Who is Deshawn Goncalves? 'American Idol' contestant from Ohio dazzles judges with his 'angelic' voice
Deshawn Golcalves was yet another star at the 'American Idol' auditions on Sunday, March 14, evening. The 19-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio, finally lived his dream of being on television after putting in years of hard work even when things weren't always in his favor. Being a son of teenage parents, Deshawn didn't have the ideal childhood.
"My parents didn't know how to be parents," he said adding that they tried. Deshawn's father got involved with the street life and had to face years in prison but when he got out he came out with a determination to do better and to turn his life around.
Deshawn is close to his father Stepheon from whom he's learned a lot of things since he was released. The teenager credits his father as the one who pushed him to be a better man. Deshawn started to sing, play instruments and get straight As and graduated at the top of his class. Not just that, he received a fully paid scholarship to Jackson State University, Mississipi, where he's currently pursuing his further education.
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Who is Deshawn Goncalves?
Deshawn was born in Youngstown, Ohio, and was always surrounded by music while growing up. His grandmother, a choir director, helped him get involved with singing in the church. Deshawn has had a couple of big opportunities that came his way in the past which includes performing at the Apollo Theater as well as briefly joining Patti LaBelle on stage during one of her concerts where he got to showcase his talent as a vocalist.
He decided to keep going forward to explore more opportunities and auditioning for 'Idol' was a part of it. "What prompted me was just thinking about how things just always continue to come my way, like blessings just continue to pour in," Deshawn said. "So it's kind of like, when I'm doing these things, like if I've come this far, why stop now?"
The 'Idol' judges slipped into a state of trance completely immersing themselves in Deshawn's angelic voice that filled the room and they all showered him with a lot of adulation once he finished singing 'Everything Must Change' by Nina Simone.
"That was powerful. I needed you today," Lionel Richie said wiping away his tears while adding "Just consider yourself hugged. I don't know where you came from. But I know God saw it fit to put you in front of us. I am very proud of you," he said.
"It was magic. I mean you can still feel it right now in the air. There is purity, there is a light about you when you are just singing, it's like you are an angel," Katy Perry said. "What a wonderfully beautiful example you are. You walk in here put together with a pedigree of scholarships and hard work and conquering odds. What an example!" Luke Bryan said about Deshawn.
In case you missed the audition, you can watch it below. You can keep up with Deshawn on Instagram, his handle is @deshawngmusic.
'American Idol' airs every Sunday at 8 pm ET on ABC.