Melinda Doolittle

• Birthday: October 6, 1977

A Simon Cowell favorite from the word go, Melinda Doolittle, 29, blew away the judges with her soulful, accomplished vocals during auditions for season 6 of “American Idol.” This shy backup singer currently lives in Brentwood, TN and was a graduate of Belmont University in Nashville, holding a bachelor’s degree in Commercial Music. She performs backup on both stage and in the studio.