American Idol 8 Contestant’s Profiles

Danny Gokey

Here is a guy who is a judges favorite for sure. He sure can sing. Also “going for him” if you can even say that, is a traggic backstory. His wife passed away about 4 weeks ago. If that doesn’t make you want to call in for the poor guy then I don’t know what would.

Just writing this makes me want to seek out Danny Gokey and give him a big hug. I’m sure Danny Gokey will make the top 20 as both Paula and Randy seem to love him.

Every year, there is one contestant story that touches the hearts of American Idol viewers. This season, the touching story comes from Danny Gokey, a 28-year old church music director from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Danny Gokey auditioned in Kansas City and wowed not only the judges, but viewers as well when he sang “Heard it through the grapevine.” Clearly, Danny has talent and soul.

But that’s not the touching story. Four weeks before Danny auditioned in Kansas City, his wife passed away. In several interviews, he said that they’ve been talking about him auditioning and he believed his wife would have been so happy to see him pass the auditions and get that golden ticket to Hollywood.

Many viewers related to Danny’s story of grief and were warmed by his devotion to his wife, as he dedicated his success in American Idol to her. Being 28 years old, this is the last year for Danny to be eligible to audition for American Idol. He shares in his get-to-know-me videos on the official site of American Idol that music is a big part of his life and he hopes to spread a message through his voice and his story. Read the rest of this entry »

Kris Allen

Hailing from Little Rock, Arkansas, Kris Allen developed his passion here for singing, songwriting, as well playing several instruments such as the piano, ukulele, and viola.  All the passion started at the young age of 13 when he independently taught himself how to play the guitar.  Starting at a young age, he became a member of the New Life Church of Little Rock and performed with them for many years.  This passion has brought him to great places and gave him wonderful opportunities to share his music with other people.  Through this, he was able to reach out to many oppressed and less privileged people.  Kris has traveled to many places such as Thailand, Mozambique, Spain, and Morocco, and these travels had a big influence on how he writes his music.  He even has his own independent fill length CD which was released in September 2007, entitled “Brand New Shoes.”  In this album, Kris’ talents in singing, songwriting, guitar playing, and piano playing are surely showcased.  At first glance, Kris appears very calm and laidback, but his music has been described to be very soulful and deep.

In Season 8 of American Idol, Kris Allen, a business major at the University of Arkansas, auditioned with his brother in the San Francisco auditions.  Unfortunately, his brother did not make it through to Hollywood. Kris, on the other hand, got the coveted golden ticket.  According to Allen, he did not expect to make it as far as to be part of the Final 36 who will eventually compete to get a spot in the Top 12, when the competition really begins.  He says that as you keep going through audition after audition, and round after round, you never think that you might get through to the next, so it is all crazy and overwhelming for him. Read the rest of this entry »

Allison Iraheta

Allison Iraheta is one of the youngest American Idol bets. This 16-year old girl has been singing since the age of 5, and now, her years of training are finally paying off. Allison auditioned for American Idol in San Francisco. She sang a popular choice for Idol aspirants – “Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin. She impressed the judges, leaving San Francisco with a big smile and a golden ticket to Hollywood.

This high school student is no newbie to reality shows. In 2006 she joined an idol-like telemundo reality show called Quinaceañera. She has also been in a few commercials, and has been singing for many years. She has been awarded the “Celebrate Life with Hope” award from Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles. Allison also sang at the benefit with pop icon, Babyface. Her background gives her a definite edge in this competition.

Truly, Allison is on the road to fame. The Los Angeles native even has got her own fan site even before she joined American Idol! Allison claims that she has always been an American Idol fan, and has been watching since the beginning of the show. Now it is her time to be in it.

As idol progresses, she continues to gather fans who root for her idol success. Her rendition of the popular song, “Total Eclipse of the Heart” was impressive. She sang the song her own style and moved the audience in awe. Allison Iraheta earned a spot in the top 36. She was in the second group that vied to get into the Top 12 finalists of American Idol Season 8. Read the rest of this entry »

Adam Lambert

How could one not be moved by a theatrical rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody?” Although it has been one of the most used audition pieces for American Idol, but Adam Lambert’s audition definitely is a cut above the rest. Showing off his mad vocal range and quality theatrics, he has managed to make his own style shine through. It is no surprise that he leaves the San Francisco audition room with four yeses and a golden ticket.

Adam Lambert is one of the most remarkable contestants in American Idol Season 8. He strikes as the “stage cutie” with his good looks and charming face. Certainly, he has the entire package that could lead him to Idol success. He has made it to the season’s Top 36, which is more than what most aspiring singers would ever get to. This twenty-six-year old aspiring idol was born in San Diego, California. He spent his early years there, but is now residing in Hollywood. What makes Adam Lambert one of the season’s best?

Adam is no newbie in the performing arts. He has a definite edge when it comes to musical background and training. His father, who was a DJ, got him exposed to different kinds of music making him familiar to music’s finest over the last decades. He has been singing since he was ten years old and has been in musical theatre for the past eight years. Performing on stage for several productions, he was cast in “Musical Hair,” a six-month European tour, which became a pivotal point in his career. He successfully gained credibility as an artist as he returned to Hollywood. He was involved in the LA production of “Wicked,” and was cast alongside Val Kilmer as Joshua in “The Ten Commandments” back in 2004. As a natural crowd pleaser, Adam caught the attention of New York Times and LA Times citing his personal sound and style as one of the best. Read the rest of this entry »