Does anyone else remember when pundits used to argue that American Idol’s Sanjaya Malakar was the most famous South Asian since Gandhi?
Oh, 2007. We were all so young back then.
The Gandhi comparison is especially funny when you consider that Sanjaya was last in the news for a speeding ticket and busking in a New York City subway station.
Last night’s Idol finale inspired many news outlets to track down contestants from years past. While I will always wonder why Sanjaya and his management didn’t do more to capitalize on the notoriety he gained during the show, It looks like he’s turned out to be an almost-normal 20-year-old:
Malakar has enrolled at Cornish College of the Arts in his hometown of Seattle, which is known for its music program. And in his spare time, he’s working towards…a career in Calvin Klein ads?
“I signed with a modeling agency in Seattle,” Malakar, 20, tells E! — although he admits he’s “not necessarily an underwear model at this point. My body isn’t quite there yet!”
I wonder if Sanjaya’s sister Shyamali also signed up with a modeling agency? Shyamali was last seen performing in Japan last week.
(Hat tip: @krupali)
