Indian American Idols Over the Years

Even as we wait for Hollywood week to start and the American Idol (revival) crowds to thin out, let’s take a walk down memory lane and check out the Indian presence at American Idol over the years. Why? Well, we have a contender for the title this year in Alyssa Raghu. And it’s as good a time as any to take a gander at how we’ve fared over the years.
Sonika Vaid placed fifth. Anoop Desai was another name that almost went all the way, placing sixth, way back in Season 8. He placed sixth. Sanjaya Malakar (Season 6) was more the stuff of headlines, but is struggling after all these years. Anoop, since Idol, had a better run and released one album in 2011 and two EPs, one in 2012.

So here goes…

Sonika Vaid
SEASON: XV (2016)
JUDGES: Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, Harry Connick Jr
HOW FAR: Eliminated by audience vote after reaching Top 5

Priya Vedula
SEASON: XIII (2014)
JUDGES: Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban, Harry Connick Jr
HOW FAR: Eliminated during Hollywood week

Shubha Vedula
SEASON: XII (2013)
JUDGES: Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban
HOW FAR: Eliminated during the Vegas SemiFinals

Gurpreet Singh Sarin “The Turbinator” American Idol
SEASON: XII (2013)
JUDGES: Randy Jackson, Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj and Keith Urban
HOW FAR: Eliminated during the Vegas SemiFinals

Anoop Desai
SEASON: VIII (2009)
JUDGES: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi
HOW FAR: Top 6

Sanjaya Malakar
SEASON: VI (2007)
JUDGES: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson
HOW FAR: Top 7

Shyamali Malakar
SEASON: VI (2007)
JUDGES: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson
HOW FAR: Hollywood week