Sanjaya Malakar | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

Sanjaya Malakar, who shot to fame as a Top 10 finalist on American Idol season six, is opening up about his sexuality.

The former singer, who is now 32, came out as bisexual during an interview on The Adam Shank Show podcast and he also discussed what it was like to be called “gay” in his teenage years.

Sanjaya was just 17 while competing on the show, on which his vocals were criticized for being “utterly horrendous” by judge Simon Cowell. He revealed during the interview that he’s now working as a pastry chef and bartender.

Click inside to check out what Sanjaya said in the interview… More Here! »

Sanjaya Malakar is set to join the cast of the off-Broadway hit musical Freckleface Strawberry later this month!

The 21-year-old entertainer, who is best known for being a finalist in American Idol‘s sixth season, will make his New York stage debut on February 23.

Since Idol, Sanjaya has written a book, released an EP, toured the world, and he’s currently working on a full length album.

Freckleface Strawberry is a family musical celebrating tolerance, understanding, and acceptance for everyone. The play is based on a children’s book written by Julianne Moore.

American Idol alum Sanjaya Malakar was seen getting cozy and walking arm-in-arm with a ‘female friend’ in Los Angeles on Sunday.

Third wheel sister (and Idol reject) Shyamali accompanied the pair on their lunch date. The brother-sister pair now share a house together in Los Angeles.

Sanjaya recently opened up to People about his music career.

“I’m not in the recording stages yet,” he said. “I’m writing music and starting to interview producers. If I had to define it, it would be alternative pop rock, like Paolo Nutini or James Morrison.”

Sanjaya also mentioned that he’s shopping to do a variety show similar to Donny & Marie in the 1970s.

“[Shyamali and I are] Donny and Marie for the next generation!” Ummm…More Here! »

American Idol alum Sanjaya Malakar hangs out at The Groundlings theater on Melrose Avenue on Friday in West Hollywood.

Do you Fanjayas think he can act as well as he can sing?

Past alums of The Groundlings improv include Will Ferrell, Kristin Wiig and Cheryl Hines.

More Here! »

American Idol hot commodity Sanjaya Malakar shops with big sis Shyamaliat the hip Harmony Lane store in Beverly Hills on Wednesday.

The Idol reject spent a short time in the Beverly Drive boutique before jumping into a taxi and heading back to his hotel.

Mommy Malakar was busted for growing marijuana in their house back in 2005, per The National Enquirer.

And People recently spoke with Sanjaya: “I’ve always gotten along with girls better because I was raised by women. I got teased in school because people figured I must be gay because I understand women. I think that’s why guys didn’t like me – because I got along with girls so well. When I went up to girls they would give me a hug and a kiss on the cheek like I was their gay friend. But I was the straight guy that understood them.”

Simon said it best. Sanjaya Malakar is “the smartest contestant we’ve ever had on the show.”

American Idol superstar Sanjaya Malakar is already working the publicity machine like a pro!

The 17-year-old Seattle native attended not only the the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner on Saturday night but also rubbed shoulders at an after-party with supermodel Petra Nemcova at the Bloomberg News Gala of the Year.

Mr. Malakar played it cool in a brand new look wearing a conservative suit and new highlights in his oh-so-luscious locks.

Work it, Sanjaya! We love your highlights and peach fuzz!

More pictures inside of Sanjy‘s new highlighted hair…More Here! »

Ferl‘s 15 minutes of fame continues!

Sanjaya‘s biggest fan, aka Ashley Ferl, is riding out her 15 minutes of fame for as long as she can. The 13-year-old posed for cameras in an exclusive photoshoot in New York City last week.

While in Los Angeles this week before, Ferl made it to a taping of American Idol and couldn’t hold back the tears during Sanjaya Malakar‘s rock-out performance of The Kinks‘ “You Really Got Me.”

When Idol producers noticed the dramatic waterworks, they invited the young fan back to the results show, where she got got to meet all of the Idols.

“I got all their autographs,” she enthused. “I got earrings from Paula Abdul. They’re like hearts.”

Ashley‘s favorite contestant from season 4? Fran Drescher double Mikalah Gordon.

I hope they invite Ferl back to the finale when Sanjaya performs!