Touring with ‘American Idol’
star Sanjaya

By Rita Charleston
For the Times

Seeing him on last season’s American Idol, some viewed him as a dreamboat. Others thought he was more of a dork.
But neither sobbing pre-teens nor those slinging sticks and stones at him could affect Sanjaya Malakar’s ambition.
"I dreamed of becoming America’s next idol," said the 17-year-old, who didn’t win but finished in the top 10.
He is now touring with others who were on the show as part of the American Idols Tour being staged at Philadelphia’s Wachovia Center Sept. 7, and Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall on Sept. 8.
Born in the Seattle area, Malakar moved to Hawaii after his parents divorced and lived there for several years. He performed with the Hawaii Children’s Theater group, where he said he was bitten by the performing bug.
"My entire family was very musical. It’s something I just grew up with, and when I began performing in musical theater with the group, I decided it was something I wanted to continue doing myself," he said.
Moving back to Seattle, he spent several years with the Total Experience Gospel Choir. And when the shy teen entered the open audition for American Idol at the Seattle Center in Seattle with his sister Shyamali, he remembered, "I had no idea I’d actually make the show, especially since I was trying out with thousands of other people, but since it was coming to my area, I thought, ‘why not?"
Surprisingly, both brother and sister were advanced to the Hollywood round, although his sister was ultimately cut as the young man moved on.
Inexplicably to many, Malakar continued to get votes, even though the judges were largely critical of his performances. He took advantage of his audience popularity by not only singing, but donning strikingly peculiar hairdos including a faux-hawk, made from multiple ponytails.
Simon Cowell was especially critical of Malakar, even threatening to leave the show if Malakar won. But nothing seemed to get in Malakar’s way or dampen his spirits.
"I was very respectful of Simon because I feel he was the person I learned the most from," he said. "There are a lot of negatives you have to deal with in this business. You’re going to be judged and people will either like you and buy your albums, or they’ll talk bad about you. So it’s good to be in a situation like American Idol where everything becomes very complicated but at the same time will help you gauge how well you’re doing."
He added that he tries to learn as much as he can from everyone he meets or has had exchanges with.
"My family was very strong in their support of me and I leaned a lot from them. Actually, you learn from every mistake you ever made, every person you ever met, and just try to continue learning," he said.
And speaking of people he’s met, Malakar said while in this contest he met some of those he most admired, like Jennifer Lopez and Tony Bennett, although his favorite performer of all time is Stevie Wonder. And of all the songs he performed on the show, to this day his favorite is Besame Mucho.
Having been featured on a number of TV shows and in national publications since being voted off American Idol, Malakar said one of his biggest fears is that he’ll never be able to walk into a supermarket again without someone recognizing him.
But for his future, which might involve even more recognition, acting tops the list.
Said Malakar: "I’d also love to do modeling, do a Broadway show and of course, continue with my music!" ••
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