Paris Bennett

At 4’ 11”, Paris Bennett may be pint-sized, but she definitely has the undeniable ability to stand out like the brightest star in the sky. The national television audience got a taste of what she can deliver when Bennett became one of the top 5 finalist on the fifth season of the hugely popular #1 rated reality series of all time American Idol. Early into the sing-off, the Rockford, Illinois-born singer was a standout, capturing the audience’s, judge’s, and most importantly the voter’s hearts. After American Idol, Bennett at age 18 began recording and preparing for the April 2007 release of her debut album, “Princess P” (a nickname given to her by Ryan Seacrest). When asked about the album Bennett said, “This album is a little bit of everything I did on ‘Idol,’ I don’t like being put in one category, or one genre. I’m into Pop, Jazz, R&B, Hip Hop, Gospel … you may even hear me do a Rap thing or a Country version of something”.

Bennett comes from a musical family that includes her voice-training mother Jamecia Bennett and Grammy award winning Grandmother Ann Nesby. Devoted music fans will recall them both in the ‘90s R&B/gospel group Sounds of Blackness. Paris began foregoing her singing alter ego at the age of four, at her great grandfather’s church in Rockford, Illinois, Macedonia Baptist Church. From there it was on to local talent shows before securing her first big performance: singing the Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis-penned song “Welcome” during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.

Bennett, who currently spends her time residing in Atlanta, Georgia, cites India Arie, Maroon 5, Coldplay, and the Dixie Chicks as favorites. However, the 29-year-old draws a lot of her inspiration from the old school. We’re talking such R&B and jazz masters as Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Peggy Lee, Sarah Vaughan, and Nat King Cole.

Paris, also has been blessed to grace the film industry starring with Patti Labelle, Ciarra, and Lynn Whitfield in ‘Momma I Wanna Sing’, ‘Baby Oh’, and Tyler Perry’s ‘Aunt Bam’s s Place’. Paris has traveled from Mexico to Cairo on Mission trips to help build homes, and is currently working with One Heartland foundation to help with chidren affected by HIV.

Bennett, has been busy lately gracing Broadway stages as the lead in the Broadway show RENT, she also played the role of Columbia in the Broadway Musical Rocky Horror, and has just recently wrapped her run starring as Dorothy in the hit Broadway Show The Wiz. Bennett, is currently putting the final touches on her much anticipated sophomore album. “After a long break and many blessings in between it’s time to get back to my music. I promise to put everything that I am into this upcoming Sophomore Album” says, Paris.