In a recent post announcing the autobiographical book Sanjaya Malakar is writing, I speculated that the book would not sell well unless he had some crazy, out of the ordinary story to tell
As it turns out, Sanjaya may have a very compelling story to tell.
In a recent interview, fellow Season 6 cast member Blake Lewis reveals the following to a reporter who suggests that Blake is the Idol to write a tell-all book:
But the person I think should do that is Sanjaya Malakar. I was very vocal about him, didn’t think he should be on the show. But he’s a great kid. And his life story is super shocking. I can’t tell you why. I’ve burned him enough already. Trust me, though. It’d be a New York Times best seller.
More after the JUMP…
The kids live in very close quarters throughout the competition, I have no doubt there are secrets that are shared amongst themselves.
What could be interesting about Sanjaya’s childhood? Well, for starters, his mom and step-father were arrested and charged with unlawful manufacturing of a controlled substance in February 2005. His sister, Shyamali, who was only 17 at the time was also taken into custody and charged. Sanjaya wasn’t present in the house at the time of the bust…
The non-disclosure agreement Sanjaya signed with the Idol producers will keep him from spilling any significant dirt on his Idol experience. Nevertheless, I have to admit my interest in Sanjaya’s book is now piqued.
How about you? Are you considering picking up Sanjaya’s book when it’s released?
The book has a name now, it’s called Dancing to the Music in my Head and will be published by Simon and Schuster in January.
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You will not make me buy this book!!!!
Actually, I’ve got some slight ideas on what it could be about…..
His family drama was pretty widely reported while he was on the show. Although not a real fan, I liked him enough to read some of the articles and watch some of the reports about him. I had read/heard about the arrests and some other stuff that will probably be in the book.
Stop it MJ!! Not buying, not buying, not buying…. should I buy it?
There’s always the library… if they deem it appropriate for their collection!
I’m thinking it has to be more that the pot arrests… everyone knows about that. Wasn’t there also the rumor that Sanjy’s mom showed up at a party of Brandon Rogers’ and started smoking pot in front of everyone and everyone was schocked?
That said, I have to wonder if Blake would think that story was “super shocking.” My guess is no.
Yeah, for it to be something that shocks Blake, it must be something super juicy! Not gonna buy the book. I’ll just wait for MJ to post the shocking news the minute the book is released!
Mmm…”Dancing to the music in my Head”. Maybe he hears voices. Maybe he has multiple personalities? Let the speculation begin.
I was one of those actually intrigued by Sanjaya. I have always suspected that he had a story to tell. I had read about the arrests and stuff, that won’t compel me to purchase the book…..I might buy it because I like the kid.
If this is about that stuff that happened when his family was living in Hawaii, doesn’t everybody know about that already?
Shocked at pot smoking? Hm. Some people need to get out more.
Blake has a lot of nerve talking about Sanjaya. Blake is already a nobody. I have a feeling Sanjaya will make more money and be more famous than Blake shortly. Granted Sanjaya wasnt very good, ok he sucked, blake should hold his tongue.
I’m guessing there’s more too. Otherwise, I don’t think he would have sold the book. There’s a reason it got published - and the publishers must think whatever it is will sell more copies. I just don’t believe some low level pot bust that already made national news can be the juiciest thing in there.
You have to kind of wonder about Sanjaya’s family life growing up. There are plenty of grownups who continue smoking pot well past the age when most people give that up. But, to grow it in your house, with your kids, well that’s a whole different level of irresponsibility.
But, I’m still not buying the book LOL. Sanjaya seems like a sweet kid, but I’m just not interested.
Apparently Sanjaya wasn’t in his mother’s custody when the pot arrest happened. He spent several years living with an Aunt and was apparently in her custody when all of that went down. I’m sure there is an interesting story behind that as well.
Also his Dad is a Hindu priest who apparently has his own fascinating upbringing as well. I remember during the show on TWoP someone affiliated with the Total Experience Gospel choir posted for a bit. She too hinted that Sanjaya had a lot of major drama growing up (and said person was also amazed at how Sanjaya has always maintained a positive outlook on everything).
*waves at Spense* Good to see you! And I agree about the publishers. Small time pot busts don’t bestselllers make!
pj, spense, et al .. sure do miss our chat sessions… we should all make a date to meet in chat one night
In chat now, Lu! Watching DWTS! :)
Is Blake just being nice this time?
I really like Sanjaya, since season 6 was quite awful for me anyway, without him it would have been even less entertaining. It takes a lot of nerves to go on national TV every week with the right attitude when TPTB hated him so much.
But I’m not interested in his book.
I am speculating that the “most shocking” part of the book would be the revelation that Sanjaya is actually his sister Shymaylee (whatever) or vice-versa……….STILL NOT BUYING THE BOOK…………………….OR HIS MUSIC……..
Here is the key. I will not buy a book that does not give details on what really happens behind the scenes. The tell-all book needs to be written by someone who has been present every season. Then, I WILL buy that book!
I also feel Sanjaya was entertaining and will appreciate MJ’s revelations.
Nope, not even considering buying it.
All this talk makes me feel for Sanjaya. Sounds like he may have endured a childhood trama–I hate thinking about bad stuff happening to kids.
Quite possibly. And there have been some dark rumblings around the internet that this may indeed be so…
I’m with the camp that thinks it would take an awful lot to shock Blake Lewis. I’m just taking it from there.
Yep. That’s where my mind goes too when I think of his book details…a dark, dark experience. I don’t want to think about it.
Oh hell, I am ready to buy the book for sure now….. save Sanjaya!
So… What could it be? He slept with Paula. He slept with Simon. He slept with Randy. He slept with Jordin. He slept with Nigel to get on the show in the first place. Any of those would shock me. Ooooh, wait! He slept with Antonella Barba! Or Paris Hilton! Clay Aiken? Britney Spears? Anjelina Jolie AND Brad Pitt? I’m just kidding, but it does seem like Hollywood scandals are usually about who people claim to have slept with.
I haven’t got a real guess, because honestly, Sanjaya and his sister both seemed pretty clean cut. (Just talking personal style, not hairdos.) And if it’s some childhood trauma and not something that happened on the show, then I guess I don’t think it’s that shocking, either. Fantasia, Taylor, Kellie and Clay have all spoken about bad childhoods, so (sadly enough) another Idol with similar issues isn’t that shocking to me.
There are bad childhoods, I was bullied, I was poor, I was bullied, poor and abandoned, and then there are REAL bad childhoods. I think that Sanjaya’s may be a bit of all that multiplied to the nth degree.
“He slept with Paula. He slept with Simon. He slept with Randy. He slept with Jordin. He slept with Nigel to get on the show in the first place. Any of those would shock me. Ooooh, wait! He slept with Antonella Barba! Or Paris Hilton! Clay Aiken? Britney Spears? Anjelina Jolie AND Brad Pitt?”
Those were bad enough, but his rumored “three way” with Chris Sligh and Daughtry was more controversial, IMHO.
I agree, MJ. I think it would take a hell of a lot to shock Blake Lewis. And to super-shock Blake Lewis? I’m definitely buying the book.