Jermaine Sellers Blog

AI's Jermaine Sellers sings "Keep Your Head to the Sky"

2010-05-05T15:22:00.000-07:00

American Idol Season 9 contestant Jermaine Sellers sings "Keep Your Head to the Sky" on BET's Sunday's Best.

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Jermaine Sellers Performs at the AME General Conference 2008

2010-04-15T16:32:00.000-07:00

Jermaine Sellers of American Idol Season 9 and BET's Sunday's Best opens for Jonathan Nelson and Marvin Sapp at the African Methodist Episcopal Church's General Conference

Get Jermaine Sellers' pre-American Idol album

2010-04-15T02:46:00.000-07:00

American Idol Season 9 Top 24 contestant Jermaine Sellers' album, The Prequel, features the songs: "The First Noel", "Why Can't We", "Questioned Praise", "Seasons" and "Down in My Soul". Order the MP3 or CD album by clicking the image below.

Jermaine Sellers' The Prequel, a christian/gospel 5-track EP, has been highly praised, and will be a 'god-send' to all those longing to hear Jermaine since he left American Idol.

Jermaine Sellers sings "Tis So Sweet"

2010-04-05T13:54:00.000-07:00

Jermaine Sellers sings "Tis So Sweet", a hymn of trust and faith, on BET's Sunday's Best. The song, written in 1882, is included in many hymnals and has been recorded by many artists, including a contemporary version by Amy Grant who has released two award-winning hymns albums and Alan Jackson who recorded "Tis so Sweet to Believe in Jesus" and 14 other gospel hymns from his youth on the album "Precious Memories".

American Idol's Jermaine Sellers sings "Tomorrow"

2010-03-26T10:15:00.000-07:00

American Idol Season 9 contestant Jermaine Sellers sings "Tomorrow" on BET's Sunday's Best.

Jermaine Sellers Says he Appeared 'Diva-Ish' on American Idol

2010-03-18T16:00:00.000-07:00

Jermaine Sellers got some pretty harsh feedback from the "American Idol" judges for his semifinal performances, but said he was convinced that his faith would carry him through the negativity.

His dream came to an end, however, on Thursday, when he was voted out of the competition, along with John Park, Haeley Vaughn and Michelle Delamor. "In God, there's no failure," the 27-year-old said after his elimination.

So what's next for the Joliet, Illinois, church singer? We caught up with him Friday (March 5) to discuss that and much more.

Q: You were very outspoken about your faith on the show. Do you think your post-singing comments had anything to do with your elimination?

A: Though I hate to say it, yeah, I do. Because sometimes, the camera can make you look more arrogant and diva-ish. Anybody that knows me knows I'm, like, the coolest guy. I like to make people laugh. I honestly do wear a onesie to bed, the whole nine yards. I hate it that I was made out to look like something that I'm not, but it's television. I felt like every night that I went out there, I sang from my heart. And the part that really messed me up the most was that I couldn't focus, because I was so scared about what was going to be said this week as far as me singing so much. I just felt like, the best way to prove a person wrong is by fighting them with God, letting God fight your battles. That's why I kept throwing it out there. A lot of people don't realize that with us making it this far in the competition, we haven't really sat down and took time to thank God for us even making it this far. And without him, we'll fail. That's why I kept having to throw him out there. We don't acknowledge him enough.

Q: The judges obviously liked you enough to put you in the top 24, but then they tore you apart once the semifinals started. How did you take their sudden criticism?

A: I took it the best way that I possibly could. The thing about it is, as an artist, you have to stay true to yourself. And with you staying true to yourself, it's a certain way I sang my entire life, from a child on up. I kept pulling back. I pulled back a lot, because there was a lot more that I could have done. I felt like if I pulled any more back, it would be like I'm basically whispering to them. I'm a church singer.

Q: What was your favorite part about making it so far on "American Idol"?

A: Making it to top 20, it's a blessing. That's the best experience about it, just getting on that platform and being able to, not just sing to people, but to minister to them too. People don't realize that the reason I sang songs like Oleta Adams "Get Here" and Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On?" — half of the reason I did "What's Going On" was because I felt like we're not paying attention to what's going on as far as Haiti, as far as Chile. We're not paying attention to it. We're spending time focusing on other stuff when we should be focusing on what's actually going on in the world right now.

Q: If you could go back, would you change your song selections because of the judges' comments?

A: "American Idol" is for teenyboppers. There's a lot of young people and they want to hear more current stuff. They want to hear the Keri Hilson stuff, "Knocks You Down" type stuff. And that's not where my soul is. I'm more of "Let's talk about reality. Let's talk about what's going on right now." When I sang "Get Here," I wasn't just talking about one specific individual; I was talking about peace. I was talking about love, respect, joy. I want all of that to come back to us. Even though I tried to deliver it the best way that I could, I never got my point across because I let fear conquer me.

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American Idol Curtain Call interviews: Jermaine Sellers and Michelle Delamor

2010-03-13T09:00:00.000-08:00

American Idol Season 9 contestants Jermaine Sellers and Michelle Delamor gave it their best shot and now look forward to their future.

Download Jermaine Sellers American Idol performances Here

ET interviews Haeley Vaughn, Michelle Delamor, Jermaine Sellers and John Park

2010-03-07T10:15:00.000-08:00

ET interviews eliminated American Idol Season 9 contestants Haeley Vaughn, Michelle Delamor, Jermaine Sellers and John Park.

Haeley Vaughn and Jermaine Sellers talk with Fox LA

2010-03-05T14:28:00.000-08:00

Eliminated American Idol Season 9 contestants Haeley Vaughn and Jermaine Sellers talk with Fox 11 LA

Jermaine Sellers sings “What’s Goin’ On” by Marvin Gaye on American Idol

2010-03-03T08:47:00.000-08:00

Jermaine Sellers sings “What’s Goin’ On” by Marvin Gaye on the American Idol Season 9 Top 10 Boys show.

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Get Jermaine Sellers album "The Prequel"

2010-02-26T16:11:00.000-08:00

Check out American Idol Season 9 contestant Jermaine Sellers pre-Idol album "The Prequel"

Jermaine Sellers sings “Get Here” by Oleta Adams on American Idol

2010-02-25T08:29:00.000-08:00

Jermaine Sellers sings “Get Here” by Oleta Adams on the American Idol Season 9 Top 24 show.

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Get To Know American Idol's Jermaine Sellers

2010-02-21T14:00:00.000-08:00

American Idol Season 9 semifinalist Jermaine Sellers is not your average church singer! This mama's boy can speak Gibberish too.

Meet American Idol's Jermaine Sellers

2010-02-19T16:00:00.000-08:00

Jermaine Sellers, 27

Hometown: Joliet, IL
Currently Resides: Joliet, IL
Twitter: @jermainesellers
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jermaine-Sellers/219896370928

Sellers lives in his hometown of Joliet, IL, and began singing at age 7. Before auditioning for IDOL, he was singing in his local church and helping take care of his mother.

Jermaine Sellers, Siobhan Magnus, Crystal Bowersox, Alex Lambert, Michael Lynche and Todrick Hall perform

2010-02-17T11:46:00.000-08:00

Season 9 contestants Jermaine Sellers, Siobhan Magnus, Crystal Bowersox, Alex Lambert, Michael Lynche, Todrick Hall and Thaddeus Johnson perform on American Idol Hollywood Round #3

Jermaine Sellers and group sing “Carry On” on American Idol Hollywood Week

2010-02-11T15:12:00.000-08:00

Hollywood Week Group "The Phoenix" – Moorea Masa, Ben Honeycutt, Jeffery Goldford, Jermaine Sellers and Kat Nestel - sing “Carry On” by Styx on American Idol Season 9.

American Idol Hopeful Jermaine Sellers Began Recording at Age 14

2010-02-05T09:35:00.000-08:00

Toward the end of "American Idol" Atlanta auditions, Randy Jackson called it: Self-described "church boy" Jermaine Sellers was the biggest talent the judges had encountered so far in season 9.

This, so far ... all of the cities ... best vocal we've seen yet," Randy declared (just two episodes into the season). "You've got skills. This kid is hot! This is the real deal right here."

Sellers' soul-flecked version of Joan Osborne's "What If God Was One of Us" delivered virtuosic vocal runs and showcased an overall control that belied the Chicago-area singer's 26 years.

Though the "Idol" hopeful has only just come to the public's attention after his breakout appearance on Wednesday's show, Sellers has been quietly recording music since his early teenage years. He makes his living as a church singer and maintains a MySpace page with a selection of original R&B tunes.

According to the site, Sellers has signed a number of record deals over the years — his first at the age of 14 — but never produced a finished album. As his career floundered, he found himself performing for Royal Caribbean cruises. Last year, he appeared on another talent show, BET's "Sunday Best," at one point singing a rendition of Earth, Wind & Fire's "Keep Your Head to the Sky." He finished third in the competition.

As is usually the case on "Idol," Sellers doesn't just possess serious vocal skills. His is a story of sacrifice and good deeds, from his community-oriented vocation to the fact that he's been caring for his mother since he was 17. She suffers from spina bifida, a birth defect of the spine that can lead to paralysis of the lower limbs.

"No trial, no triumph." During Wednesday's show, the judges made clear that he had triumphed during the audition round.

"Jermaine, I love you!" Kara DioGuardi said, as the singer earned the panel's unanimous endorsement and a ticket to Hollywood.

Jermaine Sellers - American Idol Golden Ticket interview

2010-01-16T07:28:00.000-08:00

American Idol Season 9 hopeful Jermaine Sellers has a message for people who are going through a tough time. He can also speak Gibberish!

Jermaine Sellers American Idol Atlanta Audition: "One of Us"

2010-01-14T15:28:00.000-08:00

At the Atlanta auditions for American Idol Season 9 one of the first stand-outs was Jermaine Sellers, who sang Joan Osborne's "What If God Was One of Us" with a bit of an R&B vibe.

No stranger to singing competitions, Sellers was the second runner-up on BET's "Sunday's Best" in 2007, and he also appeared on Tyler Perry's 'The Marriage Counselor.'

Jermaine Sellers sings "Keep Your Head to the Sky"

2010-01-13T17:22:00.000-08:00

Jermaine Sellers sings "Keep Your Head to the Sky" on Sunday's Best.

American Idol Season 9: Hotlanta Preview!

2010-01-13T10:49:00.000-08:00

Season 8 Finalist Alexis Grace interviews a lively bunch at the Season 9 auditions in Atlanta.

Randy Jackson says no Adam Lambert or Kris Allen clones on next American Idol

2010-01-08T16:22:00.000-08:00

There won't be anyone quite like Adam Lambert on the next season of "American Idol."

Easygoing "Idol" judge Randy Jackson told reporters during a Friday teleconference that he expected to see clones of the over-the-top eighth season runner-up or even croony champion Kris Allen show up to audition for the Fox talent competition's ninth season, which premieres Tuesday (8 p.m. EST), but there were none to be found this time around.

"Usually, whoever comes in first or second, that next season of auditions, you have a lot of those kinds of people," he said. "It's almost like a signal to everyone at home that was like them that now it's time to try out for 'American Idol.' It didn't happen like that this time. We got a very interesting, unique cast that's only unique to this season nine."

Jackson, who serves on the judging panel with Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and newcomer Ellen DeGeneres, said audition cities Dallas and Atlanta offered singers with the most starpower while Orlando, Fla., was "really strange" in terms of finding talent. He also said he was on the lookout for female crooners because the past two winners have been male.

"I think there's some really talented girls that showed up this time," he said.

American Idol Season 9 commercial

2010-01-07T11:28:00.000-08:00

The American Idol promo commercial features Kradam - Kris Allen and Adam Lambert. Check out Season 9 starting next Tuesday.

Toronto Star's 10 most important works of the decade: No. 4, American Idol

2009-12-28T19:11:00.001-08:00

We asked our critics and our readers to vote for the 10 most important works of the decade. We count down to No. 1 as we approach Dec. 31.

I asked Kris Allen, the 2009 American Idol, why people like the show so much.

"I think the beauty about American Idol is that it takes people that they can relate to, that maybe acts like a friend of theirs, or has the same job or something like that, and makes them into rock stars or country stars or pop stars," said the 24-year-old from Conway, Ark.

The man's bang on. The rags-to-riches story, after all, is a persistent cultural cliché. But instead of commoners rising to royalty, we have a farm girl from Oklahoma becoming a country mega-star (Carrie Underwood), or the girl from a small Texas town who used to sing in bars and now sells millions of pop records (Kelly Clarkson), or the Arkansas church music director who got to play on the same New York stage The Beatles once rocked (Allen).

You don't even have to win the reality singing competition to become famous: think Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, rocker Chris Daughtry, Broadway lead Constantine Maroulis or glam pop-rock sensation Adam Lambert.

Idol contestants come in all shapes, sizes, races, sexual orientations, ages (from 16 to 30), abilities (contestant Scott MacIntyre was blind); they're from small towns and big cities; they're a little bit country or a little bit rock 'n' roll, and everything in between.

Of course, the same could be said of plenty of U.S. reality shows that don't pull anywhere near Idol's viewership.

Its ratings are down, as are most network TV shows', but Idol still beats the competition every Tuesday and Wednesday that it airs. Just under 29 million watched Allen win over Lambert on the May finale.

But Idol's not just about numbers. It has become part of the zeitgeist since it debuted in June 2002 as a spinoff of the British show Pop Idol.

Idol's genius, in an era in which we simultaneously adulate and denigrate our celebrities, lies in combining the mythology of the American dream with a healthy dose of schadenfreude.

It starts with the audition shows, when just enough delusional, tone-deaf applicants are mixed in with the true talents to give the viewers something to laugh at.

As some are knocked down, others get built up.

By the time contestants have made it through the pressure cooker of Hollywood Week, when a couple of hundred wannabes are cut to 36 semi-finalists or less, viewers are finding their favourites: the people they'll cheer on and vote for.

And therein lies one of Idol's main attractions: viewers' ability not only to watch stars being born but to take an active part in the transition.

Throw renditions of hit songs into the mix, and the interplay between contestants, judges and host Ryan Seacrest, and you've got a hit.

Challenges lie ahead, however. The show has already lost popular judge Paula Abdul although replacement Ellen DeGeneres should maintain viewers' interest.

But will it survive the reputed departure of the most popular judge, bitingly honest Brit Simon Cowell?

Win a trip to the 2010 American Idol Finale

2009-12-21T15:16:00.001-08:00

Idol Day Sweepstakes

Enter to win a trip to the 2010 American Idol Season 9 Finale in Los Angeles, California.
Enter Here to Win!