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04-25-2009, 04:01 PM
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Anoop Desai ditches grad school for music
 Out but far from down, American Idol reject Anoop Desai said on Thursday he was leaving behind his graduate school studies to pursue a career in the music industry. Desai, 22, only the second singer of Indian descent to reach the final stages of the TV talent show, said he had learned from the show that music was his first love. Asked whether he was returning to college in North Carolina, where he was doing a post-graduate course in folklore before auditioning for the show, Desai told reporters. "I am definitely going to pursue a music career. Singing is what I am the happiest doing. It's what I do the best," the political science and American studies graduate said in a telephone conference call. "I want to go the pop and R&B round...I am looking forward to making that album," he said, adding he was a fan of American singer-songwriter Ne-Yo. Desai, nicknamed 'Noop Dogg' by fans, has drawn a huge army of fans in India – where American Idol is broadcast – as well as in the United States. His computer software designer father was born in India and his biochemist mother, who is also of Indian descent, was born in South Africa. The second American Idol contestant of Indian descent after 2007's Sanjaya Malakar to reach the coveted Top 10 of the competition, Desai was voted off on Wednesday night along with Memphis native Lil Rounds, leaving five singers in the competition. "My fans have been so supportive throughout this process. They are loving and kind and they really do care about me. That is a very gratifying feeling to know there are millions of votes coming in from people you don't even know," Desai said. Although no record contracts have been announced, Desai will be part of the Idol summer tour in the United States. 
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#2
04-25-2009, 04:02 PM
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PETA asks Anoop Desai for help
 Animal rights organisation People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India has approached the recently voted out American Idol contestant Anoop Desai to join hands with them for a cause. The Indian chapter of the US-based organisation wrote a letter to Desai Wednesday asking him to appear in a video supporting its Animal Birth Control (ABC) campaign to "implement humane methods of controlling companion animal populations in slums" in India. "Anoop Desai is a huge hit in India because of being an Indian. He is an inspiration. There are sentiments of Indians associated with him and we want him to join the cause like previous 'American Idol' Vanessa Olivarez, Kellie Pickler and Ruben Studdard as well as judge Simon Cowell in using his celebrity status to help PETA help animals," NG Jayasimha, campaign manager of PETA India, told IANS. "We want him to speak up for the dogs on the streets, as they really suffer a lot and need a voice. Though he is now out of the show, but he still has a huge appeal and fan following and we are hoping to ride on that," he added. Desai, a 22-year-old college student from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, also dubbed as 'Noop Dogg' by American Idol judges, became one of 13 finalists after being selected as the judges' final wild card pick. He was voted out on the night of April 22 from the eighth season of the talent hunt show.
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