THE BEGINNING
Coming from a musically-inclined family (Sanjaya’s father was a classical Indian musician and both his sister and cousin can sing), Sanjaya Malakar had truly been very interested in singing.

While living in Seattle, Sanjaya Malakar had already spent three years with the Total Experience Gospel Choir. Similarly, having gone to Hawaii, Sanjaya Malakar had also performed with the Hawaii Children’s Theater Group.

AMERICAN IDOL SEASON 6
On September 19, 2006, Sanjaya Malakar and his older sister, Shyamali, auditioned for American Idol Season 6 at Seattle Center, Seattle. Sanjaya’s sister, Shyamali was then attending the Evergreen State College and was a resident of Lacey, Washington. Stevie Wonder was Sanjaya Malakar’s favorite singer, and his American Idol, so Sanjaya sang one of Stevie Wonder’s songs, “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” for his one-minute a capella audition piece. Although Sanjaya’s voice was decidedly better than his sister’s, the three judges had a unanimous decision to advance them both, Sanjaya and his sister, Shyamali, to Hollywood.

OFF TO HOLLYWOOD
For Sanjaya Malakar’s next performance, he sang “Some Kind of Wonderful” by Grand Funk Railroad. This time, only Sanjaya Malakar advanced to the Top 40, his sister was then thrown out. Sanjaya was crying so hard while hugging his sister.

The three judges, especially Simon Cowell, thought that Sanjaya’s vocal performance did not really sparkle in any special way. Simon admitted that Sanjaya was very popular with the voters, though.

MAKING IT
After Sanjaya Malakar had advanced to the Top 40, Sanjaya had continually secured his spot in the American Idol Season 6. Sanjaya had consecutively been on the safe side during the top 24, top 20, and top 16 competition of the show. However, Sanjaya had been included in the bottom three when he sang “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell. But after that, Sanjaya had been back on the competition again, securing safe spots for the top 11 and top 10. Sanjaya had been in the “neither here nor there” stage in top 9 when Sanjaya was included in the middle three. Sanjaya was still safe, nonetheless, as he sang “Cheek to Cheek” by Irving Berlin. Sanjaya was safe the next week, as he landed on top 8 with “Besame Mucho” during the Latin Night. The following week however, Sanjaya said good bye as he literally gave the people “something to talk about”.

The pieces Sanjaya performed are “Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I’m Yours)” by Stevie Wonder (audition), “Some Kind of Wonderful” by Grand Funk Railroad (Hollywood, in the top 40), “Knocks Me Off My Feet” by Stevie Wonder (top 24), “Steppin’ Out with My Baby” by Irving Berlin (top 20), “Waiting on the World to Change” by John Mayer (top 16), “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell (top 12), “You Really Got Me” by The Kinks (top 11), “Bathwater” by No Doubt (top 10), “Cheek to Cheek” by Irving Berlin (top 9), “Besame Mucho” by Consuelo Velazquez (top 8), and finally, “Something to Talk About” by Bonnie Raitt (top 7, eliminated).

POST-AMERICAN IDOL FEVER
Having had a controversial stay in American Idol Season 6, Sanjaya Malakar had been invited to attend and become a guest at some places (including the White House) and to interviews with magazines.

After being voted off April 18, 2007, Sanjaya Malakar was invited to the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner as a People Magazine guest. There, Sanjaya was given a chance to rub elbows with President George W. Bush. Sanjaya Malakar was very popular with the press people and fans, and an autograph was asked from him by the New York Governor, Eliot Spitzer.

Sanjaya Malakar was featured in the April 12, 2007 issue of US Magazine. The article was “Sanjaya Speaks” where Malakar was asked about his reactions to the parodies, Simon Cowell and Howard Stern’s comments of him, and to his new celebrity status.

Malakar was featured in the May 7, 2007 issue of People Magazine. There, Sanjaya talked about his American Idol run, his younger years, and dreams and future aspirations. Sanjaya said that he was raised vegetarian, a diet that the singer still follows up to this day.

Malakar ranked third in TIME Magazine's 2007 TIME 100 POLL for The Most Influential People of the Year, based on online public votes. He was not mentioned in the editor's official list, though.

Sanjaya Malakar was even nominated for TV.com's Fashion Awards in the categories of ON AIR: Best Hair – Male and OFF AIR: Best Trendsetter - Male.

Sanjaya Malakar was also nominated for "best reality show star" in AZN Television's annual Asian Excellence Awards, and attended the awards ceremony to be aired May 24, 2007 on AZN-TV and E!

HOMECOMING
The Federal Way City Council, though initially unable to locate his address, announced plans to honor the 17-year old aspiring singer. Sanjaya Malakar was welcomed by screaming fans at The Commons at Federal Way, and was praised by the city's Mayor Michael Park and King County Council member Peter von Reichbauer for serving as a great role model, with Park stating "Sanjaya's charismatic personality, contagious smile, positive attitude, and enthusiastic pursuit of his dreams are qualities to be admired."

Sanjaya Malakar was presented a Certificate of Appreciation from the city and declaration of "South King County Sanjaya Malakar Day". In May 2007, Sanjaya was also honored at The Seattle Center in Washington, where he was greeted by fans, signed autographs, and answered questions.

Sanjaya Malakar’s personality was so winning that the council had received 200 e-mails from around the country asking the city to honor Malakar.

TELEVISION APPEARANCES
Additionally, Sanjaya Malakar had made after-show appearances in the months following after his American Idol 9-week stint. The shows are The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Access Hollywood, The Today Show, Good Morning America, Live with Regis and Kelly, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, Best Week Ever, The Morning Show With Mike and Juliet, Extra, The Early Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live and the Rachel Ray Show 2007.

In addition to that, Sanjaya Malakar had appeared as a guest on Nickelodeon's afternoon block, ME:TV, where he "got slimed".

Upon meeting Billy Ray Cyrus, he was reported to be discussing a guest spot on Disney Channel's Hannah Montana.