Paris Bennett facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Paris Bennett
Paris Bennett
Background information
Birth name	Paris Ana'is Bennett
Also known as	Paris
Born	(1988-08-21) August 21, 1988 (age 36) Rockford, Illinois, U.S.
Origin	Fayetteville, Georgia, U.S.
Genres	R&B pop
Years active	2006–present
Labels	Independent

Paris Ana'is Bennett, born on August 21, 1988, is an American singer. She became well-known after finishing in fifth place on the fifth season of the TV show American Idol.

About Paris Bennett

Her Early Life

Paris Bennett was born in Rockford, Illinois. Her mother, Jamecia Venzett Bennett, was a singer with a group called Sounds of Blackness. Paris was raised in Edina, Minnesota, by her mother and stepfather.

She started performing when she was just six years old. Her mother and grandmother, Ann Nesby, who was also a lead singer for Sounds of Blackness, taught her how to sing. Paris has three younger brothers and one sister. She went to Edina High School and even played Dorothy in her school's play, "The Wiz." Some of her favorite singers are Gladys Knight and Aretha Franklin.

In 2004, Paris moved to Fayetteville, Georgia. She lived with her grandparents and finished high school there. Paris first thought about becoming a doctor, not a singer. But her grandfather saw auditions for American Idol were happening. Paris decided to try out, saying she would stop singing if it didn't work out.

Her Journey on American Idol

Paris Bennett's audition for American Idol was a big success. She sang "Cowboy Take Me Away" and "Take Five." The judges, Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson, and Simon Cowell, were very impressed. They all agreed she should go to Hollywood.

In Hollywood, Paris continued to do well. She sang "Can't Fight the Moonlight" and "Fever." She made it through each round and into the Top 24 contestants.

During the live shows, Paris performed many different songs. She sang "Midnight Train to Georgia" by Gladys Knight & the Pips. The judges loved her performance. She also sang "Wind Beneath My Wings" and "Conga."

On Stevie Wonder theme night, Paris sang "All I Do." Stevie Wonder himself was there and said she reminded him of another great singer, Fantasia Barrino. The judges praised her performance. Later, she sang "Fever" again, and the judges called her vocals "impeccable."

Paris also performed Beyoncé Knowles' "Work It Out." Randy Jackson thought it was the best performance of the night. She sang "How Do I Live" for country night. Even though she was in the bottom three once, she was not eliminated.

On Queen theme night, Paris sang "The Show Must Go On." Brian May from Queen loved her performance. Simon Cowell even said Paris was his personal favorite contestant.

For the Great American Songbook night, she sang "These Foolish Things." The judges thought it was her best performance. She was in the bottom three again but was safe.

On love songs night, Paris sang "The Way We Were." The judges liked her voice, but Simon Cowell thought it sounded a bit old-fashioned. She was in the bottom two but stayed in the competition.

On May 2, the show had two themes. Paris sang "Kiss" by Prince for the "birth year" theme. She then sang "Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige for the "current charts" theme. The judges had mixed feelings about "Kiss" but liked her performance of "Be Without You." The next day, Paris was eliminated from the competition, finishing in fifth place.

Paris returned to perform on the American Idol finale. She sang a duet with Al Jarreau. She also performed "Close To You" and joined other girls for a medley of songs.

After American Idol

After American Idol, Paris, at 18, started working on her first album. It was called "Princess P," a nickname given to her by the show's host, Ryan Seacrest. She appeared on many TV shows like The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.

In 2006, Paris sang the National Anthem at an NBA basketball game in Detroit. She also sang a duet called "The Tigers" for the movie soundtrack of Everyone's Hero.

Paris performed at charity concerts, including one to raise awareness about domestic violence. She also announced plans for her own clothing line. In 2007, Paris became a supporter of Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Her Albums

In 2007, Paris released her first album, Princess P. She worked with famous music producers on the album. Paris helped write the songs, which were about her experiences before, during, and after American Idol. The album included R&B and pop songs. Some songs from the album were "Ordinary Love" and "I Will." The music video for "Ordinary Love" was released in April 2007.

In 2008, Paris released a Christmas album called A Royal Christmas. This album had classic Christmas songs and new ones. She also starred as Dorothy in a Broadway production of The Wiz.

Her Family Life

Paris Bennett became a mother in October 2008, when she welcomed her daughter.

Paris Bennett's Music

Albums

Singles

Songs on Soundtracks

See also

In Spanish: Paris Bennett para niños