Sonika Vaid – American Idol 2016 – Season 15 Contestant

Sonika Vaid is a 20-year-old singer from Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts, who describes being on American Idol as the fulfillment of one of her lifelong dreams. In an interview, Sonika says that she has been singing for as long as she can remember and her first memory doing so was at her sisters birthday when she was 3. Since then, Sonika has grown into a talented singer by gaining as much experience as she could. For instance, Sonika would perform at a local park for anyone who would come and listen to her. Watching American Idol since Kelly Clarkson won the first season, Sonika describes herself as more of a singer than a performer. While she had been taking a break from music to focus on her studies, Sonika couldn’t live without music so she decided to audition. Another interesting fact about Sonika–she prefers to sing ballads, but expects to perform other styles for the show.

Click to see the FULL LIST of American Idol 15 Top 24 Contestants!
American Idol 15 Top 24 Video Sneak Peek

In 2013, Sonika auditioned for season 4 of NBC’s The Voice. Advancing past the preliminary rounds, Sonika performed Give Your Heart a Break, by Demi Lovato for her blind audition. However, none of the celebrity judges turned their chair around for her, and Sonika’s The Voice journey was cut short.Over this past summer, Sonika auditioned for the final season of American Idol. At her celebrity audition, she performed Look At Me, by Carrie Underwood, which earned her strong praise from the judges. After she performed, Harry Connick Jr. commented that he thought she was a contender. According to The Idol Pad, Sonika survived Hollywood Week and advanced to the showcase round, where she performed I Surrender, by Celine Dion. Receiving a standing ovation from judge Keith Urban, Sonika was admitted into the top 24.

Instruments Sonika Plays: Piano

Links:

• Website: n/a
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sonika_KAY_Vaid
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SONIKAVAID101/videos
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sonikakayvaid/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sonika.vaid.31
• Vine: https://vine.co/u/941022459426172928
• Soundcloud: n/a
• Idol Audition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvX6No5gjes
• Interview With Sonika: http://www.myfoxboston.com/entertainment/massachusetts-native-auditions-for-american-idol-the-farewell-season/13240790

Overall Thoughts: Originally in the pre-season time, I had blown Sonika off as simply a fodder contestant. However, my opinion of her has completely changed after seeing her audition. For me, Sonika’s voice is the perfect Saturday night spent enjoying people’s company in front of a pleasant fire. There is just something about her tone that is so soothing and pleasant that I can’t help being transfixed by her when she sings. Either way, I am hooked on Sonika now and I am hoping for the best for her this season. I think she has a lot to offer and I hope she sticks around long enough to show us different sides of her talent.

Song Suggestions:

1. One Call Away, by Charlie Puth. Add the piano for an incredible moment.
2. Listen To Your Heart, by DHT
3. Every Time We Touch, by Cascada (Slow Remix)

Sonika Vaid sang Look at Me at her Denver audition. Click to check out her FULL AUDITION

More American Idol Performances:

Showcase Round – I Surrender by Celine Dion – Click to Watch VIDEO
Hollywood Group Round – Click to Watch VIDEO
Hollywood Round Last Solo – Click to Watch VIDEO
Semifinal Round – Safe and Sound  – Click to Watch VIDEO
Idol Star Duet Round w Caleb Johnson – Skyfall – Click to Watch VIDEO