Jorge Mendez

Jorge Mendez

This is the way his grandfather would have wanted him to pursue his dream of becoming recognized as a singer.  Puerto Rican Jorge Nunez Mendez sang “My Way” when he auditioned to be an American Idol Season 8 contestant.  He wowed all four judges with his Spanish rendition of the Sinatra classic.  He also sang “What a Wonderful World” in English.  It was a four-way yes for 21-year old Jorge Mendez with all judges unanimously voting for him to go to Hollywood.

It was Jorge Mendez’ grandfather’s dream to have him take part in American Idol.  He had promised him that he would finance his travel to the United States if and when he makes the cut.  Unfortunately his grandfather passed on almost a year back.  Mendez just had to audition to live out his grandfather’s dream when American Idol came to San Juan, Puerto Rico to search for talents for its 8th season.  He had his day in the American Idol audition line up in August 2008 at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico.

Singing has always been part of Jorge Mendez’ life. He has been singing since he was 10 years old.  He was part of his school choir as he was growing up.  His range of performances range from classic to pop.  Evidently, his talents are more than just for group singing.  He can carry his own style in versatile solos.  Jorge Mendez does not only sing a variety of songs, he also speaks a variety of languages.  He can speak fluent French, English, and Spanish.  Mendez is a college senior at the University of Puerto Rico in Rio Piedras.  He lives with his family in Carolina, Puerto Rico, but he traces his roots from Cidra, Puerto Rico.  Mendez is one of two Puerto Ricans who made it to the Top 36.

In Hollywood, Jorge Mendez joined 147 contestants as they took turns in solo performances.  The semi-finalists were further cut down to 107 contestants for the group round and then 72 contestants for another round of solo performances.  The final 54 contestants trooped to the Judges’ Mansion in Los Angeles for the final cut resulting in the Top 36.  Mendez is slated to go through to the semi-final round where each of the Top 36 contestants will sing solo performances and then go through a viewers’ vote.  For this round, the Top 36 contestants are divided into three groups.  After each round of performances from each group, three contestants with the most number of votes will automatically move on to the Top 12:  the top male performer, the top male performer, and any one of the remaining contestants with the most number of votes.

Eyes and ears are trailed on Mendez along with the other remaining contestants as the semis begin.  Should Mendez fail to make the viewers’ vote, he still has the chance to make it to the Top 12 finalists in one of the twists in this year’s American Idol competition.  The Wild Card round in the semi-finals would allow those who are left after the first round of semis to have a second chance to perform.  In this round, the four judges will be the one to determine which ones are deserving of the chance to move on to the finals.  Three contestants will be chosen by the judges to join the Top 12 finalists in the Wild card round.