Joshua Ledet

Governor Jay Dardenne established a "Feed the Dream" project with the state's Seafood and Marketing Board to ship Ledet food each week including tamales, crawfish, boudin (a Cajun sausage), (chicken, duck and andouille) gumbo and jambalaya, donated by Louisiana restaurants and food manufacturers.

[8][9][10] According to the American Idol highlights, Ledet was studying criminal justice at Lamar University in Beaumont, Texas.

On his American Idol contestant page he notes his mother influences his musical style and he has had no formal singing training.

[7] His musical influences include Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Fantasia Barrino, James Brown, Luther Vandross, Stevie Wonder, and Elton John.

[11] It has been revealed he was dealing with personal and family issues including situations caused by Hurricane Rita and its aftermath.

His American Idol journey has been seen as somewhat effortless by music critics who note his soul singing is exceptional but may not be contemporary enough, however he is one of the best singers within the last few years of AI.

Ledet earned his first standing ovation in Hollywood Round, Part 3 when he sang his version of Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri.

In the Top 8 round, Ledet earned his first standing ovation of the evening for his rendition of Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes's "If You Don't Know Me by Now".

His duet of George Michael and Aretha Franklin's "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" with fellow contestant Jessica Sanchez got a second standing ovation from the judges, prompting Jackson to declare "Two of the greatest singers to ever hit this competition ...

[23] He performed "When a Man Loves a Woman" at the White House on April 9, 2013, at the "Memphis Soul" event.