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Biography
Distinguish|Paris BennetInfobox musical artist|name = Paris Bennett|image =|caption =|background = solo_singer|birth_name = Paris Ana'is Bennett|alias = Paris Bennett|birth_date = Birth date and age|1988|8|21|birth_place = Rockford, Illinois |origin = Fayetteville, Georgia |genre = Jazz , Soul music|soul , contemporary R& B , Pop music|pop |label = 306 Entertainment / TVT Records (2006-Present)|years_active = 2006& ndash;present'''Paris Ana'is Bennett' (born August 21, 1988) is an United States|American singer . She came to national recognition as a contestant on the American Idol (season 5)|fifth season of the reality television talent show, American Idol , finishing in fifth place. Bennett released her debut album Princess P on 306 Entertainment/ TVT Records in 2007, as well as a holiday album in 2008 entitled A Royal Christmas .
Biography
Early years
Bennett was born in Rockford, Illinois ,Citation needed|date=April 2007 to Jamecia Venzett Bennett, former soprano vocalist of the vocal ensemble Sounds of Blackness , and current solo artist. http://www.306ent.com/jamecia.html http://www.306ent.com/jamecia.html Bennett was raised by her mother and stepfather, downtown developer Nedal "Ned" Abdul, http://skywaynews.net/articles/2004/12/14/news/news02.txt http://skywaynews.net/articles/2004/12/14/news/news02.txt in Edina, Minnesota . http://www.afronetwireless.com/afronet/articles.asp? i=32 http://www.afronetwireless.com/afronet/articles.asp? i=32 Bennett began performing at the age of six http://www.austin360.com/tv/content/tv/stories/2006/04/20paris.html http://www.austin360.com/tv/content/tv/stories/2006/04/20paris.html and was trained by her mother and grandmother, Ann Nesby , http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season5/paris_bennett/ http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season5/paris_bennett/ the former lead singer of the Sounds of Blackness . http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000063COF http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000063COF
Bennett has three younger brothers, Shakur, Jamez, and Dustin, plus a sister named Shana. Bennett is also trained in hip hop dance|hip hop , modern African dance|African and jazz dance|jazz dance . http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/show/CTVShows/20060413/AmericanIdol-finalists/20050426 http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/show/CTVShows/20060413/AmericanIdol-finalists/20050426 She has opened for acts such as Bow Wow (rapper)|Bow Wow . Bennett attended Edina High School and played the part of Dorothy in the school production of "The Wiz" in 2003.cite web|last= Bennett|first= Paris |authorlink= |coauthors= | date=c. 2003 |url= http://www.startribune.com/1741/v-video/story/260796.html |title= Paris Bennett performs in The Wiz |format= Windows Media Player |work= |pages= |publisher= |accessdate= 2006-12-23 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060804154952/ http://www.startribune.com/1741/v-video/story/260796.html |archivedate = 2006-08-04 Bennett's favorite artists are Gladys Knight , Etta James , Sarah Vaughn , Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin . http://www.americanidolworship.com/2006/12/an-interview-with-paris-bennett/ http://www.americanidolworship.com/2006/12/an-interview-with-paris-bennett/ In 2004, Bennett shifted to Fayetteville, Georgia to live with her grandparents and began her senior year at Starr's Mill High School .
Bennett had decided to pursue gynaecology , not wanting to walk in the limelight of her family. However, Bennett's grandfather, Tim Lee, saw that the American Idol auditions were being held in Greensboro , and Bennett agreed to try out but said she would give up singing if she did not make it, as stated on the show.
In her audition, Bennett first performed the Dixie Chicks ' " Cowboy Take Me Away ", and was complimented by Paula Abdul on her voice. Bennett then chose to sing " Take Five " which she mistakenly attributed to Billie Holiday (the song was composed by Paul Desmond , with the lyrics penned by his wife).{ http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/showthread.php? t=12913Randy Jackson said that she has the lineage (referring to Nesby), Abdul called Bennett incredible, and Simon Cowell asked where she had been hiding. Bennett was given a unanimous vote to go to Hollywood.
In the first Hollywood round, Bennett sang " Can't Fight the Moonlight " and was put through to the next round. She then performed a group performance of " Emotion (Samantha Sang song)|Emotion " with Hannah Freeman and Stevie Scott , which was said by Cowell to be pitiful overall. Bennett was put through. For her third performance, Bennett sang " Fever (1956 song)|Fever ". She was then put through to the Top 24.
On February 21, Bennett performed " Midnight Train to Georgia " by Gladys Knight & The Pips . The judges enjoyed the performance. On February 28, Bennett performed Bette Midler 's " Wind Beneath My Wings ", and was told that it was a good vocal performance, and to avoid performing older songs. On March 7, Bennett performed Gloria Estefan 's " Conga (song)|Conga ". The judges liked the decision to sing an uptempo song, although the vocals were average. Bennett was put through to the Top 12 on March 9.
On March 14, the Stevie Wonder theme night, Bennett performed "All I Do". Stevie Wonder, guest coach, said that hearing her reminded him of the excitement of Fantasia Barrino . Jackson said that she had returned to greatness, Abdul called her a seasoned veteran, and Cowell added that she was very confident on the stage.
On March 21, the 1950s theme night, Bennett performed the song she had performed in the Hollywood round, Peggy Lee 's " Fever (1956 song)|Fever ". Barry Manilow praised the depth and power in her vocals. Jackson said that she displayed experience beyond her years, Abdul called her vocals impeccable, and Cowell said it was great.
Bennett performed Beyoncé Knowles ' " Work It Out (Beyoncé Knowles song)|Work It Out " on the March 28 show, in which the theme was of songs from the past six years. Jackson thought it was the best of the night; Abdul called it awesome. Cowell found it overly precocious.
On April 4, the country music|country theme night, Bennett performed " How Do I Live " by LeAnn Rimes . Kenny Rogers felt that it was a good choice to display Bennett's strengths. Jackson found the beginning weak, but felt she improved somewhat by the end. Abdul did not feel a connection with the song, and thought it seemed a struggle for Bennett. Cowell called the performance very good and an excellent choice of song. On the results night, Bennett was placed in the bottom three with Mandisa and Elliott Yamin , but was not eliminated.
On April 11, the Queen (band)|Queen theme night, Bennett sang " The Show Must Go On (Queen song)|The Show Must Go On ". Brian May said that he loved everything about Bennett. Jackson told her that it was a little rough in the beginning and middle, but she worked it out in the end. Abdul told Bennett to keep on rocking. Cowell found it a little weird. Bennett was safe. Cowell revealed on April 14 that Bennett was his personal favorite. http://telepixtvcgi.warnerbros.com/v2/news/0406/14/3/text.html http://telepixtvcgi.warnerbros.com/v2/news/0406/14/3/text.html
April 18 was the Great American Songbook theme night, and Bennett performed " These Foolish Things (Remind Me of You)|These Foolish Things ". Rod Stewart commented that "for seventeen, Paris is amazing." Jackson said that it was her best performance. Abdul said that Bennett could have a hit album of these songs. Cowell found it stylish and classy. Bennett was placed in the bottom three with Chris Daughtry and Ace Young , but was not eliminated.
The theme of the April 25 show was love songs. Bennett performed Barbra Streisand 's " The Way We Were ". David Foster called her rehearsal performance "very nice", and Andrea Bocelli called her voice spectacular. Jackson said that he liked it although he was not blown away. Abdul thought Bennett oversang in parts, but overall it was the best female vocal of the night. Cowell called it a very good vocal, but old-fashioned. Bennett was in the bottom two with Kellie Pickler, but was not eliminated.
The first theme on May 2 was songs from the contestants' year of birth. Bennett chose "" Kiss (song)|Kiss " by Prince (musician)|Prince , although the version released in 1988 was by Art of Noise , featuring Tom Jones (singer)|Tom Jones . Jackson liked the performance. Abdul stated that she loves Bennett singing songs from the past eras. Cowell found it screechy and annoying. The second theme was songs on the current Billboard (magazine)|Billboard charts. Bennett performed " Be Without You " by Mary J. Blige . Jackson thought that Bennett rocked it. Abdul thought that she loved Bennett's voice on the song, but was wishing for an individual flip on it. Cowell thought that Bennett did rather well with the song. On May 3, Bennett was placed in the bottom two with Yamin and eliminated from the competition.
Bennett returned to perform on the finale. As did the other top five contestants, Bennett performed a duet with an artist, in this case Al Jarreau , on "We're in This Love Together". Bennett has since stated that she would love to have a duet with Jarreau on her debut album. http://www.tvgrapevine.com/index.php/topic,9424.msg28389.html http://www.tvgrapevine.com/index.php/topic,9424.msg28389.html She also performed Close To You by Dionne Warwick , and in the girls' medley sang " Man& #33; I Feel Like a Woman! ", " (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman|Natural Woman ", " I'm Every Woman ", and "Trouble". Prince, who was appearing for a surprise performance, met and thanked Bennett for singing his song, and fulfilled her request for a kiss on the cheek. http://www.accessatlanta.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/idol/entries/2006/06/07/67_paris_met_pr.html http://www.accessatlanta.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/idol/entries/2006/06/07/67_paris_met_pr.html
Bennett recorded Midnight Train to Georgia for the American Idol Season 5: Encores compilation album. The track has sold 9,100 legal downloads as of August 10, 2006.Citation needed|date=April 2007
Post- Idol
Bennett appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992 TV series)|The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Thursday, May 4, 2006. She got to spin the Wheel of Consolation . She won a Lincoln Aviator , only to have someone come out dressed as Abraham Lincoln wearing aviator glasses. Bennett also appeared on Total Request Live , http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/trl/interviews.jhtml? interviewId=1532031 http://www.mtv.com/ontv/dyn/trl/interviews.jhtml? interviewId=1532031 The Ellen DeGeneres Show , Entertainment Tonight , Live With Regis and Kelly , On Air with Ryan Seacrest (TV series)|On Air With Ryan Seacrest , http://ryan.kiisfm.com/timages/page/media/PARISWITH_RYAN.mp3 http://ryan.kiisfm.com/timages/page/media/PARISWITH_RYAN.mp3 WSTR-FM (on The Steve & Vikki Morning Show), http://www.star94.com/shows/index.cfm? show=sv& cid=4 http://www.star94.com/shows/index.cfm? show=sv& cid=4 and the Today (NBC Program)|Today Show , among others.
In Detroit on May 30, 2006, Bennett sang the The Star-Spangled Banner|National Anthem at a conference finals NBA game between the Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat . On May 12, 2006, Bennett visited her younger brother Jamez's classroom to perform "Fever" in the 3 year old's music class. http://wcco.com/local/local_story_132012137.html http://wcco.com/local/local_story_132012137.html Bennett also held a homecoming concert in Rockford, Illinois. Bennett recorded a duet with John Debney on the official soundtrack of the movie Everyone's Hero . They sang a song called "The Tigers". http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H5TUG8 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000H5TUG8"
Bennett and her mother performed at the 2006 Divas Simply Singing AIDS benefit concert. http://www.divassimplysinging.com/content/divas.php http://www.divassimplysinging.com/content/divas.php Bennett performed "Take Five" at "The Gathering Live", a concert to raise awareness of domestic violence . http://www.hennepintheatredistrict.org/eventdescription.asp? theshow=GATHERING06 http://www.hennepintheatredistrict.org/eventdescription.asp? theshow=GATHERING06 At the 2006 BET Awards , Bennett announced plans for a clothing line, "Tres P" (Three times the Paris), to "help you find your royalty".Citation needed|date=April 2007 Bennett, Young, Mandisa and Kevin Covais are all appearing on the Walt Disney World Christmas special. http://www.americanidolworship.com/2006/12/american-idol-picture-of-the-day-covais-bennett-young-and-mandisa-get-goofy/ http://www.americanidolworship.com/2006/12/american-idol-picture-of-the-day-covais-bennett-young-and-mandisa-get-goofy/ Bennett is performing on the Walt Disney Cruise to St. Lucia , along with Bianca Ryan . Bennet sang the National Anthem at the Minnesota Twins home opener on April 2, 2007 at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Was a guest judge on MTV show SWK 2.0 along with New York and Danity Kane's Aubrey.
In 2007, Bennett became an official supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities and is a member of their celebrity board, called the Friends of RMHC.cite web |url= http://www.rmhc.com/celebrity-friends/ |title=Celebrity Friends of RMHC |publisher=McDonald's Corporation
It was announced in June 2008, that Bennett is expecting her first child in October 2008. http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2008/06/paris-bennett-p.html She gave birth to a girl, Egypt Bennett, on October 6, 2008. http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20231458,00.html
In late 2009, Bennett was given the role of an ensemble member and Mimi cover in the Minneapolis production of "RENT." She, along with her mother, Jamecia, are a part of the production that runs from February 3–21 at "The Lab" theater in downtown Minneapolis. http://www.rentminneapolislive.com/cast
2007: Princess P
Bennett was signed to 306 Entertainment, http://www.306ent.com/paris.html http://www.306ent.com/paris.html owned by Paul Jones. Bennett's mother Jamecia was also signed to the independent label. Bennett worked with Jon Jon Traxx, Darren Lighty, and Rodney Jerkins on her debut album, titled Princess P after the nickname given to her by her family and used affectionately for her by Ryan Seacrest on American Idol . http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/idol/entries/2006/12/08/128_paris_signs.html http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/idol/entries/2006/12/08/128_paris_signs.html Bennett co-wrote the album with J. Isaac, and says it is based on her experiences before, on, and after American Idol. The R& B and pop music|pop album was released on April 24. http://306ent.com/news.html http://306ent.com/news.html
Four songs from the album, lead single "Ordinary Love", "Burnt Up", "I'm So Hot", and "Dreamin" can currently be heard in full on Bennett's myspace. The song "Burnt Up" was recently removed from Bennett's MySpace, and replaced with the slow piano ballad "I Will".Citation needed|date=April 2007 Bennett has also confirmed tracks "B-Bye", "Best Friend" (with Jamecia Bennett, Ann Nesby , and Shirley Bennett), "Let Me Rap" (featuring Kevin Covais ), and one or more jazz tracks. http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/idol/entries/2006/12/08/128_paris_signs.html http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/idol/entries/2006/12/08/128_paris_signs.html Ajc.com www.mtv.com/news/articles/1550192/20070118/bennett paris.jhtml MTV.com
The video to "Ordinary Love" was released onto Bennett's management site on February 14, and then taken down due to the single being held back. The video to "Ordinary Love" was officially released onto Yahoo's Music Sitewww.music.yahoo.com on April 23, 2007. The album was released on Tuesday, May 8, 2007. It is distributed by TVT (Tee Vee Tunes) Records and 306 Entertainment. The video, also starring Dustin Breeding , was shot in January 2007 at Icehouse Studios in Minneapolis, Minnesota .
Bennett was featured on Radio Disney 's Incubator. After this, "I Will" and " My Boyfriend's Back (song)|My Boyfriend's Back " were able to be requested.
2008: A Royal Christmas
The set includes standards and original tracks, such as "The Holla Day Shuffle," written by her mother Jamecia Bennett. Classics receive R& B arrangements that are alternately modernized ("Li'l Drummer Boy," "Deck the Halls") and kept to low-key contemporary tastefulness ("God Rest Ye Merry," "Silent Night"), while one ("12 Days of Christmas") receives an acoustic jazz backdrop. Bennett was also featured at the San Diego Men's Chorus' (SDMC) 24th annual holiday show on December 6 of 08'.
2009: Second studio album
Her second album was set to be released sometime late 2009 or early 2010. It was said to take a different turn in musical direction, leaving the modern R& B oriented style of her debut album towards a classic Jazz feel.Citation needed|date=January 2010 However, the release was postponed and currently the release date is not known.
Bennett has since then released her single "Would You Be There" off her new album.Citation needed|date=January 2012
Personal life
Bennett gave birth to a daughter, Egypt Bennett, on October 6, 2008.cite news| url= http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,374309,00.html | work=Fox News | title=Ex-'American Idol' Finalist Paris Bennett Pregnant | date=July 1, 2008
Discography
Albums
Year
Album details
Peak chart positions
Certifications ( List of best selling music artists
US
US R& B
US Heat
US Indie
2007
Princess P
Released: May 8, 2007
Label: 306/ TVT Records|TVT
Format: Compact disc|CD
133
47
1
15
US sales: 22,500 http://blogs.usatoday.com/idolchatter/2007/08/part-1-mandisa-.html Idol Chatter
Paris BennettAmerican Idol 5 Persondata | NAME =Bennett, Paris | ALTERNATIVE NAMES = | SHORT DESCRIPTION =American singer | DATE OF BIRTH =August 21, 1988 | PLACE OF BIRTH = Rockford, Illinois | DATE OF DEATH = | PLACE OF DEATH = DEFAULTSORT:Bennett, Paris Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:People from Atlanta, Georgia Category:People from Minneapolis, Minnesota Category:People from Rockford, Illinois Category:TVT Records artists Category:American Idol participants Category:People from Winnebago County, Illinois Category:American female singers Category:American child singers Category:Musicians from Georgia (U.S. state) Category:Musicians from Illinois Category:Musicians from Minnesota Category:American performers of Christian music
