Joshua Ledet

Ledet grew up in the small woody suburban city of Westlake in Louisiana's Calcasieu Parish, a part of the Lake Charles metropolitan area near Calcasieu River.[http://www.americanidol.com/videos/season_11/joshua_ledet/ Joshua Ledet: Going Places, American Idol, Finalists Diaries] In 2004, 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.Which ‘American Idol’ Performer May Be Responsible for Joshua Ledet's Career? Interview with Ledet, Scott Lewis , KISS-FM, May 12, 2012. [http://kissfm921.com/which-american-idol-performer-may-be-responsible-for-joshua-ledets-career-video/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203070638/http://kissfm921.com/which-american-idol-performer-may-be-responsible-for-joshua-ledets-career-video/ |date=2016-02-03 }} Ledet graduated from Westlake High School where he was a part of the school's theater program for all four years of school.Louisiana's Joshua Ledet makes top 3 on 'American Idol,' hometown plans parade and concert, Stacey Plaisance, May 11, 2012, Associated Press (The Republic), [http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/eb7fec8e2bda4fd093763714290bda66/LA--American-Idol-Louisiana/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120512105226/http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/eb7fec8e2bda4fd093763714290bda66/LA--American-Idol-Louisiana/ |date=2012-05-12 }} The first concert he ever attended was by Beyoncé. He grew up singing and writing music in his family church, the House of Prayer Holiness Church. He has a large extended family.

When asked to tell something about himself that would surprise most people he stated it was that he only eats spicy food. He noted on the reality show that he missed Louisiana Creole cuisine so 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 (a Cajun sausage), (chicken, duck and andouille) gumbo and jambalaya, donated by Louisiana restaurants and food manufacturers.La. feeds homegrown ‘American Idol’ contestant, April 2, 2012, Stacey Plaisance, Associated Press (Salon). [http://www.salon.com/2012/04/02/la_feeds_homegrown_american_idol_contestant/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503131454/http://www.salon.com/2012/04/02/la_feeds_homegrown_american_idol_contestant/ |date=2012-05-03 }}Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne overseeing food shipments to La. 'American Idol' contestant, Ed Anderson, The Times-Picayune, March 27, 2012. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120329212806/http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/03/lt_gov_jay_darsdenne_overseein.html]Ledet receives more food from New Iberia restaurant; live tour presale is tomorrow, May 9, 2012, Tonya LaCoste, KATC. [http://www.katc.com/news/ledet-receives-more-food-from-new-iberia-restaurant-live-tour-presale-is-tomorrow/] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120516123419/http://www.katc.com/news/ledet-receives-more-food-from-new-iberia-restaurant-live-tour-presale-is-tomorrow/ |date=2012-05-16 }}

According to the American Idol highlights, Ledet was studying criminal justice at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.

On his American Idol contestant page he notes his mother influences his musical style and he has had no formal singing training.[http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_11/joshua_ledet/ Joshua's Q&A, 2012] His musical influences include Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Fantasia Barrino, James Brown, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John.{{cite web |url=http://theadvocate.com/utility/homepagestories/2174448-129/la.-teen-competes-on-american |title=La. teen competes on 'American Idol' |date=March 8, 2012 |access-date=March 8, 2012 |archive-date=May 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514092105/http://theadvocate.com/utility/homepagestories/2174448-129/la.-teen-competes-on-american |url-status=dead }} In addition to soul, he enjoys country music.Joshua Ledet: Top 13, Joshua Ledet: Going Places, American Idol, Finalists Diaries. [http://www.americanidol.com/videos/season_11/joshua_ledet/] When asked what was the most embarrassing song he listens to, he said Aqua's "Barbie Girl."[http://www.americanidol.com/videos/season_11/after_the_show/ Your Most Embarrassing Song, After The Show, American Idol]

Ledet originally auditioned a year earlier (for the tenth season), but did not make it past the audition stage. 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.Is Joshua Ledet The Best 'American Idol' Singer Of All Time? 'He's really good and probably the best singer of the last three or four seasons,' one 'Idol' expert tells MTV News. Gil Kaufman, May 3, 2012. MTV News. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120505151147/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1684401/american-idol-joshua-ledet.jhtml] His performances have repeatedly earned him standing ovations and high praise from the judges.Westlake's Ledet makes singing show's final five, Judy Bergeron, May 10, 2012, The Advocate. [http://theadvocate.com/features/people/2707711-123/louisiana-idol] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504011006/http://theadvocate.com/features/people/2707711-123/louisiana-idol |date=2012-05-04 }} He says he combats stage fright by tuning everything out. George Huff (season three in 2004) is the only other Louisiana singer to make the top ten shows.

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 Idol contestant Fantasia, by fans, the media and even Fantasia herself.{{cite web |url=http://www.nola.com/tv/index.ssf/2012/02/tvld_joshua_ledet_takes_americ.html |title=TVLD: Joshua Ledet takes 'American Idol' to church, TV tweet, TV picks |date=February 29, 2012 |access-date=March 8, 2012}}Joshua Ledet: 'I Believe', Brian Mansfield, April 18, 2012, USA Today. [http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2012/04/joshua-ledet/1#.T67x147lf8s] 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 Christina Perri. 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".{{cite web|date=2012-04-05|title=Sanchez gets standing ovation for duet with Ledet|url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/entertainment/04/05/12/sanchez-gets-standing-ovation-duet-ledet|work=Entertainment|publisher=ABS-CBN News|access-date=2012-04-05}}{{cite web|author=Calonzo, Andreo|date=2012-04-05|title=Fil-Mexican Jessica Sanchez shows sassy 'alter ego' on 'American Idol'|url=http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/253959/pinoyabroad/fil-mexican-jessica-sanchez-shows-sassy-alter-ego-on-american-idol|work=Pinoy Abroad|publisher=GMA News|access-date=2012-04-05}} He also performed It's a Man's Man's Man's World by James Brown, which was called "one of the best songs in the history of any singing competition," by Randy Jackson. Kris Allen, AI season eight winner, named the pair as his two favorites this season.{{cite web|author=Shapiro, Rachel|date=2012-04-06|title='American Idol's' Kris Allen Talks New Album, Brand Loyalty, Fan Wars on 'Idol Hangover' (Video)|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/idol-worship/american-idol-kris-allen-didi-benami-309219|work=TV|publisher=Hollywood Reporter|access-date=2012-04-06}} 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).Joshua Ledet again earns rave reviews from ‘American Idol’ judges, Associated Press (Washington Post), May 2, 2012. [https://web.archive.org/web/20120503162054/http://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/tv/joshua-ledet-again-earns-rave-reviews-from-american-idol-judges/2012/05/02/gIQA6WcnxT_story.html] Ledet received a record 18 standing ovations from the judges, including his duet with Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino at Season 11 finale, the most of any AI contestant.{{cite news|last=Marino|first=Kelly|title='American Idol' Elimination Brings 'Relief,' Joshua Ledet Says; 'It sucks having a lot of pressure on you, knowing that you have to do this and that,' 'Idol' castoff tells MTV News.|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1685368/american-idol-joshua-ledet-jessica-sanchez.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520054128/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1685368/american-idol-joshua-ledet-jessica-sanchez.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 20, 2012|access-date=31 July 2012|newspaper=MTV News|date=May 18, 2012}} He was eliminated on May 17, 2012, placing third overall with the lowest total of 90 million votes cast.

{{smalldiv|1=

• {{Note|1|Note 1}} When Ryan Seacrest announced the results in the particular night, Ledet was among in the Bottom 3 Men, but declared safe first.
• {{Note|2|Note 2}} Ledet was saved first from elimination.
• {{note|3|Note 3}} Due to the judges using their one save on Jessica Sanchez, the Top 7 remained intact for another week.

}}

He took part in the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2012, which began July 6, 2012, and ran till September 21, 2012.[http://content.usatoday.com/communities/idolchatter/post/2012/07/american-idol-live-tour-kicks-off-in-detroit/1 American Idol Live tour kicks off in Detroit]

He performed "When a Man Loves a Woman" at the White House on April 9, 2013, at the "Memphis Soul" event. The show aired on April 16, at 8 pm. EST on PBS.

On August 26, 2013, he released an original, self-written song called "Here to Die" through YouTube. It has gained praise from Rolling Stone, which urged record labels to give it a commercial release.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/joshua-ledet-s-new-song-deserves-a-standing-ovation-20130826|title=Joshua Ledet's New Song Deserves a Standing Ovation|author=Lyndsey Parker|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=August 26, 2013|access-date=October 8, 2013}}

In 2015, Ledet started working on his new material as an independent artist. He recorded a single, "Love Can Do," which was written and produced by Bernie Herms.{{cite web|url=http://www.idean.com/making-of-joshua-ledet-love-can-do|title=Exclusive: The Making of Joshua Ledet's "Love Can Do" Music Video|date=April 17, 2015|access-date=January 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160203070641/http://www.idean.com/making-of-joshua-ledet-love-can-do/|archive-date=February 3, 2016|url-status=dead}} On March 6, 2015, Ledet performed the single on a local TV show in Indonesia.{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PmENp24_V3s|title=Joshua Ledet – Love Can Do|website=YouTube |date=March 6, 2015}} "Love Can Do" was released by Warner Music Indonesia on August 4, and will be released independently in the United States on September 18.{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/music/american-idol-standing-ovation-sensation-joshua-125895957556.html|title='American Idol' Standing-Ovation Sensation Joshua Ledet Returns With 'Love Can Do" Music Video|date=August 4, 2015}}

Ledet performed "It's a Man's Man's Man's World" on the final episode of the fifteenth season of American Idol.

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• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120306083119/http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_11/joshua_ledet/ Joshua Ledet] on American Idol
• {{IMDb name|4922826|Joshua Ledet}}

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Category:1992 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century American singers

Category:American Idol participants

Category:21st-century African-American male singers

Category:Singers from Louisiana

Category:People from Westlake, Louisiana

Category:21st-century American male singers