Didi Benami
Encyclopedia
Vered "Didi" Benami is an American
singer/songwriter
from Knoxville
, Tennessee
, who was the tenth place finalist on the ninth season
of American Idol
.
before moving to Tennessee at the age of 7. Both her parents are Jewish, her father being Israeli and her first name, Vered (ורד) means 'rose
' in Hebrew
. She spent most of her formative years in Knoxville, Tennessee.
. She started singing in the fifth grade. In school, she performed the role of Marty in the musical "Grease
" and frequently performed the national anthem in front of various crowds.
On American Idol, Benami said she was a cheerleader and mascot at Bearden Middle School.
Benami attended Nashville's Belmont University
before moving to California. This move followed the death of her close friend and roommate, Rebecca Joy Lear, in an automobile accident driving from Nashville to her Kansas home during the Christmas holiday of her freshman year. They wrote songs together, mostly on Lear's album, but Benami recently said that she would pursue Lear's music first and would most likely upload Benami version of Lear's songs.
, where she has lived for four years. She has credited her friend, Rebecca Joy Lear, as one of the reasons she auditioned for American Idol.
At Benami's audition she sang The Beatles
' song "Hey Jude
." The judges all loved her performance, including guest judge Avril Lavigne
. She became a front-runner in the competition following her well-praised performance of Katharine McPhee
's song "Terrified" (co-written by Idol judge Kara DioGuardi) on the first solo of Hollywood Week, where Simon Cowell
said "she was good." During the group week of Hollywood week Benami's group sang Alicia Keys
' "No One
." On the second solo performance of hollywood week, she sang Sarah McLachlan
's "Angel
."
In the top 24 performances, Benami sang Ingrid Michaelson
's "The Way I Am
" where the judges did not love her rendition of it, saying she has a good voice but it was rather "sound-alike." In the top 20 performance, she sang Bill Withers
's "Lean on Me
," where once again the judges did not love her performance with Randy Jackson
saying it was pitchy and Simon Cowell said it was like a screaching cat. During the top 16 performances however, she made a come back with the song Fleetwood Mac
's "Rhiannon
" with Kara DioGuardi
adding that that performance has the "singer/songwriter" vibe that she loves on Benami's performance of "Terrified."
On March 31, 2010, Benami was eliminated from the competition and finished in 10th place. Despite an encore of "Rhiannon" for the judges' save, the judges chose not to save her, though, Simon Cowell stated it was "a million times better" than her performance the night before.
after her elimination. She also appeared on various other shows during her post-Idol tour including The Late Show with David Letterman, The Today Show
, and Access Hollywood
. On The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Late Show, and Access Hollywood, Benami performed the Kara DioGuardi-penned "Terrified", her song made famous from American Idol
's Hollywood Week.
Also, a track Benami recorded prior to participating on American Idol, "Sweet Rain," was uploaded onto YouTube after she was voted off the show. The track was co-written and produced by Rocco Guarino, who also produced American Idol alumna Amanda Overmyer
's debut album. Benami stated via her Twitter page that she will be collaborating with producer Kyler England in the studio on 6 April 2010. On April 7, Benami had an interview with OK! Magazine. She stated, "I want to have a record out by this time next year. By the end of the year is my goal, but I don’t know how logistics will work out after the tour. I already started writing some songs, so I don’t know if I could get an EP out by the end of the year and then do a record the following year. I definitely want to do a compilation of Rebecca’s music. I would eventually like to act, that would be fun. I would love to do sitcoms, like Friends
. I love Jennifer Aniston
, I think she’s amazing. I would eventually like to write a book about all my experiences since I moved to L.A. About losing a friend, being an inspiration and turning something bad into something good."
In mid-April, Benami volunteered with "Idol Gives Back" along with various past Idol contestants including Elliott Yamin
. They packed food for local underprivileged families. She stated via Twitter that she is currently practicing for the upcoming American Idol summer tour for which she will be performing along with the remainder of the top ten finalists.
Benami appeared as a guest in the If I Can Dream
house. She sang Alicia Keys
's "No One
" with Katie Stevens
, Andrew Garcia
and Siobhan Magnus
and Radiohead
's "Creep" with Stevens and Magnus. She also sang "Terrified" inside the house, teaching it to former American Idol contestant and If I Can Dream cast mate Alex Lambert
.
Benami sang the "National Anthem" at the 2011 NBA Playoffs in Orlando, Florida on April 19, 2011 during the first round game between the Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks.
, Benami sang two songs, Katharine McPhee's "Terrified" and Kyler England's "Lay It on Me." She also sang in the group performance of Miley Cyrus
's "The Climb
" with Aaron Kelly
, Katie Stevens
, Andrew Garcia
, Tim Urban
, and Siobhan Magnus
.
Benami also appeared with Jason Reeves
on Jason's Official Twitter page where he thanked her for giving life to the song. They later sang "Terrified" with Jason on the guitar.
Promising to fulfill Rebecca's musical dream, Benami released and sang her version of Rebecca's songs "Lullaby" and "No Destination" on her official Myspace page.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer/songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
from Knoxville
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, who was the tenth place finalist on the ninth season
American Idol (season 9)
The ninth season of American Idol premiered on January 12, 2010 and concluded on May 26, 2010 on Fox. Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi all returned as judges, and Ellen DeGeneres permanently replaced Paula Abdul as the fourth judge. Idol Gives Back also returned for the season and was...
of American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
.
Early life
Benami was born in New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
before moving to Tennessee at the age of 7. Both her parents are Jewish, her father being Israeli and her first name, Vered (ורד) means 'rose
Rose
A rose is a woody perennial of the genus Rosa, within the family Rosaceae. There are over 100 species. They form a group of erect shrubs, and climbing or trailing plants, with stems that are often armed with sharp prickles. Flowers are large and showy, in colours ranging from white through yellows...
' in Hebrew
Hebrew language
Hebrew is a Semitic language of the Afroasiatic language family. Culturally, is it considered by Jews and other religious groups as the language of the Jewish people, though other Jewish languages had originated among diaspora Jews, and the Hebrew language is also used by non-Jewish groups, such...
. She spent most of her formative years in Knoxville, Tennessee.
Education
Benami is a 2005 graduate of West High SchoolWest High School (Knoxville, Tennessee)
West High School is a Professional Development school in the Knox County school district located at 3300 Sutherland Avenue in Knoxville, Tennessee 37919. The school's enrollment of about 1350 continues to grow every year with feeder schools such as Bearden Middle, Northwest Middle, and Holston...
. She started singing in the fifth grade. In school, she performed the role of Marty in the musical "Grease
Grease (musical)
Grease is a 1971 musical by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The musical is named for the 1950s United States working-class youth subculture known as the greasers. The musical, set in 1959 at fictional Rydell High School , follows ten working-class teenagers as they navigate the complexities of love,...
" and frequently performed the national anthem in front of various crowds.
On American Idol, Benami said she was a cheerleader and mascot at Bearden Middle School.
Benami attended Nashville's Belmont University
Belmont University
Belmont University is a private, coeducational, liberal arts university located in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. It is the largest Christian university in Tennessee and the second largest private university in the state, behind nearby Vanderbilt University.-Belmont Mansion:Belmont Mansion...
before moving to California. This move followed the death of her close friend and roommate, Rebecca Joy Lear, in an automobile accident driving from Nashville to her Kansas home during the Christmas holiday of her freshman year. They wrote songs together, mostly on Lear's album, but Benami recently said that she would pursue Lear's music first and would most likely upload Benami version of Lear's songs.
American Idol
Benami auditioned for American Idol in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, where she has lived for four years. She has credited her friend, Rebecca Joy Lear, as one of the reasons she auditioned for American Idol.
At Benami's audition she sang The Beatles
The Beatles
The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr...
' song "Hey Jude
Hey Jude
"Hey Jude" is a song by the English rock band The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The ballad evolved from "Hey Jules", a song widely accepted as being written to comfort John Lennon's son, Julian, during his parents' divorce—although this explanation is not...
." The judges all loved her performance, including guest judge Avril Lavigne
Avril Lavigne
Avril Ramona Lavigne is a Canadian singer-songwriter. She was born in Belleville, Ontario, but spent most of her youth in the small town of Napanee. By the age of 15, she had appeared on stage with Shania Twain; by 16, she had signed a two-album recording contract with Arista Records worth more...
. She became a front-runner in the competition following her well-praised performance of Katharine McPhee
Katharine McPhee
Katharine Hope McPhee is an American pop singer, songwriter, actress, model, and television personality. She gained fame as a contestant on the fifth season of the Fox reality show American Idol in 2006, eventually finishing as the runner-up.Her self-titled debut album was released on RCA Records...
's song "Terrified" (co-written by Idol judge Kara DioGuardi) on the first solo of Hollywood Week, where Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell
Simon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
said "she was good." During the group week of Hollywood week Benami's group sang Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
' "No One
No One (song)
"No One" is an acoustic song recorded by American pop rock duo Aly & AJ for their debut album Into the Rush. The song was released digitally as the second single from the aforementioned album on March 18, 2005. It was later included on Radio Disney's playlist, to promote Into the Rush...
." On the second solo performance of hollywood week, she sang Sarah McLachlan
Sarah McLachlan
Sarah Ann McLachlan, OC, OBC is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter. Known for her emotional ballads and mezzo-soprano vocal range, as of 2006, she has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. McLachlan's best-selling album to date is Surfacing, for which she won two Grammy Awards and four...
's "Angel
Angel (Sarah McLachlan song)
"Angel" is a song by Sarah McLachlan that originally appeared on her 1997 album Surfacing. As McLachlan explained on VH1 Storytellers, the song is about the Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin, who overdosed on heroin and died in 1996."Angel" was McLachlan's second top 5 hits...
."
In the top 24 performances, Benami sang Ingrid Michaelson
Ingrid Michaelson
Ingrid Ellen Egbert Michaelson is a New York-based indie-pop singer-songwriter. Her music has been featured in episodes of several popular television shows, including Scrubs, Bones, Grey's Anatomy The Big C and One Tree Hill, as well as in Old Navy's Fall 2007 Fair Isle and Opel's/Vauxhall's...
's "The Way I Am
The Way I Am (Ingrid Michaelson song)
"The Way I Am" is a pop song written by Ingrid Michaelson on her album Girls and Boys.On September 21, 2007, Michaelson made her network television debut performing the song on Last Call with Carson Daly....
" where the judges did not love her rendition of it, saying she has a good voice but it was rather "sound-alike." In the top 20 performance, she sang Bill Withers
Bill Withers
William Harrison "Bill" Withers, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. Some of his best-known songs are "Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", "Just the Two of Us", "Lovely Day", and "Grandma's Hands"...
's "Lean on Me
Lean on Me (song)
"Lean on Me" is a song written and released by Bill Withers in 1972.It was his first and only number one on both the soul singles and the Billboard Hot 100. It is ranked number 205 on the Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Numerous cover versions have been recorded, and it is one of...
," where once again the judges did not love her performance with Randy Jackson
Randy Jackson
Randall Darius "Randy" Jackson is an American bassist, singer, record producer, music manager, A&R executive, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is best known as a judge on American Idol and executive producer for MTV's America's Best Dance Crew...
saying it was pitchy and Simon Cowell said it was like a screaching cat. During the top 16 performances however, she made a come back with the song Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac
Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood...
's "Rhiannon
Rhiannon (song)
"Rhiannon" is a single released by Fleetwood Mac in 1976. The song was written by Stevie Nicks."Rhiannon" was voted #488 in The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine. Its US chart peak was in June 1976, when it hit #11...
" with Kara DioGuardi
Kara DioGuardi
Kara Elizabeth DioGuardi is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, music publisher, A&R executive, composer and TV personality. She writes music primarily in the light pop-rock, dance, and R&B genres. DioGuardi has worked with many popular artists; her songs have appeared on more than 159...
adding that that performance has the "singer/songwriter" vibe that she loves on Benami's performance of "Terrified."
On March 31, 2010, Benami was eliminated from the competition and finished in 10th place. Despite an encore of "Rhiannon" for the judges' save, the judges chose not to save her, though, Simon Cowell stated it was "a million times better" than her performance the night before.
Performances/results
| Week # | Theme | Song choice | Original artist | Order # | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | Auditioner's Choice | "Hey Jude Hey Jude "Hey Jude" is a song by the English rock band The Beatles, written by Paul McCartney and credited to Lennon–McCartney. The ballad evolved from "Hey Jules", a song widely accepted as being written to comfort John Lennon's son, Julian, during his parents' divorce—although this explanation is not... " |
The Beatles The Beatles The Beatles were an English rock band, active throughout the 1960s and one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music. Formed in Liverpool, by 1962 the group consisted of John Lennon , Paul McCartney , George Harrison and Ringo Starr... |
N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood | First Solo | "Terrified" | Katharine McPhee Katharine McPhee Katharine Hope McPhee is an American pop singer, songwriter, actress, model, and television personality. She gained fame as a contestant on the fifth season of the Fox reality show American Idol in 2006, eventually finishing as the runner-up.Her self-titled debut album was released on RCA Records... |
N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood | Group Performance | "No One No One (song) "No One" is an acoustic song recorded by American pop rock duo Aly & AJ for their debut album Into the Rush. The song was released digitally as the second single from the aforementioned album on March 18, 2005. It was later included on Radio Disney's playlist, to promote Into the Rush... " |
Alicia Keys Alicia Keys Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano... |
N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood | Second Solo | "Angel Angel (Sarah McLachlan song) "Angel" is a song by Sarah McLachlan that originally appeared on her 1997 album Surfacing. As McLachlan explained on VH1 Storytellers, the song is about the Smashing Pumpkins touring keyboard player Jonathan Melvoin, who overdosed on heroin and died in 1996."Angel" was McLachlan's second top 5 hits... " |
Sarah McLachlan Sarah McLachlan Sarah Ann McLachlan, OC, OBC is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter. Known for her emotional ballads and mezzo-soprano vocal range, as of 2006, she has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. McLachlan's best-selling album to date is Surfacing, for which she won two Grammy Awards and four... |
N/A | Advanced |
| Top 24 (12 Women) | Billboard Hot 100 Billboard Hot 100 The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday... Hits |
"The Way I Am The Way I Am (Ingrid Michaelson song) "The Way I Am" is a pop song written by Ingrid Michaelson on her album Girls and Boys.On September 21, 2007, Michaelson made her network television debut performing the song on Last Call with Carson Daly.... " |
Ingrid Michaelson Ingrid Michaelson Ingrid Ellen Egbert Michaelson is a New York-based indie-pop singer-songwriter. Her music has been featured in episodes of several popular television shows, including Scrubs, Bones, Grey's Anatomy The Big C and One Tree Hill, as well as in Old Navy's Fall 2007 Fair Isle and Opel's/Vauxhall's... |
9 | Safe |
| Top 20 (10 Women) | "Lean on Me Lean on Me (song) "Lean on Me" is a song written and released by Bill Withers in 1972.It was his first and only number one on both the soul singles and the Billboard Hot 100. It is ranked number 205 on the Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Numerous cover versions have been recorded, and it is one of... " |
Bill Withers Bill Withers William Harrison "Bill" Withers, Jr. is an American singer-songwriter and musician who performed and recorded from 1970 until 1985. Some of his best-known songs are "Lean on Me", "Ain't No Sunshine", "Use Me", "Just the Two of Us", "Lovely Day", and "Grandma's Hands"... |
5 | Safe | |
| Top 16 (8 Women) | "Rhiannon Rhiannon (song) "Rhiannon" is a single released by Fleetwood Mac in 1976. The song was written by Stevie Nicks."Rhiannon" was voted #488 in The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time by Rolling Stone magazine. Its US chart peak was in June 1976, when it hit #11... " |
Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac Fleetwood Mac are a British–American rock band formed in 1967 in London.The only original member present in the band is its eponymous drummer, Mick Fleetwood... |
5 | Safe | |
| Top 12 | The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up... |
"Play with Fire Play with Fire (The Rolling Stones song) "Play with Fire" is a song by English rock and roll band The Rolling Stones, originally released as B-side to the song "The Last Time". It was later included on the American release of their 1965 album Out of Our Heads.... " |
The Rolling Stones | 2 | Safe |
| Top 11 | Billboard Billboard (magazine) Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis... #1 Hits |
"You're No Good You're No Good "You're No Good" is a song written by Clint Ballard, Jr. which first charted for Betty Everett in 1963 and in 1975 was a #1 hit for Linda Ronstadt.... " |
Betty Everett Betty Everett Betty Everett was an African-American soul singer and pianist, best known for her biggest hit single, the million-selling "The Shoop Shoop Song ".-Early career:... |
10 | Safe |
| Top 10 | R&B Rhythm and blues Rhythm and blues, often abbreviated to R&B, is a genre of popular African American music that originated in the 1940s. The term was originally used by record companies to describe recordings marketed predominantly to urban African Americans, at a time when "urbane, rocking, jazz based music with a... /Soul Soul music Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of... |
"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted What Becomes of the Brokenhearted "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" is a hit single recorded by Jimmy Ruffin and released on Motown Records' Soul label in the summer of 1966. It is a ballad, with lead singer Jimmy Ruffin recalling the pain that befalls the brokenhearted, and their struggle to overcome their sadness so that they... " |
Jimmy Ruffin Jimmy Ruffin Jimmy Ruffin is an American soul singer, and elder brother of the late David Ruffin of The Temptations. He had several hit records between the 1960s and 1980s, the most successful being "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted."-Life:... |
4 | Eliminated |
Post-Idol career
Benami attended interviews such as The Ellen DeGeneres ShowThe Ellen DeGeneres Show
The Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show...
after her elimination. She also appeared on various other shows during her post-Idol tour including The Late Show with David Letterman, The Today Show
The Today Show
Today is an iconic American morning news and talk show airing every morning on NBC. Debuting on January 14, 1952, it was the first of its genre on American television and in the world. The show is also the fourth-longest running American television series...
, and Access Hollywood
Access Hollywood
Access Hollywood is a weekday television entertainment news program covering events and celebrities in the entertainment industry. It was created by former Entertainment Tonight executive producer Jim Van Messel, and is currently directed by Robert Silverstein. In previous years, Doug Dougherty and...
. On The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Late Show, and Access Hollywood, Benami performed the Kara DioGuardi-penned "Terrified", her song made famous from American Idol
American Idol
American Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
's Hollywood Week.
Also, a track Benami recorded prior to participating on American Idol, "Sweet Rain," was uploaded onto YouTube after she was voted off the show. The track was co-written and produced by Rocco Guarino, who also produced American Idol alumna Amanda Overmyer
Amanda Overmyer
Amanda Lindsay Overmyer is an American rock singer-songwriter from Camden, Indiana who was the eleventh place finalist on the seventh season of American Idol. Following her run on Idol, Overmyer released her debut album Solidify on December 10, 2008 and is currently working on her second album...
's debut album. Benami stated via her Twitter page that she will be collaborating with producer Kyler England in the studio on 6 April 2010. On April 7, Benami had an interview with OK! Magazine. She stated, "I want to have a record out by this time next year. By the end of the year is my goal, but I don’t know how logistics will work out after the tour. I already started writing some songs, so I don’t know if I could get an EP out by the end of the year and then do a record the following year. I definitely want to do a compilation of Rebecca’s music. I would eventually like to act, that would be fun. I would love to do sitcoms, like Friends
Friends
Friends is an American sitcom created by David Crane and Marta Kauffman, which aired on NBC from September 22, 1994 to May 6, 2004. The series revolves around a group of friends in Manhattan. The series was produced by Bright/Kauffman/Crane Productions, in association with Warner Bros. Television...
. I love Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Aniston
Jennifer Joanna Aniston is an American actress, film director, and producer, best known for her role as Rachel Green on the television sitcom Friends, a role which earned her an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award.Aniston has also enjoyed a successful film career,...
, I think she’s amazing. I would eventually like to write a book about all my experiences since I moved to L.A. About losing a friend, being an inspiration and turning something bad into something good."
In mid-April, Benami volunteered with "Idol Gives Back" along with various past Idol contestants including Elliott Yamin
Elliott Yamin
Elliott Yamin , born Efraym Elliott Yamin, is an American singer known for his hit single "Wait for You" and placing third on the fifth season of American Idol....
. They packed food for local underprivileged families. She stated via Twitter that she is currently practicing for the upcoming American Idol summer tour for which she will be performing along with the remainder of the top ten finalists.
Benami appeared as a guest in the If I Can Dream
If I Can Dream (series)
-Format:The show followed performers who moved into a house in Hollywood, California. The house was wired with 56 AXIS cameras and the footage was broadcast live on the show's website...
house. She sang Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys
Alicia Augello Cook , better known by her stage name Alicia Keys, is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, and occasional actress. She was raised by a single mother in the Hell's Kitchen area of Manhattan in New York City. At age seven, Keys began playing the piano...
's "No One
No One (Alicia Keys song)
"No One" is a song by American recording artist Alicia Keys from her third studio album, As I Am. Written and produced by Keys, Kerry Brothers, Jr., and George M. Harry, and released as the album's lead single in September 2007...
" with Katie Stevens
Katie Stevens
Katherine Mari "Katie" Stevens is an American singer from Middlebury, Connecticut who finished in eighth place on the ninth season of American Idol.-Biography:...
, Andrew Garcia
Andrew Garcia
Andrew Adrian Garcia is an American singer from Moreno Valley, California who was the ninth place finalist on the ninth season of American Idol.-Personal life:...
and Siobhan Magnus
Siobhan Magnus
Siobhan Evelyn Magnus is an American singer-songwriter from Barnstable, Massachusetts who was the sixth place finalist on the ninth season of American Idol.-Early life:...
and Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
's "Creep" with Stevens and Magnus. She also sang "Terrified" inside the house, teaching it to former American Idol contestant and If I Can Dream cast mate Alex Lambert
Alex Lambert
Alexander Don "Alex" Lambert is an American singer-songwriter from North Richland Hills, Texas, who was a semi-finalist on the ninth season of American Idol and starred on Simon Fuller’s “post-reality” web show, If I Can Dream....
.
Benami sang the "National Anthem" at the 2011 NBA Playoffs in Orlando, Florida on April 19, 2011 during the first round game between the Orlando Magic and the Atlanta Hawks.
American Idols LIVE! Tour 2010
On the American Idols LIVE! Tour 2010American Idols LIVE! Tour 2010
The American Idols LIVE! Tour 2010 was a summer concert tour in the United States and Canada that featured the Top 10 contestants of the ninth season of American Idol. The 44 date tour started in Auburn Hills, Michigan, on July 1, and ended in Indianapolis, Indiana, on August 31.The tour was...
, Benami sang two songs, Katharine McPhee's "Terrified" and Kyler England's "Lay It on Me." She also sang in the group performance of Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus
Miley Ray Cyrus is an American actress and pop singer-songwriter. She achieved wide fame for her role as Miley Stewart/Hannah Montana on the Disney Channel sitcom Hannah Montana....
's "The Climb
The Climb (song)
"The Climb" is a song performed by American recording artist and actress Miley Cyrus, for the 2009 film Hannah Montana: The Movie. The song was written by Jessi Alexander and Jon Mabe, and produced by John Shanks. It was released on March 5, 2009, as the lead single of the film's soundtrack by...
" with Aaron Kelly
Aaron Kelly (singer)
Aaron Wayne Kelly is an American singer from Sonestown, Pennsylvania who finished fifth on the ninth season of American Idol. Prior to Idol, Kelly was a finalist on America's Most Talented Kid at age 11.-Early life:...
, Katie Stevens
Katie Stevens
Katherine Mari "Katie" Stevens is an American singer from Middlebury, Connecticut who finished in eighth place on the ninth season of American Idol.-Biography:...
, Andrew Garcia
Andrew Garcia
Andrew Adrian Garcia is an American singer from Moreno Valley, California who was the ninth place finalist on the ninth season of American Idol.-Personal life:...
, Tim Urban
Tim Urban
Timothy Joseph "Tim" Urban is an American singer-songwriter from Duncanville, Texas, who was the seventh place finalist on the ninth season of American Idol. Urban's debut album and EP titled Heart of Me is due for a November 8, 2010, iTunes release. Hard copies of the EP are on sale on his...
, and Siobhan Magnus
Siobhan Magnus
Siobhan Evelyn Magnus is an American singer-songwriter from Barnstable, Massachusetts who was the sixth place finalist on the ninth season of American Idol.-Early life:...
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Benami also appeared with Jason Reeves
Jason Reeves
Jason Reeves is a radio broadcaster and television presenter from New Zealand. He hosts the breakfast show on Auckland's Classic Hits 97.4, previously Jason has hosted the drive show nationwide on Classic Hits and worked on The Edge as breakfast co-host and hosted Headliners on TVNZ, and New...
on Jason's Official Twitter page where he thanked her for giving life to the song. They later sang "Terrified" with Jason on the guitar.
Promising to fulfill Rebecca's musical dream, Benami released and sang her version of Rebecca's songs "Lullaby" and "No Destination" on her official Myspace page.
External links
- Official Didi Benami Site
- Didi Benami at American IdolAmerican IdolAmerican Idol, titled American Idol: The Search for a Superstar for the first season, is a reality television singing competition created by Simon Fuller and produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment...
- Didi Benami on TwitterTwitterTwitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
- Didi Benami on MyspaceMyspaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
- Official Didi Benami Page on FacebookFacebookFacebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...