|
Syesha Mercado Profile |
|
-
Birth Date: January 3, 1987
-
Birth Place: Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA
-
Birth Name: Syesha Raquel Mercado
-
Height: 5'4"
|
|
|
Biography |
Syesha Raquel Mercado (born January 3, 1987) is a
singer-songwriter and actress. Describing herself in an
interview as "a black Christina Aguilera or Alicia Keys,"
Mercado was the third-place contestant on American Idol
season 7.
Mercado was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut on January 3,
1987. Her mother Zelda, a former Motown backup singer, is
African-American and her father, José, is of Cuban descent.
She grew up in Sarasota, Florida, attending Daughtrey
Elementary School in Manatee County. Dreaming to become a
gospel singer one day, she signed a contract at age nine
with the Take Stock in Children initiative, a scholarship
program for "low-income families who show potential for
college but are unlikely to be able to afford a higher
education."
She graduated from Booker High School in 2005, where she was
in the Theater VPA (Visual and Performing Arts) department.
At the 2005 Florida Theatre Conference and the 2005 South
Eastern Theater Conference Syesha won "Best Supporting
Actress" for her role as the Sour Kangaroo in Seussical the
Musical. Mercado also appeared as a contestant on the failed
ABC talent show, The One: Making a Music Star in summer
2006. She currently attends Florida International University
in Miami, Florida.
She auditioned for American Idol Season 7 in Miami, Florida
singing "Think" by Aretha Franklin where she made it to
Hollywood with all three judges saying 'yes'. When she
arrived in Hollywood she had lost her voice and insisted on
going on vocal rest. She was seen communicating through pen
and paper throughout the week. She sang "Chain of Fools" and
was accepted into the top 24. She was the only female in the
top 3 and was voted off on May 14th allowing fellow
contestants David Archuleta and David Cook a chance to
compete in the finale.
Despite fairly good reviews from the judges, Mercado had
been in the bottom two or three five times without being
voted off. Some commentators, including American Idol judge
Simon Cowell, believed her style was more suited for
Broadway than pop music.
According to her AmericanIdol.com profile, Mercado's musical
influences are Whitney Houston, Etta James, Alicia Keys, Zap
Mama, Lauryn Hill, and Aretha Franklin. |
|
|
Other
Information |
Daughter of singer/actor Billy Ray Cyrus and Leticia "Tish"
Cyrus. Sister of Noah Lindsey Cyrus
Has five siblings: older paternal half-brother Christopher
Cody, older maternal half-brother Trace, older maternal
half-sister Brandi, and younger siblings Braison Chance and
Noah Lindsey.
She's known as "Miley" because ever since she was little,
her dad called her "Smiley". Then it transformed into
"Miley".
Her favorite sport is cheerleading
Her favorite book is, "Don't Die, My Love."
Her favorite song by her Dad is "Achy Breaky Heart."
Has written over a hundred songs and some of them have been
used on her show, "Hannah Montana" (2006).
Her favorite singers are Hilary Duff, Kelly Clarkson, Mariah
Carey, and Ashlee Simpson.
Her favorite album is Kelly Clarkson's "Breakaway".
Her favorite movie is Steel Magnolias (1989).
Likes to eat Chinese food.
Favourite hobby is going shopping.
She loves to watch High School Musical (2006) (TV) with her
sisters.
She has three dogs, Loco (because "It's crazy!"), Juicy
(because of the clothing brand) and her newest dog, Minnie
Pearl.
Miley was on the green team for 2 summers in a row in the
Disney Channel Games.
She has never taken formal singing lessons (as of June
2007).
Started auditioning for Hannah Montana when she was 11 years
old, She originally tried out for the part of Lilly
Truscott.
She won a teen choice award for Choice TV Actress: Comedy
for Hannah Montana in 2007.
Shares a birthday with fellow Disney Channel star Lucas
Grabeel.
Was ranked #17 on Forbes List of The 20 Top-Earning Young
Superstars.(2007). |
|
|
|
since May 20, 2008