The one and only Sanjaya Malakar

One of the most controversial contestant ever stepped on the American Idol stage is the crowd favorite, texter's choice flamboyant Sanjaya Malakar.

Sanjaya is a native of Seattle, Washington. He has an Irish, American and Bengali blood. He auditioned for the sixth season of American Idol with his sister. Both of them advanced to the Hollywood elimination round. His passport to enter the finals was when he sang a Stevie Wonder song 'Signed, sealed, delivered I'm yours'.

Since he enter the finals, AI judge Simon Cowell was very skeptical with Sanjaya. He doesn't have the powerful voice America's looking for and Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul, Simon's co-judges always gave Sanjaya the positive remarks. Simon then admitted that the only reason why Sanjaya was still in the running in AI because of his popularity with the text voters.

His version of 'Besame Mucho' during the Top 8 performance was his first performance that was well-received by the judges including Simon. Jennifer Lopez, the future AI judge, love Sanjaya in the rehearsals and on the performance night.

Sanjaya placed 7th and when he was eliminated, AI's rating dropped. Even affecting the ratings of 'Idol Gives Back' a charity episode of AI where they invited celebrities and past AI champs and alum.

After Idol, Sanjaya became too busy with tv appearances and guestings. And was even invited to the White house.

Malakar hosted TV Guide for a show called 'Idol Stars: Where Are They Now?' talking to the past Idol contestants about their lives after Idol and what are they doing now. Sanjaya helped writing the book 'Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul' and wrote his autobiography 'Dancing to the Music in My Head: Memoirs of the People's Idol'.

Sanjaya joined the second season of 'I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!' and was given the nicknama 'Jungle Boy' for being so comfortable in the jungle. He finished fifth in this reality show.

To date, Sanjaya's tried doing off-Broadway musical and being judge in small town singing contests. He is also touring the with the band The Brave Chandelier