Friday

Anoop Desai Goes Home

Chapel Hill’s very own Anoop Desai was determined to make waves during his time on American Idol, and he certainly did that. With comments such as “you just managed to go from zero to hero,” from Cowell himself, Desai was, undoubtedly, very much liked by the judges. As all result shows, Desai was placed into the bottom three contestants, but this time, he wasn’t saved, as he was part of a double-elimination.

Desai made history on Idol when he was the first contestant to be pulled onto Idol in a special Top 13 contestants. Coming from a singing background of UNC’s very own a’capella group, Clef Hangers, it was certain that he was going to rock the stage during each performance.

And that’s just what Anoop did!

Anoop’s last performance was during Disco Night, when he performed “Dim The Lights.” After that performance Paula said, “No one can deny how beautiful your vocals were,” while Kara added, “It sounded like it could be on the radio.” Simon, as always, was one to rain on someone’s parade when he said, “That was mediocre at best.”

But it was during the song “Caught Up,” when Randy told Anoop that he, “definitely picked up [his] swagger.” While Simon was Simon and said, “You came over as a ‘wannabe’.”

But who listens to Simon anyways Truthfully speaking, it was Anoop’s fans who brought him into the Top 7 and they are the ones we should be listening to!

Shawuille of Spring Valley High School said, ”I’m starting to believe American Idol is rigged. There is no way that someone with such dedicated fans, enormous talent, and such a beautiful personality, could have been eliminated. We will be there every step of the way to support him in the future. He was real and geniune – a true Southern hero. He is humble and honest and I thank and appreciate him for every moment we got to marvel at a REAL American Idol on the screen.”

Monica Lee wrote to me on his Facebook Group, “his makeover was a jaw-dropping, head-stopping, smoking hot, 180 degrees fantastic turn and wise choice from his usual look. Not that I didn’t love the old Anoop, but that change was certainly for the better. MISSING YOU GREATLY ANOOP!!”

Holly Driggers of UNC has to say, “I love Anoop. I think he’s amazing, not just musically, but as a human being. He has a strong sense of character and moral. He is a true southern gentleman. His talent is absolutely unreal. I’ll miss his originality and R&B flavor he’s able to incorporate into every performance. While I’m heartbroken to see him go, I know that this is just the beginning for this wonderful man. His wonderful fans (myself included) will continue to support him throughout his music career. This is just the beginning for Anoop, and I couldn’t be more proud to call myself an “Anoop Trooper”. Go Anoop!”

Another fan of Anoop, Niki S., wrote to me on his Facebook group also. She said, “I think that it’s the shows loss. I think that Anoop is better than the show, and he doesnt need it. He will be in the ranks of JHud and Daughtry (not winning, but being extremely successful still). He is the classiest person I have ever seen in my life, honestly. I think he is going to be huge. Ne-yo, Jesse Mccartney, Akon, Kanye – etc will all be wanting to work with him! He is something new and fresh – he has got that special something. There is no one out there like him in todays music. The music business NEEDS him!”

And even international fans had things to say! Zahara Rizvi of the U.K. wrote me, “You sure can get all the feedback you want, we have got many Nooper Troopers here.He was one of the most vocally gifted ones from the lot. His voice can sure make one melt right out. Its got the same kind of honest magic that some of the greatest artists like MJ can boast of. He deserved to stay and through the time at A.I. he remained true to who he is: unpretentious and genuine. The fact that he is talented is no secret, I mean he made the judges go for TOP 13 didn’t he?! This and his many other achievements on the show and off the show along with undying support and huge fanbase even after he has been voted off will ensure his path to stardom…love you forever ANooooopppp!!!”

Rizvi also went to add, “Anoop being voted off despite his talent and immense support is a little questionable. But im sure Anoop is going to be sort of like a Jennifer Hudson success story…only bigger cuz he’s better!”

So Anoop, if you’re reading this, and I’m certain you will since I’m an admin on your Facebook group go out there, make your moves, and build that name for yourself. You’ve got style, personality, charisma, and of course…talent! The way you can control your voice is amazing and not to mention, you’ve got hundreds and thousands of fans, not just in the US, but internationally, and they are all waiting for you to put out some music! 

Desai has a down to Earth personality and it was that which captivated all his fans with every performance during Idol. In a press statement, Anoop has said that he’d love to persue a career in music, adding that Ne-Yo is one of his favorite artists. Who knows…maybe one day, we’ll see a Noop Dogg/Ne-Yo track on the Billboard Top 100 But till then, the music industry better look out because Anoop Desai is a cross-cultural connection! He’s putting India on the map in American Idol and we couldn’t be more proud of him!

GO ANOOP!