American Idol 8 Contestant’s Profiles

Michael Sarver

Jeremy Michael Sarver is a 28-year old man from Texas. He got picked to be part of the 36 contestants who were selected to battle for the title of being the American Idol. He eventually got included in the top 12 spots of the reality show’s eighth season. Michael, as what he is more popularly regarded nowadays, first tried his luck in Arizona and there, he sang for his audition the song “Thank You” of the band Boyz II Men. That really must be his lucky day since all the four judges agreed to give him the chance to go to Hollywood. During the actual competition, Michael belonged to the first batch of the 12 out of the 36 contestants. But even though he was included in the first batch, it seemed like he did not feel nervous at all for everyone loved his performance that he became one of the three contestants that garnered the most votes which in turn guaranteed him as one of the 12 contestants who will become a finalist.
As far as his personal life is concerned, he is a married man with two very adorable children. Before he joined American Idol 8, he worked at an oil rig as a roughneck, which is considered as one of the most dangerous jobs in this world. Even though he has this job, Michael Sarver has always dreamed of being a singer and/or songwriter. And it can really be seen that he is truly inclined to music because aside from being a singer and songwriter, he is also fond of playing instruments like drums, guitar and piano. (more…)

Anoop Desai

It’s American Idol season yet again and it’s time for all the hidden talents of America to come out from wherever they are hiding. Every year, the contestants are somehow categorized into different stereotypes. There are the all-American boys and girls. There are the sensitive guys who play the guitar. There will be a rocking chick with tattoos. And then, there’s the geek who surprises everyone by actually being able to sing well.

This year, the geek is one of the most unlikely contestants. He is Anoop Desai, a 21-year old graduate student at the University of North Carolina, majoring in Folklore. He auditioned in Phoenix, where last year’s Idol winner, David Cook, is from. Anoop is of Indian heritage.

Anoop came into the audition room in a checkered shirt and beige shorts which made Simon Cowell quip that he must have come from a meeting with Bill Gates in Silicon Valley. And when he further shared that he was a graduate student, studying folklore (of all things), he was basically stamped a geek, a nerd. However, he showed a little bit of humor by telling judge Randy Jackson that he can call him “Anoop Dawg.”

But all the judges, including American Idol’s newest judge, Kara DioGuardi, were all caught off-guard by the soulfulness of Anoop Desai’s voice as he sang his rendition of “Thank You” by Boyz II Men. Based on the judges’ reactions, nobody really expected Anoop to sing as well as he did and he was given four yeses to get through to Hollywood week. (more…)