" highest ratings due to Sanjaya
  24. ^ Aerosmith to rock India for the first time
  25. ^ Buh-Bye-Ya, Sanjaya!
  26. ^ Sanjaya's Hair Raising Searches
  27. ^ "Sanjaya Malakar Inspires a Hunger Strike". 2007-03-21. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
  28. ^ http://www.ifsanjayawins.com Retrieved June 22, 2007
  29. ^ http://www.sanjayatheapocalypse.com Retrieved June 22, 2007
  30. ^ TVGuide
  31. ^ "NY Times". Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  32. ^ a b "AZ Central - Idol Producer". Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  33. ^ "Simon has no words for Sanjaya". Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  34. ^ "Has Sanjaya Malakar ruined the "American Idol" judges?". Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  35. ^ "Send In the Clowns. Don't Bother, Sanjaya's Here". Retrieved 2007-04-11.
  36. ^ Getty Images - Entertainment Blog » Sanjaya Malakar
  37. ^ "Why worst crooner's voice may topple American Idol". Retrieved 2007-04-15. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |1= (help)
  38. ^ Stanley, Alessandra (2007-04-04). "Voting Rights Drive 'Idol,' Not the Abuse or the Hair". The New York Times. Retrieved 2008-03-27.
  39. ^ "Vote For The Worst - Sanjaya Malakar". 2007-03-21. Retrieved 2007-03-22.
  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.
  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}}: 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. ^ Ultrabrown
  46. ^ Saturday Night Live, March 24, 2007
  47. ^ IDOL WATCH / Sanjayamania
  48. ^ Maynard, Steve. "Star search: Where's Sanjaya?". Retrieved 2007-04-28.
  49. ^ Crowd goes gaga over Sanjaya
  50. ^ Seattle Pi
  51. ^ Sanjaya Malakar honored for his unlikely 'American Idol 6' journey
  52. ^ Sanjaya Source Affiliate
  53. ^ Seattle’s Own Sanjaya Returns Home For A Very Special Appearance At The Seattle Center
  54. ^ Sanjaya Malakar : rickey.org — American Idol 24/7
  55. ^ Watch out mall walkers, here comes Sanjaya!
  56. ^ [1] - Sanjaya on Jay Leno
  57. ^ Credits - Sanjaya Malakar
  58. ^ 2007 - Biggest Month Ever
  59. ^ Sanjaya Gets Slimed!
  60. ^ Show Airings
  61. ^ Life After 'Idol:' Finalists Visit Access Hollywood
  62. ^ American Idols Live Tour '07 Info Here
  63. ^ Sanjaya is doing great
  64. ^ Sanjaya to attend Correspondents' dinner
  65. ^ Sanjaya's a Hit at White House Correspondents' Dinner
  66. ^ Usmagazine.com | Sanjaya Speaks!
  67. ^ May 7, 2007 - People Magazine
  68. ^ The TIME 100 - Sanjaya Malakar
  69. ^ Whos Cuter? - Teenmag.com
  70. ^ ON AIR: Best Hair - Male
  71. ^ Best Trendsetter
  72. ^ AXA Awards
  73. ^ Star Tracks
  74. ^ Island stars part of Asian TV awards in Los Angeles
  75. ^ http://www.fox.com/teenchoice/winners/
  76. ^ http://www.waleg.com/celebrities/archives/008838.html Teen Choice Award Nominees Announced August 3, 2007
  77. ^ http://really.foxreality.com/2007/
  78. ^ AOL 2007 Year End Hot Searches
  79. ^ Sanjaya after ‘Idol’: Singer? Actor? Model?
  80. ^ Sanjaya looks at busy life after `American Idol'
  81. ^ What's Next For Sanjaya?
  82. ^ A.M. Surf Report: Green Day Rumored For 'American Idol' Finale; Sanjaya Claims He's An Art Project; Benzino Has Plans For Eminem
  83. ^ ROLL CALL: Sanjaya Gets Surreal & Rosie Responds To Fans
  84. ^ http://www.windpowersports.com/music/pop-albums.php retrieved June 12, 2007

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