Sanjaya Malakar - Sanjayamania - SF Chronicle

Teen Pop Sensation Sanjaya Malakar featured in the San Francisco Chronicle over the weekend:

Sanjayamania (SF Chronicle)

Because the "American Idol" producers like to keep the contestants in a bubble, Malakar said he had no idea how big of an impression he was making during his run on the show, which ultimately ended for him with a seventh-place finish. Calling from Los Angeles rehearsals for the American Idols Live Tour a few weeks ago, however, Malakar said he remembers the precise moment he went from being just another hapless Season 6 contestant to the focus of full-on Sanjayamania. It was during Gwen Stefani Week, in which he performed an off-key rendition of No Doubt's "Bathwater," despite the guest coach's insistent protests. But the singing hardly mattered. It was all about the hair -- seven ponytails running down the center of his head to form a fluffy faux-hawk. A phenomenon was born.

"That was the week everyone said, 'Whoa, he's insane!' " Malakar said. "I had no idea it would be so polarizing."

Go Sanjaya!

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