American Idol alum Sanjaya Malakar says he identifies as bisexual ... 15 years after memorable run

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American Idol Sanjaya Malakar said he's bisexual, and was not aware of such when he became a national sensation appearing on the talent competition in 2007.Malakar, 32, appearing on the podcast The Adam Sank Show Monday, chat about his time on the show and the years since, as well as his sexuality.'I identify as bisexual,' Malakar told Sank, adding that 'at the time' he was a contestant on the show - when there was speculation over his sexuality - he 'did not know, which was why it was so weird.' The latest: American Idol Sanjaya Malakar, 32, said he's bisexual, and was not aware of such when he became a national sensation appearing on the talent competition in 2007The Seattle native was 17 when he initially tried out for the show in 2006 with his sister Shyamali, and made it into the show's top 10 in an unlikely ascent - as judge Simon Cowell had criticized his vocals as 'utterly horrendous' - but was popular with viewers who continued to vote for him.He was eventually eliminated in the top seven, after performing songs such as Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell's Ain't No Mountain High Enough, No Doubt's Bathwater and Irving Berlin's Cheek to Cheek.

Malakar, who currently works as a bartender and pastry chef, said that he was 'raised by women' and eventually got involved with theater.'I had a hard time figuring out how to interact with young boys because my dad's from India and grew up in a temple, so there was never like, "This is how you are a boy,"' he said.