Anoop Desai Quotes

United States, Singer-Songwriter
December 20, 1986

Anoop Manoj Desai is an American singer-songwriter best known for his time as a contestant on the eighth season of American Idol. Motivated by the death of his friend Eve Carson, Desai auditioned for American Idol. Desai made American Idol history by being the first ever 13th finalist on American Idol. Favored to win by celebrities including Ellen DeGeneres and Keith Urban, Desai achieved a sixth-place finish, becoming the second Indian American to advance to the final stages of American Idol.

Like the judges said, I think I did a better job of it this time. I was really happy to do that song with an audience too because It’s such an audience reaction song, so the small audience on the stage that night was key, and that performance, the wildcard performance, is all about showing the judges your–it’s a last ditch effort. And so, obviously I wanted to show them the side that they liked before.

Anoop Desai
- Song
- Audience
- Reaction
I've always been about wanting people to spread my music and share it. This way, it allowed me to adapt in real time.

Anoop Desai
- Music
- Spread
- Adapt

It was the pits, man. It was the difference between having all your dreams dashed and then three seconds later, they’re alive again. It was a shock, it was a genuine shock for me. I’m just glad I’m still here.

Anoop Desai
- Dreams
- Difference
- Shock
Writing and working with producers is like dating - it sounds strange to say that, but you have to test people out. You have to be like: 1) I like your music. 2) I like you, you're a good person. 3) Let's hang out and see if we can work together. And that is where music comes from.

Anoop Desai
- Writing
- Dating
- Producers
If you only have the mind of, "We have to sell this music and I have to make money on this music," then it's not really about the music anymore; it's about the money. I'm not saying I don't want to make money, but I'm thinking a little more long-term than just making a buck today.

Anoop Desai
- Music
- Money
- Make