Meet DeShawn Goncalves from American Idol

American Idol airs its last round of auditions this week. One new contestant who will take the stage is DeShawn Goncalves. We’ve got five facts on the American Idol hopeful for you below. So, keep reading to learn more about DeShawn.

Update on 4/18/21: DeShawn sang “The Way We Were” by Barbara Streisand on Oscar night of American Idol. DeShawn made it to the next level in the Top 9 of American Idol!

Update on 4/12/21:

DeShawn Gonclaves was voted into the top 12 for American Idol by America! He performed “Higher Ground” by Stevie Wonder.

Update 4/11/21:

Performance: Feeling Good by Nina Simone

Update on 4/4/21:

Solo performance song: “Forever Young” by Bob Dylan
It was accapella to begin.
Celebrity Duet Partner: Ryan Tedder
Duet Song: I Lived OneRepublic
Vote Text 7 to 21523 or vote on Americanidol.com.

Update on 3/29/21: DeShawn performed “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by, Judy Garland. DeShawn made it to the top 24!

Update on 3/22/21: DeShawn was paired up with Madison Watkins. The two had chemistry from the start. They said they were just the best match and hadn’t even met prior to the duets. They sang “Stay” by Rihanna and the judges loved both of them. They moved on to the next round. Madison said she even knows DeShawn loves Chamomile tea.

Get to Know DeShawn Goncalves

1) DeShawn Goncalves is a 20-year-old Columbus, Ohio native. But, he currently resides in Cleveland, Ohio. At the time when he filmed his Idol appearance, he was 19 (see below).

Bonus Fact: He’s not the only Cleveland contestant! Mary Jo Young, who competed on Feb. 28, is also from the area.

2) According to Cleveland.com, DeShawn sings a rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” for his audition. He told the news site that it was a surreal experience to sing in front of the judges. Apparently he’s watched American Idol since he was a little kid. So, to be on it now is pretty amazing!

3) He is currently studying music technology at Jackson State University. Even though he’s enrolled at the Jackson, Mississippi college, he’s been doing it remotely from Ohio since the pandemic began. He’s also a member of the university marching band.

4) He’s always been a music lover. He got an early start at it, singing in church choirs when he was younger. He attended Fort Hayes Career Academy, A+ Arts Academy, and East High.

5) Idol is a huge step in his career. DeShawn does have one song out called “Time is a Teacher” with the band The Paragon Project. But, he hopes to release more of his own music in the future.

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Watch DeShawn’s American Idol Performances

Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Duet with Ryan Tedder

Feeling Good

Higher Ground

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Tune into ‘American Idol’ Sundays at 8pm EST on ABC.

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