Early life
Ledet grew up in the small woody suburb city of Westlake in Louisiana's Calcasieu Parish, a part of the Lake Charles metropolitan area near Calcasieu River. His home life was slow and easy paced with lots of family get-togethers and friends sleeping over, the focus was "food and fun."[4] In 2003, when he was eleven he watched another southern soul singer, Fantasia Barrino, sing "I Believe" in the final show and win the third season of American Idol and knew he would like to sing for a living.[5] Ledet graduated from Westlake High School where he was a part of the school's theater program for all four years of school.[1][6][5] If he could not be a singer he would likely be an actor.[7] The first concert he ever attended was by Beyoncé.[7] He grew up singing in his family church and writes songs and lyrics for and attends the House of Prayer Holiness Church.[1][8] He has a large extended family and said his proudest moment outside singing is being an uncle to all his nieces and nephews.[7]
When asked to tell something about himself that would surprise most people he stated it was that he only eats spicy food.[7] He noted on the reality show that he missed Louisiana Creole cuisineso Louisiana Lt. Governor Jay Dardenne established a "Feed the Dream" project with the state's Seafood and Marketing Board to ship Ledet food each week including tamales, crawfish, boudin (aCajun sausage), (chicken, duck and andouille) gumbo and jambalaya, donated by Louisiana restaurants and food manufacturers.[8][9][10] He said a dish he probably could not live without is rice and gravy, from Creole cuisine, usually a brown gravy based on pan drippings, which are deglazed and simmered with extra seasonings and served over steamed or boiled rice.[11]
According to the American Idol highlights, Ledet was studying criminal justice at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.
[edit]Musical influences
On his American Idol contestant page he notes his mother influences his musical style and he has had no formal singing training.[7] His favorite male artist is Michael Jackson "because his style in music is unique and genius," Ledet would model his career like Jackson's because he was able to help so many people.[7] His favorite female artist is Whitney Houston because of her voice.[7]He would love to meet and sing with Fantasia Burrino as she is his favorite singer, and his dream song to sing is "I Will Always Love You".[7] His musical influences include Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Fantasia Barrino, James Brown, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John.[12] His favorite type of music to sing is soul but listening to music he prefers country music.[13] When asked what was the most embarrassing song he listens to he said Aqua's "Barbie Girl."[14]
[edit]American Idol
Ledet originally auditioned a year earlier (for the tenth season), but did not make it past the audition stage.[12] It has been revealed he was dealing with personal and family issues including situations caused by Hurricane Rita and its aftermath. His American Idol journey has been seen as somewhat effortless by music critics who note his soul singing is exceptional but may not be contemporary enough, however he is one of the best singers within the last few years of AI.[15] His performances have repeatedly earned him standing ovations and high praise from the judges.[16]He says he combats stage fright by tuning everything out.[7] George Huff (season three in 2004) is the only other Louisiana singer to make the top ten shows.[8]
Ledet auditioned for the eleventh season of AI in Houston, Texas. He almost did not travel to compete due to his fear of flying. He has been dubbed "Mantasia", the male version of former Idolcontestant Fantasia, by fans, the media and even Fantasia herself.[17][18] For the semi-finals he performed Jennifer Hudson's "You Pulled Me Through". He was one of the top five male vote getters and advanced to the top 13. In the top 13, he performed Stevie Wonder's "I Wish" and was one of the bottom three male voter getters, but was declared safe.
Ledet earned his first standing ovation in Hollywood Round, Part 3 when he sang his version of Jar of Hearts by Patty Griffin. In the Top 8 round, Ledet earned his first standing ovation of the evening for his rendition of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes's "If You Don't Know Me by Now". His duet of George Michael and Aretha Franklin's "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" with fellow contestant Jessica Sanchez got a second standing ovation from the judges, prompting Jackson to declare "Two of the greatest singers to ever hit this competition ... This is one of the greatest performances I have seen on this show".[19][20] Kris Allen, AI season eight winner, named the pair as his two favorites this season.[21] During the top five show the judges gave Ledet the most praise of all the contestants for his versions of "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations (for theme songs from the 1960s), and the Bee Gees' "To Love Somebody" (for theme British Pop).[22]Ledet received a grand total of 18 standing ovations from the judges, including his duet with Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino at Season 11 finale. He was eliminated on May 17, 2012, placing third overall.
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