Return of the Sanjaya

Of all the many  paths across the Idol Nation, none has run over rockier terrain than that taken by Season Six anti-hero Sanjaya Malakar.  Initially a not-implausible mid-range contender with a nice voice, when his talents ebbed in the upper reaches his behavior became stranger and often seemed in outward defiance against the machine.  Eventually Sanjaya ended up hijacking Season Six as Idol haters (votefortheworst.com and Howard Stern) rallied around his exotic name and appearance and wacky behavior.

Anti-heroes are part of the Idol magic.  The show would be diminished if it were not for that novelty act each season who stays on board into the upper reaches to the intense irritation of "serious" Idol watchers.  Scott "The Body" Savol and Kevin "Chicken Little" Covais in their time drove critics to madness as they dodged the bullet week after week.  But none has created more of a stir than the legendary Sanjaya. 

At the end of Season Six, when I asked executive producer Nigel Lythgoe what the story of the season had been, he replied unapologetically and without missing a beat, "Sanjaya and three great female singers." (Melinda Doolittle, Jordin Sparks, LaKisha Jones).

Sanjaya's post-Idol career has also been the source of much rumor and speculation.  He has been publicly trashed by at least one of his Season Six comrades, mocked himself in an insurance ad and been reported missing by concert organizers wanting to hire him.

Well, now at last the complete Sanjaya story -- or his version of it -- will be told, in word and song!  On Jan. 20 Sanjaya will release both a memoir and an album, both entitled "Dancing to the Music in My Head: Memoirs of the People's Idol."  Amazon has samples of a few tracks up for preview.

If Sanjaya really tells what it was like to be at the center of that maelstrom and drops the "I didn't pay any attention" line he's always answered those questions with, the memoir will be a unique contribution to the field of "American Idol" scholarship.

What questions are you hoping he'll answer, either in book or record?  Please share your thoughts.

-Richard Rushfield

Comments

[DJ]

It wasn't just idol haters who voted for Sanjaya. He had and still has a lot of genuine fans, and they aren't all teenage girls. He has a very diverse fanbase, and we have been waiting for this moment for two years with great anticipation.

Sanjaya did not sing as well as he could have on the show, but he was not a pro, unlike the rest of the top 10. Even Jordin, who was also 17 at the time and eventually won, had already won Arizona Idol and had a CD when she was 13. Everyone else was already comfortable with performing: Melinda was a backup singer, Phil was a lead singer in a band for the navy, Blake was playing clubs in the Pacific Northwest, etc. But Sanjaya truly DOES have a wonderful voice. Give him and his songs a chance.

[cutabv]

Sanjaya is truly a singing sensation,but also without even understanding the attraction,voters in season 6 were attracted magnetically to the giant aura or spirit of this pure clean cut ethical guy who is a cut above the rest. .America has grown tired of the naughty,disgusting low life rockers and world of the sicko's in the music industry. Those of us who are old enough to remember the innocence of the original industry,long to see it's return,the fun and not the darkness !!!!!!

[dave1102]

I am a big Sanjaya fan and love his innocence, his spirit and his heart. I found it very difficult to listen to this 5 song disc. My favorite song is "Rainy Days" primarily because he stays within his vocal range. The other 4 songs finds him outside of his comfort zone thus very grating on the senses. Still I wish him the best...

[grace]

sanjaya has taken 2yrs to put out an EP and a Well written book,but they Both will be worth the wait, I have heard two songs on his ep performed LIVE complete with screaming fans And his voice still Soared over the excited screams,the book is well written,he co wrote it with alan goldsher[modest mouse]he goes in depth about what the contestants himself included goes through to just be in front of the BIG three[his name for paula,randy,simon]the long intence hours during hollywood week And on idol even the minors were working 12 hours or more ,
sanjayas book is insightful,Intellgent, endearing,charming & funny just like the young man everyone adored from the Audtion,
give the book and ep a chance , a REAL chance before you judge.

[clark]

I love Sanjaya!

[mitch]

Wow...a memoir at 20? Shouldn't memoirs be from people who have lived an interesting life or have been through a life altering experience? And only a 5 song EP? I guess like William Hung, Sangaya will milk his 15 minutes for all they're worth. Maybe when he's older he will find his niche, but in the meantime, I wish he'd just go away for a longer while.

[barbie]

I love this picture of Sanjaya on the cover. Someone on a different website
has added a new picture ,changing the look. I hope they will leave it alone .This is a beautiful cover,we artists have to lead ,not panic and go backwards by listening to those without foresight. Sanjaya is ahead of his time,and he can,t be afraid of that... it is a gift, and that is what has helped him to get this far . On Am Idol,Sanjaya sang Bathwater. Gwen gave him a horrible time,and Sanjaya,s own Mother discouraged him from wearing the Ponyhawk. However Sanjaya went with his gut feeling and the rest was history. The Beatles were leaders,the Stones, Elvis. Sanjaya is and has a gift ,and those around him should trust his inner voice.

[Goldee]

I sure hope Sanjaya will guest and sing ,and dance, on Am Idol this season..That will motivate me to watch ! So far this season is a bit slow.

[harve]

Does anyone have an answer to that last question? Will Sanjaya perform again on Am Idol??????????

[Mary]

He is adorable and I can not wait to see him on tour. I would buy the book and the album and would do anything to just touch his hair.

Mary