In the 1990s, Desai appeared on the WRAL-TV (NC Triangle) television children's show, CentralXpress.com, and played the character "Raj".

[9] He was awarded the 2008 Peter C. Baxter Memorial Prize in American Studies, as one who exemplified "intellectual excellence, personal warmth and creativity.

Motivated by the death of his friend Eve Carson,[11] Desai auditioned for American Idol on August 8, 2008, in Kansas City, Missouri, and was selected as a semifinalist following his "Hollywood Week" performances.

On that broadcast, Simon Cowell announced that Desai would continue on as a finalist as part of the first ever Top 13 in Idol history.

Desai's rendition of Cyndi Lauper's "True Colors" three weeks later also garnered praise from the judges.

Despite celebrities such as Ellen DeGeneres and Keith Urban said they favored Desai to win,[12] he was voted off as part of a double elimination Top 7 week.

He returned for the season finale to perform "I'm Yours" with fellow Idol contestant Alexis Grace and singer Jason Mraz.

[18] The first TOTEM songs were released anonymously and independently on small blogs before being picked up by the likes of FADER,[19] Billboard,[20] and Complex.

[24] In 2019, Desai made his Off-Broadway debut at MCC Theater in the world-premiere of The Wrong Man, a musical written by fellow pop songwriter Ross Golan.