Melinda Doolittle

Melinda Marie Doolittle (born on October 6, 1977) is an American singer who finished as the third place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol. Prior to her appearance on American Idol, Doolittle worked as a professional back-up singer for, among others, Michael McDonald, Kirk Franklin, Aaron Neville, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Alabama, Jonny Lang, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, and Anointed.

Personal Life

Doolittle was born in St. Louis, Missouri to Steve and Marguerite Duke Doolittle although she considers home to be in Brentwood, Tennessee as her Homecoming was held there after she made the Top 3 on American Idol Season 6. She graduated from Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1995. Although she has been singing since the seventh grade, her professional career did not begin until 1999 as a music major from Belmont University.Since college, her vocal instruction has been provided by her coach, Janet Kenyon. Melinda is also good friends with American Idol's Season 5's contestant Mandisa.

American Idol
Audition

Doolittle first auditioned for American Idol in Memphis, Tennessee. She sang the song "For Once in My Life", which was popularized by Stevie Wonder, one of her favorite artists. She went down to Memphis with some friends who were auditioning and decided to audition for fun. She was met with admiration from all three judges in response to her audition. They did express concern, however, about the nerves she had exhibited and told her to believe in herself.

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