Down to 3 ‘Idols’
February 22, 2007
Three Asian American males have beat out hundreds of thousands of singers across the nation to make it to the semifinals on the sixth season of American Idol. They include Sanjaya Malakar, Paul Kim and A.J. Tabaldo.
“I never imagined that I would get into the top 24! I’m really excited,” said Malakar, 17, who is half East Indian and Italian. “The whole experience has been surreal and very fun.”
Malakar’s sister Shyamali helped him make the decision to audition for the TV show (she did not make it past Hollywood Week). Malakar, who hails from Federal Way, Wash., said they probably would not have tried out if the auditions were not in Seattle.
“Throughout the whole audition process, it was a lot easier for me because I had my sister with me for moral support … my sister unfortunately did not make it. That was hard … that was sad,” said Malakar in the Feb. 14 episode.
Malakar recently received his GED and plans on going to college. He would also like to pursue a music career, focusing on R&B fused with rock and jazz.
“I think America is ready for an Indian American Idol. Indian culture is really popular now, a lot of people wear bindis as a fashion statement,” said Malakar. “It’s time for an Indian musician to come to the scene and I’d like to be that person.”
Also in the top 24 contestants is Kim, 25, from Saratoga, Calif. The Korean American is a pool maintenance technician who enjoys performing barefoot.
Tabaldo, 22, a Filipino American, has auditioned for Idol five times. He, however, has not received much air time this season.
Beginning this week, American Idol airs at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday on FOX.
Ahead on ‘American Idol’
Key dates through season’s end:
March 1: Live results show with two men and two women eliminated.
March 8: Last four semifinalists eliminated, with the final 12 revealed.
March 13: Top 12 perform for the first time.
March 14: First live results show in the final round.
May 22-23: The big showdown between the two remaining finalists.
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