Blake Lewis on Sanjaya: ‘I Was Never a Fan’

March 31, 2008

He may not have walked away with the American Idol title — but few who watched last season will forget Sanjaya Malakar. Turns out, castmate Blake Lewis didn’t even want the aspiring singer on the show. “I was never a fan of Sanjaya,” Lewis says in a new interview with a Jacksonville, Fla.-area radio station. In the interview (which you can hear above), the Idol runner-up says that Malakar made for “terrible television” and even reveals that he was initially cut from the show.

Tell us: Do you agree with Blake’s comments about Sanjaya?

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trsquare March 31st, 2008

Yes, but even those who really didn’t follow AI last season knew who Sanjaya was. Last year was filled with forgettable singers, including the two top winners.

Nadine March 31st, 2008

Well, Blake is forgetable, but I did like Jordan and she proved she is a good singer at a benefit for Aretha Franklin. I wasn’t rooting for her, but that is what “America” voted for.

Blake should hope his CD sells well

Bridget March 31st, 2008

Are you kidding me? Jordan’s awesome and I’m a big fan. I voted…. twenty times? Yeah. About there. Lines were PACKED. Last season was good, especially after Taylor H.

Sonia March 31st, 2008

Have you even heard his songs?
I like many of them, especially “How Many Words.”

Tracy March 31st, 2008

I used to like Blake Lewis..until he went low and made these remarks. So Sanjaya sucked, big deal, he got cut before you. You didnt win either Blake and what was the name of your album. You arent all that.

Lauren March 31st, 2008

I LOVE BLAKE LEWIS!!!

Dar March 31st, 2008

I liked Blake. And he is just being Honest. I stopped watching it until Sanjaya Malakar got voted off. Sanjaya was really awful. And for all you haters, Blake has real talent and that is exactly why he made it to the final 2.

Tracy 2 March 31st, 2008

Trash talking is never cool. He should show some class. To be honest, he is not that good of a singer so he should really keep his opinions to himself.

Maddi March 31st, 2008

Of course I agree! Sanjaya held no talent whatsoever, so it was completely questionable why he was even on the show. He couldn’t sing, and he certainly wasn’t attractive! I mean that fo-hawk?! Get real.

Darrah March 31st, 2008

Blake SUCK! When he was on American Idol this season just to perform I had to change it…he’s horrible. He’s a Justin Timberlake or Michael Jackson circa 1984 wannabe.

Gross. I’d never buy his cd because he’s such a tool and he just plain old suck. Sanjaya wasn’t the best but at least he has some class which is more than I can say for this pig.

Cathy March 31st, 2008

I agree, Sanjaya should not have been on AI in the first place. He could not only not be able to sing, —– He was creepy. YUK. He ruined the show for me until he was off. Can’t stand him today. Why do they keep up with this no talent creep. Who is behind it?

kirsten March 31st, 2008

are you kidding me blake lewis is awesome before u even judge him you should really know what the lyrics to his songs mean and thats the only way you can connect to his songs and understand them
leave him alone he is who he is

allnamestaken March 31st, 2008

I loved Blake when he was on the show… and even rooted for him to win. However, he seems a little bit full of himself. Which is a complete turn off. I listened to his CD and I honestly cannot stand it. I liked the songs and remixes he did on the show… but his own stuff belongs down the tube.

Sanjaya was just awful when it came to singing… but he was pretty inventive with the hair… so he was semi interesting to watch.

Blake should never cut down anyone in that respect, especially now when his career is so crucial. It may have just killed it.

Mirella March 31st, 2008

Well, true, Sanjaya wasn’t a great singer, but it was so fun to watch him and he did choose very well most of his songs. I enjoyed his performances and I think that Mr. Lewis should learn that if you don’t have nothing nice to say, don’t say nothing at all!

Hannah March 31st, 2008

I agree. And that’s totally gay that he really got cut from the show. If he ever won I would be so ticked off. by the way i thought you have to be 16 or older to be on the show. dosen’t sanjaya need to wait a few more years

Ariella March 31st, 2008

I listened to that interview last week on my local station WAPE!!! I new this would eventually turn up on the internet!

EBBY March 31st, 2008

HOW DARE YOU WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE AND YOUR NAME WAS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YOUR FORGOTTEN
BLINK SOMETHING!! HOW RUDE YOU ARE

crystal March 31st, 2008

Just goes to show how much of a true reality show that “Idol” really is when someone who was originally cut ends up back on.

Kelly March 31st, 2008

First off Blake is a jackass. He really isn’t that great of a singer to begin with. There is another radio interview out there where he said he locked Sanjaya in a closet during the tour. What kind of grown man does that to a teenager who is 8 years younger then him? His album sucks and he has to resort to saying nasty comments about a popular former contestant just to get attention. Sad.Grim.Pathetic

By the way watch Sanjaya’s audition the judged liked him more then his sister. And another fact Jordin Sparks-Winner of American Idol 6 was cut in her first audition as well. Guess she didn’t deserve to be there as well.

Ex Blake fan March 31st, 2008

What an angry, bitter little thing he’s become. I used to love him but NEVER AGAIN. You hateful, petty little man you are, Blake.

Rachel March 31st, 2008

I used to like Blake on the show but outside of Idol and all these interviews I found him to be arrogant and such a jerk. Blake was really not a better singer then Sanjaya. He was often more off key then him but everyones focas was all on Sanjaya and everyone just ignored how bad Blake really was.

If this show was a truly aboout talent then Blake didn’t deserve to make it past the top 10 and no way in hell did he deserve to beat out Melinda Doolittle. But this show is more of a popularity contest. Both Sanjaya and Blake were popular while not being the best singers which is fine thats what the show is about. Its 7 years in and if people really believe it’s only about singing then you are easily fooled.

jas March 31st, 2008

How could Blake be so petty. I thought he was a nice guy…..but sorry to say he is cheap.Imagine talking about sanjaya who seems a nice human being even though he is not good human being. Sorry Blake you are neither a good human being nor a singer.

Danny March 31st, 2008

Blake is such a looser. Sanjaya is so much better than him.

Elizabeth March 31st, 2008

I agree with him! He was a joke. Thank goodness there’s no Sanjaya on the show this year.

Rachel March 31st, 2008

The show is a huge popularity contest. Blake of all people should know that because there is no way in hell he was more talented then Melinda Doolittle. Sanjaya is Popular Blake was popular on the show. Thats why both made it far. The sooner people will realize that the show is not all about singing the better. Come on people its been 7 seasons and you still believe this is a true singing competition LOL

I love Sanjaya he brought so much fun last season adn when he was voted off I stopped watching and A lot of people did as well because the ratings went way down LOL This season is a complete bore nobody has half the personality Sanjaya had.

Blake Grow up and act ypur age. You are a bitter little man who has no nerve talking about anyone elses lack of talent because buddy your not that great of a singer and your album proves all along that you were a gimmick.

Rachel March 31st, 2008

Blake Grow up and act your age. You are a bitter little man who has no nerve talking about anyone elses lack of talent because buddy your not that great of a singer and your album proves all along that you were a gimmick.

Ashleigh March 31st, 2008

What a total jackas* Blake is. And this question should have been worded “Do you think Blake should have said these things about another performer”? I don’t care who it was and Sanjaya was very entertaining, you should never insult a fellow performer in public. He sounded so catty and girly like. Like he was at a PJ party or something. Hey did you hear about so and so and they said… whatever. Loser. Career in the toilet he was s*itting on. No class no talent tool. And Daddy Lewis comes out to defend his little baby only child boy. Hater Lewis and jealous because Sanjaya gets all the attention. Wah Wah.

carolina March 31st, 2008

I loved Sanjaya and I never liked Blake. Sanjaya wrote in Chicken Soup For the Idol Soul that he had been cut at the pre-screening and Nigel put him back in for the auditions in Seattle. After he left the show ratings went down 9% and did not go back up until he returned for the finale. So no I do not think he is bad television. I do think it is sad that a grown man feels the need to say unkind things about a teenager.

happybeet March 31st, 2008

Blake - please crawl back to the hole you came out of. Untalented, unattractive, charmless - these are words that pop in my head when I think of that tool.

Blake Lewis is a tool April 1st, 2008

Even if he thought those things he should have never said them in public. What has Blake done since coming in second on the show to make him so full of himself? A failed album and sleeping with another contestant..wow…

cristina April 1st, 2008

i totally agree with blake! i mean, sanjaya had no talent! my mom liked him, but i thought he was horrible!

Priscilla April 1st, 2008

Sanjaya had about as much business being on AI as William Hung did. Big deal if Blake was never a fan. Sanjaya only stayed a contender as long as he did because Howard Stern tried to railroad Idol by asking his listeners to vote for San. If there were indeed more viewers during his stay on Idol, it was only because people were so dumbfounded as to how the little weirdo could stay on for so long. And when someone said he was creative with his hair, he was not creative. The stylist was creative. Blake was individualistic and artistic in his own area. Neither of the top two from last year have really done much of anything. It just wasn’t that stellar of a season.

June April 1st, 2008

Blake isn’t one to talk. He outlasted the much more talented Melinda Doolittle and Lakisha Jones. The difference is you’ll never hear either of those classy ladies complaining about it.

SHUT UP BLAKE.

Danielle April 1st, 2008

Blake is just hurting himself by saying things like that! I wish he’d learn because he keeps spewing negativity. I will say that everyone in the business should learn from Blake’s situation: do not make fun of Sanjaya! It will come back to haunt you! LOL!
I love Sanjaya!

Kris April 1st, 2008

What a classless little bitch he is. Blake didn’t reveal anything about Sanjaya’s audition that Sanjaya hasn’t already said himself in public. Even Jordin got cut during her first audition. Does that make her a less worthy winner? Hardly.

Even people who aren’t fans of Sanjaya often appreciate his character and strength. Whereas Blake’s fans are deserting him faster than rats from a sinking ship.

Sanjaya was great television. That’s why the ratings tanked when he left.

Paige April 1st, 2008

I truly thought Blake had much more class. I am disappointed in him. I agree with many of the comments and just hope that Blake will think and rethink in the future, before stating something.

Susan e April 1st, 2008

Hostile, people…calm down already!! You can’t tell me you think that Nigel put Sanjaya back on the show because he felt the kid had potential to shine… From what I can see, Nigel saw potential for a ratings spike (people tuned in cuz they couldn’t believe he hadn’t been voted off…sort of a “let’s see how far this will go” type thing… I mean how many people tuned into AI just to see the train wreck). Why do you think American Idol/FOX airs weeks of BAD auditions? Because even non-AI viewers tune in to watch the hilarious bad auditions. SO why not take one of the bad auditions on the road (aka, American Idol finals) for more Fox ratings??

Tracy April 1st, 2008

Blake Lewis is not that talented (except maybe the beat box thing, which is the best thing he has going for him) Blake got votes because he is a pretty boy surely not for his voice. He is a true disappointment in every sense. Be an adult Blake. Do you feel like a big man now that you cut down someone who although could not sing very well, had charm and class. Something u do not possess.

Kevin April 1st, 2008

American Idol is the dumbest thing ever. Not surprised they are all turning on each other. They think they are producing future stars but none of them have proven longevity or even have close the record sales of lousy Paula Abdul. They have dump huge loads of money promoting their winners so they can sell their unoriginal CDs in Wallmart.

GirlyGirl45 April 1st, 2008

Way to promote your debut CD, Blake. You’re a real class act. “Instant karma’s gonna get you…”

Colleen April 1st, 2008

Totally agree with you Blake!

Michelle April 1st, 2008

Funny how people are quick to bash Blake for saying negative things about Sanjaya but don’t feel the slightest remorse about bashing Blake themselves. Hypocrites is what I call em. Me? A hypocrite…absolutely not I am open about how idiotic people are and don’t feel the need to sit on my moral high horse complaining that others should speak nicely about one another while I call them “losers”, “classless”, and “untalented.”

debra April 1st, 2008

Blake sucks. Neither can he sing nor can he talk properly. Shut up Blake.

Joanna April 1st, 2008

That comment will bite him in the butt someday. NEVER burn bridges in the entertainment industry. You never know who you may end up working with in the future. Wouldn’t it be funny if Sanjaya becomes more successful?

Silvia Corradin April 1st, 2008

Melinda Doolittle was robbed as far as I am concerned, but it does not really matter what position they come in, does it? As long as they make, say, the TOP 6, if they play their cards right, they are almost guaranteed a record deal. Look at Daughtry, Bucky Covington, Kimberly Locke and Jennifer Hudson… among others.

jolene April 1st, 2008

Blake is a jerk. Nobody else puts down the contestants they worked with each week. Blake has a big ego, and he’s not as good a singer as he thinks he is.

Allison April 1st, 2008

Okay Who here likes Taylor Hicks? Not me! I think he sucked! He dropped off the face of the earth! Plush he lost his recording contract! I don’t think he should have won! Chris Daughtry was so much better then him, He is one of the most popular former Idols besides from Kelly and Carrie!. But as for Sanjaya he sucked too. He was just on there for entertainment because people wanted to get a laugh out of how bad he was.. I thought his sister was so much better then him.

Lori April 2nd, 2008

Karma. Blake, remember karma. It can and will bite you in the ass.

SG April 2nd, 2008

Thanks Blake, glad to see someone connected with the show has the guts to stand up and say the emperor had great hair but no clothes. Sanjaya was an embarrassment to the show and to the other 11 finalists. He. Simply. Cannot. Sing. Could someone please set up an American Idol for the tonedeaf teenybopper girls who are raging against Blake for telling the truth? They can have 12 Sanjayas every week to squeal over, and that would leave the ‘real’ American Idol to the rest of us with working eardrums.

Tracey April 2nd, 2008

Way to tell it like it is, Blake — I couldn’t agree more!!! Sanjaya SUCKS — you ROCK!!!

JJ April 3rd, 2008

Ironic since Blake kept a far more talented singer, Melinda, from making the finals. He’s a jerk and a tool and should learn to keep his mouth shut.

Brigitte April 4th, 2008

Yes I wholly agree with Blake! Sanjaya was a terrible singer and performer, and he just annoyed me every week. He wasn’t even funny / charming / good looking! I don’t understand why ANYONE voted for him!

Hannah April 4th, 2008

I didn’t like Sanjaya either, but Blake doesn’t need to start trash talking. It makes him seem pathetic and insecure.
It’s retarded.

ruby April 4th, 2008

Trash talking another contestant is not cool, Blake. It makes you smaller than you already are.

Harve July 17th, 2008

Personally,Blake makes noises with his mouth which in my opinon,does not compare..to the beautiful singing ability of Sanjaya.The Am Idol music director said Sanjaya had a wonderful voice and thought he might win.So did Tony Bennett who is a professional Icon.,as well as J.LO,Diana Ross, Peter Noone,Kelly Clarkson,etc.etc.etc.Where did you cruel, comments naysayers get your credible training to judge?
To say the cruel things Blake said ,especially after the fact,things that can never be taken back because its in print…makes one think Blake is very insecure and desperate!