Paris Bennett
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- This article is about the American Idol singer Paris Bennett. For other uses, see Paris (disambiguation).
- For the comic book character, see Paris Bennet.
| Paris Bennett | ||
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 American Idol promotional photograph of Paris Bennett
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| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Paris Giselle Bennett | |
| Also known as | Paris Bennett | |
| Born | August 21, 1988 (age 18) Rockford, Illinois |
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| Origin | Fayetteville | |
| Genre(s) | Pop/R&B | |
Paris Bennett is a singer who was a finalist and fifth-place finisher on the fifth season of American Idol.
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[edit] Biography
Paris Giselle Bennett was born in Rockford, Illinois on August 21, 1988. Her mother, Jamecia, and grandmother, famed singer Ann Nesby, were both members of the gospel group Sounds of Blackness. Bennett has lived with her grandmother since 2004 in Fayetteville, Georgia, attending Starr's Mill High School for eleventh and twelfth grades, but is originally from Edina, Minnesota. She attended Edina High School from 2003-2005 for tenth and eleventh grades. She was very active in theater and the performing arts. She played Dorothy, the lead in the school's production of "The Wiz". She was also a member of her school's Danceline and Hip-Hop Dance Club. Bennett attended Christian Life School in Rockford for eighth grade. Before American Idol, Paris performed at a number of concerts, singing during the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and opening for acts such as young hip-hop star Bow Wow.
[edit] American Idol
Paris told her mother Jamecia Bennett that she didn't want to sing anymore, because she didn't want to walk in the limelight of her family. Paris' grandfather told her to audition for American Idol. Paris told them that she would, but if she didn't make it she would quit singing and become a gynecologist.
Bennett's audition in Greensboro, North Carolina initially featured "Cowboy Take Me Away" by The Dixie Chicks. When judge Paula Abdul invited her to sing a second song, she continued with Carmen McRae's vocal version of Dave Brubeck's "Take Five." All three judges, including Simon Cowell, who is often cited as being conservative with his praise, were impressed with Bennett's talent. Simon called Paris' audition "unbelievable", Abdul said that Bennett gave her "chills", and Jackson was rendered nearly speechless, proclaiming only "wow".
On the first performance episode, Bennett performed the Gladys Knight & the Pips song "Midnight Train to Georgia." The judges were unanimous in their praise of her performance, remarking on her energy and seeming lack of nerves. She also recorded this song in the studio for the American Idol "Encores" CD.
On May 3, 2006, Bennett was in the bottom two with Elliott Yamin and eliminated from the competition.
[edit] Post-Idol
Bennett appeared on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Thursday, May 4, 2006. She got to spin the Wheel of Consolation. She won a Lincoln Aviator, only to have someone come out dressed as Abraham Lincoln wearing aviator glasses.
In Detroit on May 30, 2006, Paris sang the National Anthem at a conference finals NBA game between the Detroit Pistons and the Miami Heat.
At a homecoming celebration, she announced that she will be releasing a Christmas album and a Studio album.
On July 23, 2006, during an Idol Tour stop in Atlantic City, the audio system at Boardwalk Hall went out just as Paris was finishing her final song. However, she completed the song, despite a lack of microphone volume, before handing off the stage to Bucky Covington, but not before repairs were made on the sound system.
Paris has a duet with John Debney on the soundtrack of Everyone's Hero.
[edit] Trivia
- Her favorite judge is Randy Jackson because "he knows music and he's honest."
- Her favorite American Idol is 2004 winner Fantasia Barrino, because "she is a survivor!"
- Paris' family nicknamed her "Princess P", a name later used affectionately by her fans (Parisians or the Paris Posse) and the show's host, Ryan Seacrest. After her 18th birthday, they called her "Queen P".
- Paris loves Spongebob Squarepants.
- Paris is known for her many different hair styles while on Idol.
[edit] External links
| American Idol Season 5 | |
| Taylor Hicks | Katharine McPhee | Elliott Yamin | Chris Daughtry | Paris Bennett | Kellie Pickler Ace Young | Bucky Covington | Mandisa | Lisa Tucker | Kevin Covais | Melissa McGhee |
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Categories: 1988 births | African-American singers | American Idol contestants | American child singers | American female singers | People from Atlanta | Christian musicians | Georgia (U.S. state) musicians | Illinois musicians | Living people | Minnesota musicians | People from Minneapolis, Minnesota | People from Rockford, Illinois
