Sanjaya Malakar
Sanjaya Malakar | |
---|---|
Sanjaya Malakar at the Mural Amphitheater, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA on May 12, 2007. | |
Background information | |
Birth name | Sanjaya Joseph Malakar |
Born | September 10, 1989 |
Origin | Federal Way, Washington, United States |
Genres | Pop |
Occupation(s) | Singer, reality television personality, writer |
Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar, keyboard |
Years active | 2006–present |
Sanjaya Joseph Malakar (born September 10, 1989) is an American singer, who was a finalist on the sixth season of American 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, particularly Simon Cowell.[1]
After Idol, Malakar made many television guest appearances and has been commonly parodied in popular culture. He placed 5th in season two of the reality television show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!. He recently won the Remington's Got Talent in Whitefish, MT.
Early life
Malakar was born in Capitol Hill, in downtown Seattle,[2] the son of Jillian (Recchi) Blyth and Vasudeva Malakar. He later lived in the nearby suburb of Federal Way.[3] His father, a musician, is a Bengali Indian immigrant born in Vrindavan, India.[4] His mother is American-born, of Italian descent on one side and Dutch, English, and Irish ancestry on the other.[5] His parents filed for divorce when he was three years old and had been separated for a year prior to doing so. 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[citation needed]. His mother remarried, but his stepfather died soon afterwards.[6] Although Malakar spent the majority of his formative years in the Seattle area, he has also lived in both California[3] and Kauai, Hawaii,[7] where he performed with the Hawaii Children's Theater group. While in Seattle, he spent three years with the Total Experience Gospel Choir.[8]
Malakar attended Martha Lake Elementary School in Lynnwood, Washington for elementary school, and 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
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/09/Malakar%2C_Sanjaya_%282007%29.jpg/220px-Malakar%2C_Sanjaya_%282007%29.jpg)
On September 19, 2006, Malakar, a shy teen,[9] 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 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.[10]
On March 27, 2007, Malakar sang No Doubt's "Bathwater" wearing a fauxhawk made from multiple ponytails. The style was called the "ponyhawk" by host Ryan Seacrest.[11] While singing, Malakar hesitated with some of the words to the song.[12] 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.[11]
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."[13] On the following April 4 results show, it was revealed that Malakar had finished in the "middle three," among nine contestants.[14]
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.[15] 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."[16] 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.[17][18] 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".[19]
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 reported that this was due to Malakar's departure.[20]
On the May 23 American Idol finale, he performed with the top six males, introduced Smokey Robinson in the medley. Malakar performed "You Really Got Me" with Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry on guitar.[21]
Performances
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 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 |
- ^Note 1 When Ryan Seacrest announced the results in the particular night, Malakar was among in the bottom three, but declared safe second when Brandon Rogers was eliminated.
Public reaction
Malakar was the season's most talked about American Idol contestant, based on articles and searches conducted on the Internet.[22][23] 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 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.[24] 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.[25][26]
An official fansite for Malakar was created with approval of and contributions by the entertainer and his mother Jillian Blyth,[27] 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,[28] even though he was contractually obligated to return.[29] The show's executive producer predicted that Malakar would not win.[29] Some commentators have remarked that the judges seemed to have stopped giving thoughtful critiques of Malakar's performances.[30][31][32] The judges seemed stunned by his large following of voters.[33] 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.[34] Others, however, believe that the franchise benefited from the publicity, which was more popular than previous seasons of Idol.[35] On the April 17 broadcast of American 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 weblog Vote 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".[36][37][38] Some Stern regulars claimed to have voted for Malakar over 300 times—largely in hopes of tormenting American Idol traditionalists on the show.[39][40] Later, when asked for a reaction, Malakar told Jimmy Kimmel that his aunt had voted 1100 times.[40][41]
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.[42] The controversy spawned colloquialisms associated with Malakar's name, such as "Sanjayamania"[43] and "Fanjaya" to denote a Sanjaya fan.
Homecoming
The Federal Way City Council, initially unable to find his address or whereabouts,[44] announced plans to honor Malakar. Sanjaya Malakar was greeted by screaming fans at The Commons at Federal Way,[45] 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,[46] with Park stating "Sanjaya's charismatic personality, contagious smile, positive attitude and enthusiastic pursuit of his dreams are qualities to be admired."[47] Malakar was presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the city[48] and declaration of "South King County Sanjaya Malakar Day". In May 2007, he was also honored at Seattle Center in Seattle, Washington,[49] where he was greeted by fans, signed autographs and answered questions.[50] The council had received 200 e-mails from around the country asking the city to honor Malakar.[51]
Tour
Since Malakar placed in the top 10, he qualified to perform as part of the 2007 American Idol Concert Tour,[52] which, over three months, visited over 50 cities in Canada and U.S.[53] He performed Michael Jackson's "The Way You Make Me Feel" during the tour.
Career
After Idol
Shortly after his run on American Idol ended, Malakar attended the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner as a People magazine guest, where he saw then-President George W Bush. 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.[54]
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",[55] 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 no longer follows.[56] In TIMEs 2007 "TIME 100 POLL for The Most Influential People of the Year", based on online public votes, he ranked third.[57] He was nominated for Teens 2007 "Top Ten Most Cutest".[58]
Award shows acknowledged Malakar, as well. He won two of TV.com's Fashion Awards, in the categories of "ON AIR: Best Hair – Male",[59] and "OFF AIR: Best Trendsetter – Male", by public votes.[60] He was nominated for "Best Reality Show Star" in AZN Television's annual Asian Excellence Awards[61] and was a presenter at the awards ceremony[62] aired May 24, 2007 on E! and May 28, 2007 on AZN-TV.[63] At the 2007 Teen Choice Awards on August 26, he was named "Best TV Reality Star".[64][65] 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.[66] "Sanjaya's Ponyhawk" was ranked as No. 3 in the 2007 "Top TV Moment" video searches by AOL.[67]
In 2017, he won the Remington's Got Talent, a local show in Whitefish, MT.
TV appearances
In the months following Idol, Malakar appeared as a guest on multiple television shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,[68] Access Hollywood, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, the Late Show with David Letterman, The Morning Show, Extra, The Early Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live![69] and The Rachel Ray Show.[70] Additionally, he got "slimed" on Nickelodeon.[71] He also appeared with the rest of the top 10 on Larry King Live,[72] Access Hollywood, and Good Day L.A.[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]
Projects
On May 22, 2007, a one-minute short I Am Art, co-produced with Will 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 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]
Malakar 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 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 entitled Dancing 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.[77] In India, Malakar received his first acting role, where he starred in a Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company commercial, where he seeks help from a guru.
In May–June 2009, he starred in the reality show second season of the reality television show I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! along with Torrie Wilson, Holly Montag, Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt, Stephen Baldwin, Daniel Baldwin, Janice Dickinson, Lou Diamond Phillips, John Salley, Frangela, and Patti Blagojevich.[78][79] On the show he earned the nickname "Jungle Boy" in recognition of how comfortable he appeared in the jungle.[80] 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 for Pagliacci Pizza, a Seattle-based pizzeria chain.[81]
On February 23, 2011, Malakar joined the off-Broadway musical Freckleface Strawberry at New World Stages.[82]
On February 26, 2011, Malakar was a guest judge for the finals of local Seattle talent competition, "Seattle Superstar Search."[83]
In July 2011 Malakar toured the United States with the band, The Brave Chandeliers.[citation needed]
As of May 2012, Malakar is now a bartender living in Queens, New York. Of the money he made, Malakar admits most has been lost: "I was young. I didn't know anything. Some people took advantage. Some skimmed a little off the top, financially."[84]
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.[85]
On July 14, 2016 he performed at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort in Suquamish, Washington as part of their Free Summer Lawn Concert series.[86]
Malakar sings seven jazz standards on the album Good Merlin by The Chaz Lipp Groove Tripp. The album releases June 23, 2017[87] 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."[88] Bill Buckley of the U.K.-based SoulandFunkandJazz describes Malakar's "remarkable voice" as "different, unusual, unexpected."[89] Blogcritics writer Rhetta Akamatsu rated the album 96/100 largely due to Malakar's "incredible, flexible voice."[90] 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."[91]
Discography
Malakar's American Idol CD album Sanjaya Malakar, and some singles were offered on iTunes starting June 10, 2007. The Sanjaya Malakar album has reached Top 100 Pop Albums in sales.[92] Malakar's EP Dancing 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.[93] In 2011, he is also releasing his album Life ~ Love ~ Music with the pre-release debut single from the album being a cover of "Tempted",[94] a 1981 hit from Squeeze.
Albums
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 |
Singles
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 |
References
- ^ Sanjaya became one of the biggest obsession of Americans.[dead link]
- ^ Sanjaya Malakar; Alan Goldsher (2009). Dancing to the Music in My Head: Memoirs of the People's Idol. Simon and Schuster. p. 25.
- ^ a b c d "Sanjaya Malakar on American Idol". Archived from the original on November 27, 2007. Retrieved April 11, 2007.
- ^ Mira Kamdar (Asia Society). Sanjaya: Giving Them Something to Talk About, ABC News, April 19, 2007.
- ^ Malakar, Sanjaya; Goldsher, Alan (January 20, 2009). "Dancing to the Music in My Head: Memoirs of the People's Idol". Simon and Schuster. Retrieved May 31, 2017 – via Google Books.
- ^ "Sanjaya's Secret Heartache". Archived from the original on May 2, 2007. Retrieved April 12, 2007.
- ^ "Sanjaya surprises some after surviving 'Idol' cut". Retrieved March 22, 2007.
- ^ Edwards, Haley (April 1, 2007). ""Idol" contestant Sanjaya once distracted teachers; now it's a nation". Seattletimes.nwsource.com. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ Sanjaya Malakar, American Idol.
- ^ "Dreams do come true for 'Idol' fan". Retrieved March 22, 2007.
- ^ a b "Ryan Seacrest Gets Everyone Laughing". Hollyscoop.com. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ "REALITY TV CHECK: Po-Hawk Nation and Found Idols". Web.archive.org. July 1, 2007. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ Sanjaya: Dare to be Different
- ^ "'American Idol' brings out a string of surprises". Themoneytimes.com. March 30, 2007. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Archives, Actress (April 19, 2007). "Sanjaya Malakar voted off of American Idol". Actressarchives.com. Archived from the original on August 7, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "American Idol Top Eight – Sanjaya One Of The Smartest Contestants Ever". Realitytvmagazine.sheknows.com. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ CNN.com[dead link]
- ^ Yahoo! News[dead link]
- ^ "He May Be Gone, But Sanjaya Is Still Our Papaya". Niralimagazine.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ ""American Idol" highest ratings due to Sanjaya". Music.moldova.org. April 30, 2007. Archived from the original on January 17, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Aerosmith to rock India for the first time". Web.archive.org. March 15, 2007. Archived from the original on March 15, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ "Buh-Bye-Ya, Sanjaya!". Web.archive.org. June 19, 2008. Archived from the original on June 19, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ "Sanjaya's Hair Raising Searches". Buzzlog.yahoo.com. March 27, 2007. Archived from the original on January 29, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Sanjaya Malakar Inspires a Hunger Strike". March 21, 2007. Archived from the original on March 28, 2007. Retrieved March 22, 2007.
- ^ ifsanjayawins.com. Retrieved June 22, 2007.
- ^ sanjayatheapocalypse.com. Retrieved June 22, 2007.
- ^ "TVGuide". TVGuide. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ Wyatt, Edward (March 31, 2007). "NY Times". The New York Times. Retrieved April 11, 2007.
- ^ a b "AZ Central – Idol Producer". Retrieved April 11, 2007.
- ^ "Simon has no words for Sanjaya". Archived from the original on April 6, 2007. Retrieved 2007-04-11.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Has Sanjaya Malakar ruined the "American Idol" judges?". Archived from the original on April 8, 2007. Retrieved April 11, 2007.
- ^ de Moraes, Lisa (April 4, 2007). "Send In the Clowns. Don't Bother, Sanjaya's Here". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 11, 2007.
- ^ "Getty Images – Entertainment Blog » Sanjaya Malakar". Blog.gettyimages.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Ayres, Chris (March 29, 2007). "Why worst crooner's voice may topple American Idol". The Times. London. Retrieved April 15, 2007.
- ^ Stanley, Alessandra (April 4, 2007). "Voting Rights Drive 'Idol,' Not the Abuse or the Hair". The New York Times. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
- ^ "Howard Stern Corrupts Idol!". Web.archive.org. July 31, 2008. Archived from the original on July 31, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ Harris, Chris (March 20, 2007). "Is Howard Stern Behind Sanjaya Malakar's Staying Power On 'Idol'?". MTV News. Retrieved March 22, 2007.
- ^ Wyatt, Edward (March 31, 2007). "Howard Stern Tries to Kill 'American Idol' With Kindness for a Weak Link". The New York Times. The New York Times Company. Retrieved April 3, 2007.
- ^ "Vote for the Worst American Idol". Quchronicle.com. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ a b TstarV (August 5, 2007). "Sanjaya On Jimmy Kimmel Live! 04/26/07". Youtube. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ "Ultrabrown". Ultrabrown. June 23, 1985. Archived from the original on December 1, 2011. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Saturday Night Live, March 24, 2007
- ^ Vaziri, Aidin (July 15, 2007). "IDOL WATCH / Sanjayamania". The San Francisco Chronicle.
- ^ Maynard, Steve. "Star search: Where's Sanjaya?". Archived from the original on April 30, 2007. Retrieved April 28, 2007.
- ^ "Crowd goes gaga over Sanjaya". Web.archive.org. May 12, 2007. Archived from the original on May 12, 2007. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ Seattle Pi[dead link]
- ^ "Sanjaya Malakar honored for his unlikely 'American Idol 6' journey". Realitytvworld.com. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
- ^ "Sanjaya Source Affiliate" (PDF). July 4, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 8, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Seattle's Own Sanjaya Returns Home For A Very Special Appearance At The Seattle Center". Prlog.org. May 7, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "Sanjaya Malakar : rickey.org – American Idol 24/7". Rickey.org. August 4, 2011. Archived from the original on September 9, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Watch out mall walkers, here comes Sanjaya!". Web.archive.org. May 13, 2007. Archived from the original on May 13, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "American Idols Live Tour '07 Info Here". Web.archive.org. March 29, 2008. Archived from the original on March 29, 2008. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Sanjaya is doing great". Web.archive.org. May 16, 2007. Archived from the original on May 16, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Howell, Arnesa (April 22, 2007). "Sanjaya's a Hit at White House Correspondents' Dinner". People. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "Usmagazine.com | Sanjaya Speaks!". Web.archive.org. April 17, 2008. Archived from the original on April 17, 2008. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "May 7, 2007 – People Magazine". People. April 26, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "The TIME 100 – Sanjaya Malakar". Time. April 20, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "Whos Cuter?". Seventeen.com. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "ON AIR: Best Hair – Male". Tv.com. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Best Trendsetter". Tv.com. Archived from the original on April 12, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "AXA Awards". Web.archive.org. July 18, 2008. Archived from the original on July 18, 2008. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Star Tracks". People. May 18, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "Island stars part of Asian TV awards in Los Angeles". The.honoluluadvertiser.com. May 11, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "FOX Broadcasting Company: TEEN CHOICE 2007". Web.archive.org. August 30, 2007. Archived from the original on August 30, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Teen Choice Award Nominees Announced August 3, 2007". Waleg.com. August 2, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "Really Awards 2007". Really.foxreality.com. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "AOL 2007 Year End Hot Searches". About-search.aol.com. Archived from the original on December 3, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Sanjaya on Jay Leno". Uberdesi.com. April 20, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "Credits – Sanjaya Malakar". Tvguide.com. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "2007 – Biggest Month Ever". Rachaelrayshow.com. November 14, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "Sanjaya Gets Slimed!". Cbsnews.com. February 11, 2009. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "Show Airings". Tvguide.com. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "Life After 'Idol:' Finalists Visit Access Hollywood". Web.archive.org. June 1, 2007. Archived from the original on June 1, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "What's Next For Sanjaya?". Web.archive.org. May 9, 2007. Archived from the original on May 9, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ O'Donnell, Jane (May 23, 2007). "A.M. Surf Report: Green Day Rumored For 'American Idol' Finale; Sanjaya Claims He's An Art Project; Benzino Has Plans For Eminem". Mtv. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "ROLL CALL: Sanjaya Gets Surreal & Rosie Responds To Fans". Web.archive.org. May 27, 2007. Archived from the original on May 27, 2007. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Sanjaya Received a $100,000 Advance for his book Reality Blurred, January 23, 2009
- ^ "Sanjaya Joins An Already VFTW Filled Cast on "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here"". Votefortheworst.com. April 17, 2009. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ St. Clair, Stacey (April 15, 2009). "Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich hoping to appear on reality show". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on April 27, 2009.
{{cite news}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Sanjaya Has Finally Found His Lane on Celebrity". Newsroom.mtv.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2012. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|dead-url=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Seely, Mike (May 4, 2010). "American Idol Sanjaya Malakar Now Working, Singing at Pagliacci Pizza". Seattle Weekly. Archived from the original on May 8, 2010. Retrieved January 9, 2011.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ Freckleface Strawberry – Off-Broadway (February 8, 2011). "American Idol Vet Sanjaya Malakar to Join Freckleface Strawberry". Broadway.com. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ Dykstra, Eric (February 9, 2011). "American Idol Sanjaya Malakar as Guest Judge on Seattle Talent Competition". Seattle Superstar Search. Retrieved February 9, 2011.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Hey, whatever happened to Sanjaya Malakar?". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
- ^ "Yahoo". Yahoo. Archived from the original on April 17, 2014. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
{{cite web}}
: Unknown parameter|deadurl=
ignored (|url-status=
suggested) (help) - ^ "Sanjaya Malakar – Free Concert". www.clearwatercasino.com. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ "Good Merlin". Retrieved May 31, 2017 – via Amazon.
- ^ Bentley, Bill (May 5, 2017). "Bentley's Bandstand: May 2017". Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ Buckley, Bill. "GROOVE TRIPPIN'". www.soulandjazzandfunk.com. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ "Music Review: The Chaz Lipp Groove Tripp – 'Good Merlin'". Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ^ Jackson, Ronald. "The Blues Bus". www.thesmoothjazzride.com. Retrieved June 16, 2017.
- ^ "retrieved June 12, 2007". Popvortex.com. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "'Idol' Sanjaya Set to Release 5 Song Set". Popeater.com. January 6, 2009. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
- ^ "BroadwayWorld: Sanjaya Malakar Releases Tempted". Tunes.broadwayworld.com. May 23, 2011. Retrieved December 12, 2011.
External links
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fa/Wikiquote-logo.svg/34px-Wikiquote-logo.svg.png)
- 1989 births
- Living people
- American child singers
- American people of Indian descent
- American Hindus
- American people of Bengali descent
- American keyboardists
- American male singer-songwriters
- American singer-songwriters
- American male singers of Indian descent
- American singers of Indian descent
- American people of Irish descent
- American Idol participants
- Singers from Washington (state)
- People from Federal Way, Washington
- Waldorf school alumni
- People from Shoreline, Washington
- 21st-century American singers
- Guitarists from Washington (state)