Chris Richardson Biography (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

Christopher Michael Richardson (born February 19, 1984) is an American singer who finished in the top six on the sixth season of American Idol. He was eliminated on May 2, 2007.

Early life

Richardson was born in Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe Hospital in Belgium to Phyllis and Danny Richardson. His father spent 20 years in the Air Force Richardson moved to Chesapeake, Virginia, in 1999. Before Idol, Richardson was a kitchen supervisor for a Hooters restaurant. He graduated from Great Bridge High School in 2002 and studied music composition at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia, for a year, playing football there as well. He continued his music studies at Tidewater Community College. He has a Bulldog named Tommy.

American Idol

Auditions

Richardson auditioned in New York, holding number 8963. The judges warmed to him, and he got through the audition process. Judge Randy Jackson commented on how his appearance, singing, and general atmosphere was reminiscent of Justin Timberlake.

Hollywood Week

Richardson grouped with Paul Kim and AJ Tabaldo in Hollywood group round.

Semi-Finals

Week 1 - February 20, 2007, Richardson sang "I Don't Want To Be" by Gavin DeGraw. Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul loved the performance, but Simon Cowell didn't. He felt Richardson's voice was very small in the song. However, Cowell commented many girls will like Richardson because of his sex appeal and general appearance.

Week 2 - February 27, 2007, Richardson sang "Geek In The Pink" by Jason Mraz, dedicating the song to his grandmother. All the judges agreed that Richardson sang fantastically. Cowell said it was the best performance of the night by a mile, and Randy even said it was better than Jason Mraz's original version.
Week 3 - March 6, 2007, Richardson chose a country song, singing "Tonight I Wanna Cry" by Keith Urban. Abdul and Jackson praised it, however Cowell stressed it was just "okay."

Finals

Week 1 - March 13, 2007: Richardson made it to the Top 12 and worked with Diana Ross for the March 13 Top 12 show. He sang Ross's "The Boss." Randy Jackson said it wasn't his favorite, and that so many "runs were completely unnecessary." Paula Abdul said he nailed the "blend of bringing contemporary." Simon Cowell said his rendition was "dreadful."

Week 2 - March 20, 2007: Chris Richardson made it to the top 11 and worked with Peter Noone, performing "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying," while being accompanied by an acoustic guitar player. He received acclaim for his performance, with Randy Jackson said it was one of his best performances yet, Paula Abdul stating it was a smart choice, sexy and very charming. Simon Cowell also stated that it was his best performance yet, commenting the song felt no longer old-fashioned. However, he received the second-lowest amount of votes and was in the Bottom 2 with Stephanie Edwards. Stephanie Edwards was eliminated.

Week 3 - March 27, 2007: Chris Richardson made it to the top 10. This time he was coached by the unique Gwen Stefani, and performed "Don't Speak", by her past rock group No Doubt. He received mixed reviews for his performance. Randy said it was a great song choice, but it wasn't his usual vocal. Paula said it was good, and Simon said it was a good song choice but wasn't his normal vocal. Nevertheless, his fans pulled through, and he made it into the top 9. Chris Sligh was eliminated.

Week 5 - April 10, 2007: Chris sang "Smooth" by Santana feat. Rob Thomas coached by singer Jennifer Lopez. The theme of the night was Latin music. Chris was the third to perform. Simon said he "preferred his to the previous two" (LaKisha Jones and Melinda Doolittle.) Chris ended up in the bottom three, but Haley Scarnato was eliminated to guarantee him a spot in the top 7.

Week 6 - April 17, 2007: Chris sang "Mayberry" by Rascal Flatts coached by singer Martina McBride. The theme of the night was Country music. Chris was the fifth to perform. It was criticized by Simon, describing it as a "nasally, tinny vocal", while Chris argued that was his intention and "nasally is a form of singing!", before commenting about his sympathy towards the families of Virginia Tech students and faculty involved in the tragedy. As Chris expressed his concern for fellow Virginians, a camera caught Simon rolling his eyes. Simon later told the media that he did so because of an argument with Paula moments before. He managed to clear up the incident on the April 18 results show. On elimination night, Chris was placed in a group with Jordin and Phil, which was later revealed to be the safe group. Sanjaya was sent home.

Week 7 - April 24, 2007: Chris sang "Change the World" by Eric Clapton. the theme of the night was Inspirational music. Chris was the first to perform and received positive comments from all three judges. After an inspirational two hour "Idol Gives Back" program, the viewers were led to believe that Chris and Jordin Sparks were in the bottom two. However, both Richardson and Sparks were safe and no one was eliminated. Two contestants would be eliminated the following week.

Week 8 - May 1, 2007: Chris sang "Wanted Dead or Alive" by Bon Jovi, which also happened to be the theme of the night. Chris received positive comments from both Randy and Paula. Simon was not as positive in saying how Bon Jovi was not Richardson's kind of music and thus, was vulnerable for elimination. The fact that he performed a song Chris Daughtry sang during the semi-finals did not help Richardson's cause. Simon's words proved prophetic as he, along with Phil Stacey, were eliminated from the competition.

Post Idol

Richardson is focusing on the future--the "Idol" tour and his album, which he said will be a mix of both rock, soul/r&b.

"It'll be a mixture of a Maroon 5 sound with a little bit of Jason Mraz," said Richardson, who also plays the guitar, drums and piano. "I love rock and roll but I have this soulful type voice and I just like to infuse both of them."

Blake Lewis stated on an episode of American Idol Extra that he and Chris have written 'about three songs together,' one of which Richardson has said is called What You Got to Lose?. He has also said in an interview that he has written songs for winner Jordin Sparks and Phil Stacey and plans on writing with Gina Glocksen.

On May 19, 2007, Chris Sligh stated on his personal blog that he, Phil Stacey, and Chris Richardson will "be heading off to studios somewhere [after the American Idols Live! Tour] to work on [their] debut major label records" and then added, "or at least it looks at this point like all 3 of [them] will be on major labels." However, it is unclear as to which label Richardson will be signed to, since his contractual obligations with American Idol limit his ability to sign with any labels until after the American Idols Live! Tour.

American Idol Performances

Audition: A Song for You (originally sung by Leon Russell, covered by Donny Hathaway)

Week #	Song Choice	Original Artist	Result
Top 24	I Don't Want to Be	Gavin DeGraw	Safe
Top 20	Geek In The Pink	Jason Mraz	Safe
Top 16	Tonight I Wanna Cry	Keith Urban	Safe
Top 12	The Boss	Diana Ross	Safe
Top 11	Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying	Gerry and the Pacemakers	Bottom 2
Top 10	Don't Speak	No Doubt	Safe
Top 9	Don't Get Around Much Anymore	Duke Ellington	Safe
Top 8	Smooth	Santana feat. Rob Thomas	Bottom 3
Top 7	Mayberry	Rascal Flatts	Safe
Top 6	Change the World	Eric Clapton	Safe (Non-Elimination Week)
Top 6	Wanted Dead or Alive	Bon Jovi	Eliminated

Justin Timberlake Comparison

Richardson says he doesn't mind hearing the comparisons to Justin Timberlake. But, he adds, those who've drawn the connection should listen to his album when it comes out and then decide if it still holds.

"To be even mentioned in the same sentence as someone so successful, it's great," Richardson told the Associated Press on Thursday the day after his elimination in a phone interview. "They might be surprised whenever I come out with my album, that it's completely different than his. So that's when other people might one day be, like `Hey, you sort of sound like Chris Richardson.'"

Personal life

Richardson lives in the Great Bridge section of Chesapeake, Virginia. He plays guitar, drums and piano.

He admitted during the March 6, 2007 edition of American Idol that he used to be overweight as a child and teenager. He has lost roughly forty pounds and has become more health conscious.

Chris and fellow idol Blake Lewis have said on Chris' elimination night that they were best friends. His favorite male singers include Jason Mraz, JT, James Brown, and Michael Jackson. His favorite female artists are early 90s Mariah Carey, and Christina Aguilera.

Discography

EPs

Album Cover	Album Information
	Chris Richardson - EP Released: June 12, 2007 (U.S) RIAA certification: N/A Chart Performance (iTunes): TBA

Footnotes

This biography article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Chris Richardson". Reality TV World is not responsible for any errors or omissions this article may contain.