Guide Note
Chikezie Eze was a Top 10 finalist on American Idol Season 7. He was the first top 10 contestant to leave the show.
Fast Facts
- Full Name: Chikezie Ndubuisi Eze
- Born: September 11, 1985
- Birthplace: Inglewood, California
- Audition city San Diego
- Cites Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, John Legend and Sam & Dave as musical influences
- Began singing when he was 13
- Education: Santa Monica College
- Eliminated: March 26, 2008
- First top 10 contestant sent home
American Idol
Eze auditioned for the sixth season of American Idol and made it to the Hollywood round before being cut. He auditioned again in 2007 for season seven. He received another Golden Ticket for his rendition of a Luther Vandross song. The night before his departure he performed the song "If Only For One Night" by Vandross before being sent home during the results night on March 25, 2008.
Background
Eze attended Bethel College in Newton, Kansas, during 2005-2006, before enrolling at Santa Monica College in Santa Monica, California. Once there he studied singing. Before auditioning for American Idol Eze worked as a Transportation Security Administration screener and cashier.
