Melinda Doolittle Third Placed Finalist American Idol

Melinda Doolittle is a singer who ended up as the third place finalist in the sixth season of American Idol. Before she appeared on American Idol, she was a professional back-up singer for Kirk Franklin, Alabama, Jonny Lang, Aaron Neville and Vanessa Bell Armstrong. She was born on October 6, 1977 in St. Louis, Missouri to Steve and Marguerite Duke Doolittle.

She considers Brentwood, Tennessee as her home since her Homecoming took place there after she reached the Top 3 in American Idol Season 6. She graduated in 1995 from Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma and her career began only after she received music major from Belmont University in 1999. After Melinda Doolittle was done with her college, she received vocal instruction from her coach, Janet Kenyon.

Melinda Doolittle initially auditioned for American Idol in Memphis, Tennessee where she sang the song For Once in My Life. Though she had just gone to Memphis to accompany some of her friends who were auditioning, she decided to audition herself just for fun. She was liked by all the three judges during the audition and was told by them to believe in herself.

In her first broadcast performance, Melinda Doolittle sang Sweet Sweet Baby , by Aretha Franklin for which she was praised. In the next week, she gave another brilliant performance with the song My Funny Valentine which according to the judges was the best performance of the night. In the last semifinal performance, she sang the song I'm a Woman which forced Simon Cowell to give her the name a little tiger.

Melinda Doolittles elimination on May 16, 2007, after about 60 million votes being cast, surprised critics, judges as well as the fans. According to Simon Cowell, either of the two finalists, Lewis or Sparks, should have been eliminated instead of her. He said that the reason for her elimination was that Lewis and Sparks were younger and younger viewers voted for them.

On the night when Melinda Doolittle was eliminated, she was referred to as one of the greatest singers in the shows history by all the judges. She was invited back along with the other eliminated Indian idol contestants to perform on the final day. Once again, she received a standing ovation from all the three judges as well the crowd, who deeply regretted her elimination.

Along with other Top 10 contestants in American Idol 2006, Melinda Doolittle was a part of American Idols Tour 2007. Once in a month, she appears on a web show known as Moments with Melinda where fans can talk to her. Being a part of the great show, she also shared her experiences in the book Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul.Melinda Doolittle