Photo Credit: Michael Becker/Fox Reality Channel

Sanjaya Malakar Returns to Idol Stage

The season 6 contestant is set to perform "Always on My Mind" on the Fox Reality Channel's American Idol Extra May 15

There’s no question that Sanjaya Malakar has been one of the most notable American Idol contestants with enough headlines to rival William Hung, and now the season six sensation is back in the Idol spotlight. Set to perform May 15 on Fox Reality’s American Idol Extra, Malakar, 18, gave Us a call to dish on post-Idol life, trekking to Japan to meet his fans, and explains why his days of rocking the “ponyhawk” are long gone.

Usmagazine.com: How did you come about performing for Fox Reality?
Sanjaya Malakar: They invited a couple of Idols from my season - LaKisha [Jones], Gina [Glocksen], Haley [Scarnato] and Blake [Lewis] were there - and it was kind of like a mini-reunion. We had seen each other briefly throughout the year but we hadn't actually all been in one place at the same time since the tour, so it was cool to be able to see everyone.

Us: How has fan reception been this time around?
SM: My fans are always really supportive. It's really fun to seem them and to interact with them on a personal level. I like the Idol stage - it's fairly small and relatively intimate. There are fans that will come across the country to see me, just to support me. It's really just incredible that these people can be so devoted to someone that they don't even know.

Us: What do you think it was about your time on Idol that really resonated with viewers?
SM: People tell me it’s because when I was on Idol I didn't try too hard. I just went out there and lived my life how it was supposed to go and didn't try to act in a certain way or manipulate myself or my emotions to be the “right" thing for whatever the situation was. I was very real, so people were able to see a deeper side of my personality.

Us: How are you filling your days lately? Still performing?
SM: I went to Japan and was able to see the culture and the music. They were definitely aware of my time on American Idol. It was cool to see that even in Japan I was received very well. It was very promising. Japanese fans are more subtle. I've heard that in certain situations, Japanese fans will be absolutely crazy, but in the situations I was in, if they noticed me they would look a little bit and walk on, they didn't come up to me. More reserved than in America.

Us: Were you working on music while you were there?
SM: I am starting to record music and work with some producers in Seattle. I don't want to go into too much detail because I don't want to give it away, but its definitely but its laid back, chill music. I have given thought to [doing] a TV show, too, but right now I am focusing on music.

Us: Do you have time to keep up with this season of American Idol?
SM: I don't watch it religiously but I have definitely been keeping it up with it. I am pretty jealous of them being able to play instruments! You get a certain amount of comfort from being behind a piano or a guitar. It’s a security blanket and when you are out there with just your voice, you are totally vulnerable. To some extent, you are more vulnerable with an instrument; you have multiple things to do, but at the same time, you make your own music and if you slip a little bit you can alter your music to cover up.

Us: That being said, you must have thought Brooke White’s slip-up a few weeks ago was brave.
SM: I think that is incredible because that's totally real. As a musician, I watched that and I am like ‘that's totally awesome that she can just stop and redo it.’ If I am watching a concert and someone does that, I enjoy the concert more. It's a real person not trying to pretend that thye’re flawless, and its important for people to remember that the contestants are normal people who come out of their lives to do something they love to do on the show.

Us: Lastly, we need to know: how you are wearing your hair these days after the phenomenon that was “the ponyhawk.”
SM: Relatively normal. I haven't been doing anything crazy with it.

Us: Will we see anything crazy for the finale, just as a throwback?
SM: I have been wearing it up for now, because it's easier to walk down the street and people don't recognize me so much with my hair up. It allows me to go back into myself and be this normal guy I was before American Idol. But possibly [I’ll do something], I’m not sure yet!

BY ALLISON CORNEAU