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Biography
Use mdy dates|date=December 2011Infobox musical artist| name = Sanjaya Malakar| image = Sanjaya_at_Seattle_Center.JPG| caption = Sanjaya Malakar at the Mural Amphitheater, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA on May 12, 2007.| background = solo_singer| birth_name = Sanjaya Joseph Malakar| birth_date = birth date and age|1989|9|10|mf=yes| origin = Federal Way, Washington , United States| occupation = Singer, reality celebrity|television personality , writer| instrument = Vocals, guitar, Electronic keyboard|keyboard | genre = Pop| years_active = 2006–present| website = Sanjaya Joseph Malakar (IPAc-en|icon|s|æ|n|'|d?|a?|.|?|_|'|m|??|l|?|k|?r; lang-hi|???? ??????;cite web|url= http://inogolo.com/pronunciation/d1060/Sanjaya_Malakar |title=Name Pronunciation Guide |publisher=inogolo |accessdate=December 6, 2011 born September 10, 1989) is an American singer, who was a finalist on the American Idol (season 6)|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 . http://www.zeenews.com/Entertainment/Movies-Theatre/2007-04-16/366008news.html Sanjaya became one of the biggest obsession of Americans.dead link|date=December 2011
After Idol , Malakar made many television guest appearances and has been commonly parodied in popular culture. He got to 5th place in I'm a Celebrity... Get Me out of Here& #33; (US season 2)|season two of the reality television show '' I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here& #33; (U.S. TV series)|I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
Early life
Malakar was born in the large suburb of Federal Way , which is in the Seattle metropolitan area .cite web|url= http://seattle.about.com/od/artsentertainment/p/sanjayamalakar.htm|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20071127151226/ http://seattle.about.com/od/artsentertainment/p/sanjayamalakar.htm|archivedate=2007-11-27|title=Sanjaya Malakar on American Idol|accessdate=2007-04-11 His father, a musician, is a Bengali people|Bengali Demographics of India|Indian Mira Kamdar ( Asia Society ). http://web.archive.org/web/20070926225316/ http://www.asiasociety.org/pressroom/oped_idol.html Sanjaya: Giving Them Something to Talk About, ABC News , April 19, 2007. named Vasudeva Malakar, who immigrated to the United States, and his mother is an Italian American named Jillian Recchi Blyth.
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 welfareCitation needed|date=April 2011. His mother remarried, but his stepfather died soon afterwards.cite web|url= http://www.starmagazine.com/news/11746|archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070502112120/ http://www.starmagazine.com/celebrity_news_gossip/entertainment/11746|archivedate=2007-05-02|title=Sanjaya's Secret Heartache|accessdate=2007-04-12 Although Malakar spent the majority of his formative years in the Seattle area, he has also lived in both California and Kauai, Hawaii|Kauai , Hawaii,cite web |url= http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/Mar/15/br/br2941085376.html |title=Sanjaya surprises some after surviving 'Idol' cut |accessdate=2007-03-22 where he performed with the Hawaii Children's Theater group. While in Seattle, he spent three years with the Total Experience Gospel Choir .cite news|last=Edwards |first=Haley |url= http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/entertainment/2003645910_sanjaya01.html |title="Idol" contestant Sanjaya once distracted teachers; now it's a nation |publisher=Seattletimes.nwsource.com |date=April 1, 2007 |accessdate=December 6, 2011
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 .
On September 19, 2006, Malakar, a shy teen, http://www.americanidol.com/archive/contestants/season6/sanjaya_malakar/ Sanjaya Malakar, American Idol . 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.
For his next performance, in Hollywood, Malakar sang " Some Kind of Wonderful (Soul Brothers Six song)|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|date=April 2007 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.cite web |url= http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/17736726/ |title=Dreams do come true for ‘Idol’ fan |accessdate=2007-03-22
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 .cite web|url= http://www.hollyscoop.com/american-idol/ryan-seacrest-gets-everyone-laughing.html |title=Ryan Seacrest Gets Everyone Laughing |publisher=Hollyscoop.com |accessdate=December 6, 2011 While singing, Malakar hesitated with some of the words to the song.cite web|url= http://www.bodognation.com/celebrity-gossip/reality-tv-check-po-hawk-nation-and-found-idols.html |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070701024753/ http://www.bodognation.com/celebrity-gossip/reality-tv-check-po-hawk-nation-and-found-idols.html |archivedate=2007-07-01 |title=REALITY TV CHECK: Po-Hawk Nation and Found Idols |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=July 1, 2007 |accessdate=December 6, 2011Simon 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.
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." http://news.aol.com/newsbloggers/2007/04/04/sanjaya-dare-to-be-different-and-blake-lewis-mimbo Sanjaya: Dare to be Differentdead link|date=December 2011 On the following April 4 results show, it was revealed that Malakar had finished in the "middle three," among nine contestants.cite web|url= http://www.themoneytimes.com/articles/20070330/american_idol_brings_out_a_string_of_surprises_sligh_exits_malakar_safe-id-103214.html |title=‘American Idol’ brings out a string of surprises |publisher=Themoneytimes.com |date=March 30, 2007 |accessdate=December 6, 2011
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.cite web|last=Archives |first=Actress |url= http://www.actressarchives.com/news/sanjaya-malakar-voted-off-of-american-idol |title=Sanjaya Malakar voted off of American Idol |publisher=Actressarchives.com |date=April 19, 2007 |accessdate=December 6, 2011Randy 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."cite web|url= http://realitytvmagazine.sheknows.com/2007/04/10/american-idol-top-eight-%e2%80%93-sanjaya-one-of-the-smartest-contestants-ever/ |title=American Idol Top Eight – Sanjaya One Of The Smartest Contestants Ever |publisher=Realitytvmagazine.sheknows.com |accessdate=December 6, 2011 Malakar continued on, entering the Top 7, following that performance on the April 11 results show.
After performing " Something to Talk About (song)|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. http://www.cnn.com/2007/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/19/american.idol.ap/ CNN.comdead link|date=April 2009 http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070419/us_nm/americanidol_dc_2 Yahoo& #33; Newsdead link|date=April 2009 Singing his farewell performance, after the line "let's give them something to talk about", he ad lib bed "other than hair" in place of "how about love".cite web|url= http://niralimagazine.com/2007/04/he-may-be-gone-but-sanjaya-is-still-our-papaya/ |title=He May Be Gone, But Sanjaya Is Still Our Papaya |publisher=Niralimagazine.com |accessdate=December 6, 2011
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 was due to Malakar's departure.cite web|url= http://music.moldova.org/news/american-idol-highest-ratings-due-to-sanjaya-44947-eng.html |title="American Idol" highest ratings due to Sanjaya |publisher=Music.moldova.org |date=April 30, 2007 |accessdate=December 6, 2011
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 (musician)|Joe Perry on guitar.cite web|url= http://ca.entertainment.yahoo.com/s/12032007/6/entertainment-aerosmith-rock-india-first-time.html |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070315073046/ http://ca.entertainment.yahoo.com/s/12032007/6/entertainment-aerosmith-rock-india-first-time.html |archivedate=2007-03-15 |title=Aerosmith to rock India for the first time |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=March 15, 2007 |accessdate=December 6, 2011
Malakar was the season's most talked about American Idol contestant, based on articles and searches conducted on the Internet.cite web|url= http://www.usmagazine.com/sanjaya_out |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080619043420/ http://www.usmagazine.com/sanjaya_out |archivedate=2008-06-19 |title=Buh-Bye-Ya, Sanjaya& #33; |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=June 19, 2008 |accessdate=December 6, 2011cite web|url= http://buzzlog.yahoo.com/buzzlog/67409/sanjayas-hair-raising-searches |title=Sanjaya's Hair Raising Searches |publisher=Buzzlog.yahoo.com |date=March 27, 2007 |accessdate=December 6, 2011 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 FitnessSingles.com was prominently displayed, causing speculation her hunger strike was really for profit.cite web |date = 2007-03-21 |url= http://entertainment.bodogbeat.com/sanjaya-malakar-inspires-a-hunger-strike-68543.html |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070328210301/ http://entertainment.bodogbeat.com/sanjaya-malakar-inspires-a-hunger-strike-68543.html |archivedate=2007-03-28 |title=Sanjaya Malakar Inspires a Hunger Strike |accessdate=2007-03-22 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. http://web.archive.org/web/20070406172327/ http://ifsanjayawins.com/ ifsanjayawins.com. Retrieved June 22, 2007. http://web.archive.org/web/20070624040522/ http://www.sanjayatheapocalypse.com/ sanjayatheapocalypse.com. Retrieved June 22, 2007.
An official fansite for Malakar was created with approval of and contributions by the entertainer and his mother Jillian Blyth,cite web|url= http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/sanjaya-malakar/bio/286854 |title=TVGuide |publisher=TVGuide |accessdate=December 6, 2011 and archives include in-person reports for each American Idols LIVE& #33; Tour 2007|2007 American Idol Concert Tour event.
Simon Cowell told Extra (TV series)|Extra that had Malakar won, he would not have returned as a judge to the show,cite news|url= http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/31/arts/television/31idol.html? ex=1332993600& en=f3eeecfc91e562ea& ei=5088& partner=rssnyt& emc=rss|title=NY Times|accessdate=2007-04-11 | work=The New York Times | first=Edward | last=Wyatt | date=March 31, 2007 even though he was contractually obligated to return.cite web|url= http://www.azcentral.com/ent/tv/articles/0404idol0404producer.html|title=AZ Central – Idol Producer|accessdate=2007-04-11 The show's executive producer predicted that Malakar would not win. Some commentators have remarked that the judges seemed to have stopped giving thoughtful critiques of Malakar's performances.cite web|url= http://testpattern.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2007/04/03/110885.aspx|title=Simon has no words for Sanjaya|accessdate=2007-04-11cite web|url= http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2007/04/has_sanjaya_mal.html|title=Has Sanjaya Malakar ruined the "American Idol" judges? |accessdate=2007-04-11 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20070408074603/ http://blogs.orlandosentinel.com/entertainment_tv_tvblog/2007/04/has_sanjaya_mal.html |archivedate = 2007-04-08cite news|url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/03/AR2007040301696.html? hpid=topnews|title=Send In the Clowns. Don't Bother, Sanjaya's Here|accessdate=2007-04-11 | work=The Washington Post | date=April 4, 2007 | first=Lisa | last=de Moraes The judges seemed stunned by his large following of voters.cite web|url= http://blog.gettyimages.com/tag/sanjaya-malakar/ |title=Getty Images – Entertainment Blog » Sanjaya Malakar |publisher=Blog.gettyimages.com |accessdate=December 6, 2011Randy 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.cite news|url= http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/us_and_americas/article1582430.ece|title=Why worst crooner’s voice may topple American Idol|accessdate=2007-04-15 |work=The Times |location=London | first=Chris | last=Ayres | date=March 29, 2007 Others, however, believe that the franchise benefited from the publicity, which was more than in any recent season of Idol .cite news|url= http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/04/arts/television/04watc.html|title=Voting Rights Drive ‘Idol,’ Not the Abuse or the Hair|work=The New York Times|authorlink=Alessandra Stanley|first=Alessandra|last=Stanley|date=2007-04-04|accessdate=2008-03-27 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. 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".cite web|url= http://www.usmagazine.com/howard_stern_corrupts_i_idol_i |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20080731093921/ http://www.usmagazine.com/howard_stern_corrupts_i_idol_i |archivedate=2008-07-31 |title=Howard Stern Corrupts Idol& #33; |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=July 31, 2008 |accessdate=December 6, 2011cite web |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1555113/20070320/id_0.jhtml |title= Is Howard Stern Behind Sanjaya Malakar's Staying Power On 'Idol'? |accessdate=2007-03-22 |date=2007-03-20 |last=Harris |first = Chris | publisher = MTV Newscite news | first=Edward | last=Wyatt | title=Howard Stern Tries to Kill ‘American Idol’ With Kindness for a Weak Link | date=2007-03-31 | publisher= The New York Times Company | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/31/arts/television/31idol.html? ex=1332993600& en=ecc4f2e2914562da& ei=5124& partner=permalink& exprod=permalink | work =The New York Times | accessdate = 2007-04-03 Some Stern regulars claimed to have voted for Malakar over 300 times—largely in hopes of tormenting American Idol traditionalists on the show.cite web|url= http://www.quchronicle.com/2007/04/vote-for-the-worst-american-idol/ |title=Vote for the Worst American Idol |publisher=Quchronicle.com |accessdate=December 6, 2011cite web|author=TstarV |url= http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=8xTRD1UKyTc |title=Sanjaya On JImmy Kimmel Show 04/26/07 |work= Youtube |date=August 5, 2007 |accessdate=December 6, 2011 Later, when asked for a reaction, Malakar told Jimmy Kimmel that his aunt had voted 1100 times.cite web|url= http://ultrabrown.com/ |title=Ultrabrown |publisher=Ultrabrown |date=June 23, 1985 |accessdate=December 6, 2011
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 . Saturday Night Live , March 24, 2007 The controversy spawned colloquialisms associated with Malakar's name, such as "Sanjayamania"cite news| url= http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi? f=/c/a/2007/07/15/PKGRMQTFQV1.DTL | work=The San Francisco Chronicle | title=IDOL WATCH / Sanjayamania | first=Aidin | last=Vaziri | date=July 15, 2007 and "Fanjaya" to denote a Sanjaya fan.
Homecoming
The Federal Way, Washington|Federal Way City Council, initially unable to find his address or whereabouts,cite web |url= http://www.thenewstribune.com/331/story/50083.html |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070430182911/ http://www.thenewstribune.com/331/story/50083.html |archivedate=2007-04-30 |title=Star search: Where’s Sanjaya? |accessdate=2007-04-28| author=Maynard, Steve announced plans to honor Malakar. Sanjaya Malakar was greeted by screaming fans at The Commons at Federal Way,cite web|url= http://www.thenewstribune.com/331/story/58807.html |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070512193604/ http://www.thenewstribune.com/331/story/58807.html |archivedate=2007-05-12 |title=Crowd goes gaga over Sanjaya |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=May 12, 2007 |accessdate=December 6, 2011 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, http://www.seattlepi.com/lifestyle/315019_sanjaya10.html Seattle Pidead link|date=April 2009 with Park stating "Sanjaya's charismatic personality, contagious smile, positive attitude and enthusiastic pursuit of his dreams are qualities to be admired."cite web|url= http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/sanjaya-malakar-honored-for-his-unlikely-american-idol-6-journey-5158.php |title=Sanjaya Malakar honored for his unlikely 'American Idol 6' journey |publisher=Realitytvworld.com |accessdate=December 6, 2011 Malakar was presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the citycite web|url= http://media.thenewstribune.com/smedia/2007/05/10/06/sanjaya.source.prod_affiliate.5.pdf |archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20070704053226/ http://media.thenewstribune.com/smedia/2007/05/10/06/sanjaya.source.prod_affiliate.5.pdf |archivedate=2007-07-04 |title=Sanjaya Source Affiliate |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=July 4, 2007 |accessdate=December 6, 2011 and declaration of "South King County Sanjaya Malakar Day". In May 2007, he was also honored at Seattle Center in Seattle|Seattle, Washington ,cite web|url= http://www.prlog.org/10016153-seattle-own-sanjaya-returns-home-for-very-special-appearance-at-the-seattle-center.html |title=Seattle’s Own Sanjaya Returns Home For A Very Special Appearance At The Seattle Center |publisher=Prlog.org |date=May 7, 2007 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 where he was greeted by fans, signed autographs and answered questions.cite web|url= http://www.rickey.org/american-idol/sanjaya-malakar/ |title=Sanjaya Malakar : rickey.org – American Idol 24/7 |publisher=Rickey.org |date=August 4, 2011 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 The council had received 200 e-mails from around the country asking the city to honor Malakar.cite web|url= http://web.archive.org/web/20070513055257/ http://www.thenewstribune.com/441/story/54190.html |title=Watch out mall walkers, here comes Sanjaya& #33; |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=May 13, 2007 |accessdate=December 12, 2011
Tour
Since Malakar placed in the top 10, he qualified to perform as part of the American Idols LIVE& #33; Tour 2007|2007 American Idol Concert Tour ,cite web|url= http://web.archive.org/web/20080329174301/ http://www.americanidol.com/news/view/? pid=793 |title=American Idols Live Tour '07 Info Here |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=March 29, 2008 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 which, over three months, visited over 50 cities in Canada and the US.cite web|url= http://web.archive.org/web/20070516073551/ http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/storypage.aspx? StoryId=77059 |title=Sanjaya is doing great |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=May 16, 2007 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 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|People magazine guest, where he saw then-President George W Bush . http://www.examiner.com/a-683959~Sanjaya_to_attend_Correspondents dinner.html Sanjaya to attend Correspondents' dinnerdead link|date=December 2011 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 .cite web|last=Howell |first=Arnesa |url= http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20036187,00.html |title=Sanjaya's a Hit at White House Correspondents' Dinner |work=People |date=April 22, 2007 |accessdate=December 12, 2011
Several magazines honored the singer, including Us Weekly , People (magazine)|People , Time (magazine)|TIME , and Teen (magazine)|Teen . He was featured in Us Magazine ’s April 20, 2007, issue in an article entitled "Sanjaya Speaks",cite web|url= http://web.archive.org/web/20080417080832/ http://www.usmagazine.com/sanjaya_speaks |title=Usmagazine.com & #124; Sanjaya Speaks& #33; |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=April 17, 2008 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 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.cite web|url= http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20036901,00.html |title=May 7, 2007 – People Magazine |work=People |date=April 26, 2007 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 In TIME 's 2007 "TIME 100 POLL for The Most Influential People of the Year", based on online public votes, he ranked third.cite news|url= http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/time100walkup/article/0,28804,1611030_1610841_1614001,00.html |title=The TIME 100 – Sanjaya Malakar |work=Time |accessdate=December 12, 2011 |date=April 20, 2007 He was nominated for Teen ’s 2007 "Top Ten Most Cutest".cite web|url= http://www.seventeen.com/entertainment/interviews/ |title=Whos Cuter? |publisher=Seventeen.com |accessdate=December 12, 2011
Award shows acknowledged Malakar, as well. He won two of TV.com 's Fashion Awards, in the categories of "ON AIR: Best Hair – Male",cite web|url= http://www.tv.com/special_feature/fashion/index.html? page=2 |title=ON AIR: Best Hair – Male |publisher=Tv.com |accessdate=December 12, 2011 and "OFF AIR: Best Trendsetter – Male", by public votes.cite web|url= http://www.tv.com/special_feature/fashion/index.html? page=23 |title=Best Trendsetter |publisher=Tv.com |accessdate=December 12, 2011 He was nominated for "Best Reality Show Star" in AZN Television 's annual Asian Excellence Awardscite web|url= http://web.archive.org/web/20080718052920/ http://azntv.com/axawards/ |title=AXA Awards |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=July 18, 2008 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 and was a presenter at the awards ceremonycite web|url= http://www.people.com/people/gallery/0,,20039309_12,00.html |title=Star Tracks |work=People |date=May 18, 2007 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 aired May 24, 2007 on E! and May 28, 2007 on AZN-TV.cite web|url= http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2007/May/11/br/br8497061532.html |title=Island stars part of Asian TV awards in Los Angeles |publisher=The.honoluluadvertiser.com |date=May 11, 2007 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 At the 2007 Teen Choice Awards on August 26, he was named "Best TV Reality Star".cite web|url= http://web.archive.org/web/20070830111612/ http://www.fox.com/teenchoice/winners/ |title=FOX Broadcasting Company: TEEN CHOICE 2007 |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=August 30, 2007 |accessdate=December 12, 2011cite web|url= http://www.waleg.com/celebrities/archives/008838.html |title=Teen Choice Award Nominees Announced August 3, 2007 |publisher=Waleg.com |date=August 2, 2007 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 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.cite web|url= http://really.foxreality.com/2007/ |title=Really Awards 2007 |publisher=Really.foxreality.com |accessdate=December 12, 2011 “Sanjaya’s Ponyhawk” was ranked as No. 3 in the 2007 "Top TV Moment" video searches by AOL .cite web|url= http://about-search.aol.com/hotsearches2007/view_all_searches.html |title=AOL 2007 Year End Hot Searches |publisher=About-search.aol.com |accessdate=December 12, 2011
TV appearances
In the months following Idol , Malakar appeared as a guest on multiple television shows, including The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (1992 TV series)|The Tonight Show ,cite web|url= http://uberdesi.com/blog/2007/04/20/sanjaya-on-jay-leno/ |title=Sanjaya on Jay Leno |publisher=Uberdesi.com |date=April 20, 2007 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 Access Hollywood , Today (NBC program)|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 Late Show , The Morning Show With Mike and Juliet|The Morning Show , Extra (TV series)|Extra , The Early Show , Jimmy Kimmel Live cite web|url= http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/sanjaya-malakar/credits/286854 |title=Credits – Sanjaya Malakar |publisher=Tvguide.com |accessdate=December 12, 2011 and Rachael Ray (TV series)|The Rachel Ray Show .cite web|url= http://www.rachaelrayshow.com/? q=videos/2007-biggest-month-ever |title=2007 – Biggest Month Ever |publisher=Rachaelrayshow.com |date=November 14, 2011 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 Additionally, he got "slimed" on Nickelodeon (TV channel)|Nickelodeon .cite news|url= http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/04/24/entertainment/main2722990.shtml |title=Sanjaya Gets Slimed& #33; |publisher=Cbsnews.com |date=February 11, 2009 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 He also appeared with the rest of the top 10 on Larry King Live ,cite web|url= http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/sanjaya-malakar/tv-listings/286854 |title=Show Airings |publisher=Tvguide.com |accessdate=December 12, 2011 Access Hollywood , and Good Day L.A. cite web|url= http://web.archive.org/web/20070601202247/ http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah5535.shtml |title=Life After 'Idol:' Finalists Visit Access Hollywood |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=June 1, 2007 |accessdate=December 12, 2011
Upon meeting Billy Ray Cyrus , Malakar reported discussing a guest spot on Disney Channel's Hannah Montana (TV series)|Hannah Montana in an April 20, 2007 interview with Access Hollywood.cite web|url= http://web.archive.org/web/20070509143729/ http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah4977.shtml |title=What's Next For Sanjaya? |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=May 9, 2007 |accessdate=December 12, 2011
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 .cite web|last=O'Donnell |first=Jane |url= http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1560264/20070523/green_day.jhtml |title=A.M. Surf Report: Green Day Rumored For 'American Idol' Finale; Sanjaya Claims He's An Art Project; Benzino Has Plans For Eminem |work= Mtv |date=May 23, 2007 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 Malakar released a follow-up video explaining it was a joke, since some believed Bill Vendall was real.cite web|url= http://web.archive.org/web/20070527074227/ http://www.accesshollywood.com/news/ah5501.shtml |title=ROLL CALL: Sanjaya Gets Surreal & Rosie Responds To Fans |publisher=Web.archive.org |date=May 27, 2007 |accessdate=December 12, 2011
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 Soul|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. http://www.realityblurred.com/realitytv/archives/american_idol_6/2009_Jan_23_sanjaya_book_sex Sanjaya Received a $100,000 Advance for his book Reality Blurred, January 23, 2009 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 I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here& #33; (U.S. season 2)|second season of the reality television show '' I'm a Celebrity…Get Me out of Here& #33; (U.S. TV series)|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 .cite web|url= http://www.votefortheworst.com/20090417/sanjaya_joins_already_vftw_filled_cast_im_celebrity_get_me_out_here |title=Sanjaya Joins An Already VFTW Filled Cast on "I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here" |publisher=Votefortheworst.com |date=April 17, 2009 |accessdate=December 12, 2011cite news |title=Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich hoping to appear on reality show |first=Stacey |last=St. Clair |work=Chicago Tribune |date=April 15, 2009 |url= http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/chi-talk-blago-realityapr15,0,5649181.story |archiveurl= http://www.webcitation.org/5gLseXdwp |archivedate=2009-04-27 On the show he earned the nickname "Jungle Boy" in recognition of how comfortable he appeared in the jungle.cite web|url= http://newsroom.mtv.com/2009/06/09/sanjaya-has-finally-found-his-lane-on-celebrity/ |title=Sanjaya Has Finally Found His Lane on Celebrity |publisher=Newsroom.mtv.com |accessdate=December 12, 2011 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.cite web|last=Seely|first=Mike|title=American Idol Sanjaya Malakar Now Working, Singing at Pagliacci Pizza|url= http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/voracious/2010/05/american_idol_sanjaya_malakar.php|work= Seattle Weekly |date=2010-05-04|accessdate=2011-01-09
On February 23, 2011, Malakar joined the off-Broadway musical Freckleface Strawberry at New World Stages.cite web|author=Freckleface Strawberry – Off-Broadway |url= http://www.broadway.com/shows/freckleface-strawberry/buzz/155193/american-idol-vet-sanjaya-malakar-to-join-freckleface-strawberry |title=American Idol Vet Sanjaya Malakar to Join Freckleface Strawberry |publisher=Broadway.com |date=February 8, 2011 |accessdate=December 12, 2011
On February 26, 2011, Malakar was a guest judge for the finals of local Seattle talent competition, "Seattle Superstar Search."cite web|last=Dykstra|first=Eric|title=American Idol Sanjaya Malakar as Guest Judge on Seattle Talent Competition|url= http://seattlesuperstar.tv|work= Seattle Superstar Search |date=2011-02-09|accessdate=2011-02-09
In July 2011 Malakar toured the United States with the band, The Brave Chandeliers.Citation needed|date=July 2011
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.cite web|url= http://www.popvortex.com/music/charts/top-pop-albums.php |title=retrieved June 12, 2007 |publisher=Popvortex.com |accessdate=December 12, 2011 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.cite web|url= http://www.popeater.com/2009/01/06/idol-sanjaya-set-to-release-5-song-set/ |title='Idol' Sanjaya Set to Release 5 Song Set |publisher=Popeater.com |date=January 6, 2009 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 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 (song)|Tempted ",cite web|url= http://tunes.broadwayworld.com/article/Sanjaya-Malakar-Releases-Tempted-20110523 |title=BroadwayWorld: Sanjaya Malakar Releases Tempted |publisher=Tunes.broadwayworld.com |date=May 23, 2011 |accessdate=December 12, 2011 a 1981 hit from Squeeze (band)|Squeeze .
Albums
Year
Title
Type
2007
Sanjaya Malakar
EP
American Idol Season 6: Greatest Hits#The Collector's Edition>American Idol Season 6: The Collector's Edition
American Idol 6I'm a Celebrity…Get Me out of Here& #33; US Season 2 Persondata| NAME=Malakar, Sanjaya | ALTERNATIVE NAMES= | SHORT DESCRIPTION=American reality television personality | DATE OF BIRTH=September 10, 1989 | PLACE OF BIRTH= Seattle , Washington, United States | DATE OF DEATH= | PLACE OF DEATH= DEFAULTSORT:Malakar, Sanjaya Category:1989 births Category:Living people Category:American child singers Category:American guitarists Category:American Hindus Category:American keyboardists Category:American male singers Category:American musicians of Indian descent Category:American people of Italian descent Category:American singer-songwriters Category:American singers Category:American vegetarians Category:American Idol participants Category:I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here& #33; contestants Category:Musicians from Washington (state) Category:People from Federal Way, Washington Category:Waldorf school alumni Category:People from Shoreline, Washington
