Julia DeMato
Encyclopedia
Julia Megan DeMato is an American
professional cosmetologist
and singer who made it to tenth place on the second season
on the television show American Idol
.
in her home town and her father, Peter, owns Chase Equipment in New Milford
. She is a 1997 graduate of Brookfield High School
.
during the "Hollywood" phase. She sang Dusty Springfield
's hit "Son of a Preacher Man
" in the semi-finals. In the finals, she sang "Flashdance... What a Feeling
" and "Where Did Our Love Go
", before being voted off on March 26, 2003 after a rendition of Faith Hill
's "Breathe
".
" by Christina Aguilera
. She also recorded a cover of "At Last
" by Etta James
on the American Idol 2 Love Songs CD. DeMato's versions of these songs were well regarded by fans and reviewers.
However, her brief musical career peaked with the CD and the concert tour, and further success eluded her. Later in 2003, she had a short stint as a judge for the Oxygen Network's show Meow TV.
She was unable to secure a recording contract with an established company, but did record one song, "Let It Rain", with a company called Somme Music - an Internet storefront marketing that one song. Reaction to this song was mixed: some liked the vocals and also the music, while others had a problem with the composition and the negative tone of some of the lyrics (written by the head of Somme Music). No further songs were recorded.
Living in her home town of Brookfield, and working once more as a cosmetologist, she has appeared as a singer on an occasional basis, mostly in Connecticut. Between July 22 and August 2, 2008 Julia and former Idol contestants Trenyce, RJ Helton, Frenchie Davis, and Rickey Smith performed at the Razz Room in San Francisco. Vonzell Solomon, Constantine Maroulis, and David Hernandez also appeared in the Razz Room from August 5–16.
On June 18, 2009, Julia DeMato began hosting a 12-week "Summer Idol" Karaoke event at Rowley's Tavern,http://69.16.217.247/~coding/index.php a local Irish style pub located in Norwalk, Connecticut
. Julia starts off the evening singing a song, then offering color commentary and announcing upcoming singers. Other appearances in Connecticut include singing the National Anthem at the Thompson International Speedway
at a NASCAR
event.
On April 15, 2010 Demato and Idol alums Ace Young
, Diana DeGarmo
, Jorge Núñez
, and RJ Helton lent a helping hand to hungry New Yorkers by delivering food with City Harvest
.
Jim Polches, became parents when she gave birth in Danbury, Connecticut
. She and Polches planned to wed the following year.
In December, 2005, she made a brief return to the news when she was arrested and charged with possession
of marijuana and cocaine
, as well as driving while intoxicated after failing a field sobriety test. At first, DeMato claimed it had all been a misunderstanding. While Connecticut has severe penalties against drunk driving, she was able to avoid a jail term and a criminal record by negotiating, through her lawyer, an alternative sentence involving community service
and a program of drug and alcohol education
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional cosmetologist
Cosmetology
Cosmetology is the study and application of beauty treatment. Branches of specialty including hairstyling, skin care, cosmetics, manicures/pedicures, and electrology....
and singer who made it to tenth place on the second season
American Idol (Season 2)
The second season of American Idol premiered on January 21, 2003 and continued until May 21, 2003. The title of show was shortened from American Idol: The Search for a Superstar of Season 1 to just American Idol. Brian Dunkleman quit after the first season, and Seacrest therefore became the lone...
on the television show 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
DeMato is the youngest of one sister and five brothers. Her mother, Joan, is a realtor at RE/MAXRE/MAX
RE/MAX International is an international real estate company. It was founded in 1973 by David and Gail Liniger in Denver, Colorado, and is still owned by its founders. RE/MAX is an acronym for Real Estate MAXimum....
in her home town and her father, Peter, owns Chase Equipment in New Milford
New Milford, Connecticut
New Milford is a town in southern Litchfield County, Connecticut, United States north of Danbury, on the Housatonic River. It is the largest town in the state in terms of land area at nearly . The population was 28,671 according to the Census Bureau's 2006 estimates...
. She is a 1997 graduate of Brookfield High School
Brookfield High School (Connecticut)
Brookfield High School is a high school in Brookfield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.In the 2006-2007 school year the school had roughly 1000 students. This steep increase was due to one of the largest freshman classes ever, with over 300 people...
.
American Idol
The buxom DeMato was heavily featured in coverage of the early rounds of American Idol, including the showing of drama with fellow singer Kimberly CaldwellKimberly Caldwell
Kimberly Ann Caldwell is an American singer, actress, and television hostess, from Katy, Texas who was the seventh place finalist on the second season of American Idol. She used to work as an entertainment correspondent and hosted various shows on the TV Guide Network...
during the "Hollywood" phase. She sang Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
Mary Isobel Catherine Bernadette O'BrienSources use both Isabel and Isobel as the spelling of her second name. OBE , known professionally as Dusty Springfield and dubbed The White Queen of Soul, was a British pop singer whose career extended from the late 1950s to the 1990s...
's hit "Son of a Preacher Man
Son of a Preacher Man
"Son of a Preacher Man" is a song recorded by Dusty Springfield in September 1968 and featured on the album, Dusty in Memphis. It was written by John Hurley and Ronnie Wilkins. The rights to cover "Son of a Preacher Man" were originally offered to Aretha Franklin, who turned it down...
" in the semi-finals. In the finals, she sang "Flashdance... What a Feeling
Flashdance... What a Feeling
"Flashdance... What a Feeling" is a song from the 1983 film Flashdance, written by Giorgio Moroder, Keith Forsey, and Irene Cara, and performed by Cara. Despite the title, the word "Flashdance" is never used in the lyrics; however, the line "In a flash, take a hold of my heart" refers to the...
" and "Where Did Our Love Go
Where Did Our Love Go
"Where Did Our Love Go" is a 1964 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, "Where Did Our Love Go" was the first single by the Supremes to go to the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart...
", before being voted off on March 26, 2003 after a rendition of Faith Hill
Faith Hill
Faith Hill is an American country singer. She is known both for her commercial success and her marriage to fellow country star Tim McGraw. Hill has sold more than 40 million records worldwide and accumulated eight number-one singles and three number-one albums on the U.S...
's "Breathe
Breathe (Faith Hill song)
"Breathe" is a country song by American recording artist Faith Hill, released as the first single from her 1999 album of the same name. The song was written by Stephanie Bentley and Holly Lamar. "Breathe" became Hill's 7th number one on the country music charts in the US. The song spent four weeks...
".
After American Idol
After the show, she had some success on the American Idol concert tour, singing "BeautifulBeautiful (Christina Aguilera song)
"Beautiful" is a song written by Linda Perry and recorded by American singer Christina Aguilera for Aguilera's fourth studio album, Stripped...
" by Christina Aguilera
Christina Aguilera
Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
. She also recorded a cover of "At Last
At Last
"At Last" is a 1941 song written by Mack Gordon and Harry Warren for the musical film Orchestra Wives, starring George Montgomery and Ann Rutherford. It was performed in the film and on record by Glenn Miller and his orchestra, with vocals by Ray Eberle and Pat Friday...
" by Etta James
Etta James
Etta James is an American blues, soul, rhythm and blues , rock and roll, gospel and jazz singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer...
on the American Idol 2 Love Songs CD. DeMato's versions of these songs were well regarded by fans and reviewers.
However, her brief musical career peaked with the CD and the concert tour, and further success eluded her. Later in 2003, she had a short stint as a judge for the Oxygen Network's show Meow TV.
She was unable to secure a recording contract with an established company, but did record one song, "Let It Rain", with a company called Somme Music - an Internet storefront marketing that one song. Reaction to this song was mixed: some liked the vocals and also the music, while others had a problem with the composition and the negative tone of some of the lyrics (written by the head of Somme Music). No further songs were recorded.
Living in her home town of Brookfield, and working once more as a cosmetologist, she has appeared as a singer on an occasional basis, mostly in Connecticut. Between July 22 and August 2, 2008 Julia and former Idol contestants Trenyce, RJ Helton, Frenchie Davis, and Rickey Smith performed at the Razz Room in San Francisco. Vonzell Solomon, Constantine Maroulis, and David Hernandez also appeared in the Razz Room from August 5–16.
On June 18, 2009, Julia DeMato began hosting a 12-week "Summer Idol" Karaoke event at Rowley's Tavern,http://69.16.217.247/~coding/index.php a local Irish style pub located in Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
. Julia starts off the evening singing a song, then offering color commentary and announcing upcoming singers. Other appearances in Connecticut include singing the National Anthem at the Thompson International Speedway
Thompson International Speedway
Thompson International Speedway in Thompson, Connecticut, USA, is a paved oval racetrack that was once known as the Indianapolis of the East. It was the first asphalt-paved racing oval track in the United States and is now under the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series banner...
at a NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
event.
On April 15, 2010 Demato and Idol alums Ace Young
Ace Young
Brett Asa "Ace" Young is an American singer, songwriter and actor. He came to national recognition upon appearing on the fifth season of the reality television talent show, American Idol, although he was eliminated from the competition on April 19, 2006, finishing in seventh place.-Early...
, Diana DeGarmo
Diana DeGarmo
Diana Nicole DeGarmo is an American singer and Broadway actress. She finished as the runner-up on the third season of the reality/talent-search television series American Idol, narrowly missing the win by about 2% out of over 65 million votes...
, Jorge Núñez
Jorge Núñez
Jorge Núñez may refer to:*Jorge Martín Núñez, Paraguayan footballer*Jorge Núñez , American Idol season 8 contestant...
, and RJ Helton lent a helping hand to hungry New Yorkers by delivering food with City Harvest
City Harvest
City Harvest may refer to:*City Harvest, a Chicago Family Harvest Church ministry*City Harvest, a New York food rescue organization*City Harvest Church, Singapore*City Harvest Community Services Association...
.
Personal life
On July 6, 2005, she and her fiancé, electricianElectrician
An electrician is a tradesman specializing in electrical wiring of buildings, stationary machines and related equipment. Electricians may be employed in the installation of new electrical components or the maintenance and repair of existing electrical infrastructure. Electricians may also...
Jim Polches, became parents when she gave birth in Danbury, Connecticut
Danbury, Connecticut
Danbury is a city in northern Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. It had population at the 2010 census of 80,893. Danbury is the fourth largest city in Fairfield County and is the seventh largest city in Connecticut....
. She and Polches planned to wed the following year.
In December, 2005, she made a brief return to the news when she was arrested and charged with possession
Drug possession
Drug possession is the crime of having one or more illegal drugs in one's possession, either for personal use, distribution, sale or otherwise. Illegal drugs fall into different categories and sentences vary depending on the amount, type of drug, circumstances, and jurisdiction.A person has...
of marijuana and cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
, as well as driving while intoxicated after failing a field sobriety test. At first, DeMato claimed it had all been a misunderstanding. While Connecticut has severe penalties against drunk driving, she was able to avoid a jail term and a criminal record by negotiating, through her lawyer, an alternative sentence involving community service
Community service
Community service is donated service or activity that is performed by someone or a group of people for the benefit of the public or its institutions....
and a program of drug and alcohol education
Alcohol education
Alcohol education is the planned provision of information and skills relevant to living in a world where alcohol is commonly misused.-History in the United States:...
.