Antwan Michael

American Idol season 9 contestant Antwan Michael is rumored to have made it to the top 24 contestants, before "Hollywood Week" auditions were shown on television. The rumor began as Michael Lynche was allegedly disqualified for leaking his top 24 status, then Michael replaced him.1 Although nothing is yet official, check back often for updates.

Michael auditioned for American Idol in Boston, Massachusetts. He writes many of the lyrics to his own songs, and prefers singing in the R&B genre of music, although his favorite style to listen to is country. Michael first sang in public during his third grade talent show, leaving the audience in awe as he belted out "I Believe I Can Fly," originally by R Kelly.2
- AP

Just beyond the bloodied waters of the Six Flags Great Adventure fountain is the secret lair of one of the most frightening characters at the park’s annual “Fright Fest”­— the sinister and misunderstood Demon Barber of Main Street.

The tortured soul, the subject of a one-man show just in front of the Liberty Square Gazebo on Main Street, is enraptured in heartbreak, and tells his story through songs from “Sweeney Todd,” “Wicked,” and “Phantom of the Opera.”

Although his appearance is frightening, his portrayer, Antwan Michael of Hightstown, insists the Demon Barber is just sad and lonely, pining for a lost love.

“The barber is heartbroken because the woman he loves is gone,” said Michael.

Michael understands heartbreak — the crooner had his own share of disappointment after just missing the top 32 for last year’s Season 9 of “American Idol.” The 20-year-old Hightstown High School graduate competed against Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox during Simon Cowell’s final season of the show.

“I got close to Lee. Lee and Crystal helped me during rehearsals the most, and then they went to be the top two,” he said, adding that “Idol” was a show he grew up watching. “I also sat around playing guitar with Casey James, and now he’s signed to a deal in Nashville.”

He finished at 43, and although he said he enjoyed his time on the show very much and that his involvement in the competition opened “more doors than I could imagine,” he hit a rough spot when the ride came to an end.

“I had a hard time after that, and went into a seven-month depression,” he said, adding that he nearly gave up singing and was looking into a career as a veterinarian.

Then he discovered through an e-mail that Six Flags was auditioning for ghouls at Fright Fest. At first, he was disappointed the park was looking only for a female vocalist, but he went for ghoul auditions anyway.

After the general audition, the performers were asked if they had any other talents. Michael saw an opportunity, and he decided to go for it with a song.

“I performed ‘Forget You’ by Cee Lo Green, and then two days later they called me with an opportunity to do this show,” he said.

Since Michael himself went through a breakup with his girlfriend during his own dark period, he is able to bring his own pain into his nightly performance each weekend at the Jackson theme park as he creates the character of the lovelorn Demon.

To transform himself into the Demon, Michael arrives at the park at 4 p.m. to meet with the “most amazing Six Flags airbrush team” members, who manage to apply makeup to all of the actors in a half-hour, he said.

“My makeup is sinister, and the idea is to let me still show expression,” he said. “He is more sad and devious than angry and devious.”

Although he said his appearance is frightening, he is still taken aback when young people in the park cower in fear during the show.

“Some kids are terrified of my character, and for me I was a little surprised,” he said.

He does note that his character, shaped after Sweeney Todd with a twist, does have a barber’s knife, essentially a prop straight-edge razor, and that can be a little unsettling. He said he tries to sing to the kids to show them his demon isn’t such a bad guy, just sad, as he tries to put a “little more of a romantic spin” to the character.

“I walk into the audience and kids are clinging to their mothers. Sometimes I forget I have my makeup on,” he laughed.

Although this is his first year joining Fright Fest, Michael cut his teeth on stage in a national touring production of “The Color Purple” as Young Harpo, as well as an off-Broadway production of “Rent” and many local community productions. He also was invited to sing at the White House for Congressman Elijah Cummings.

Additionally, Michael is making strides as a recording artist. He wrapped recording a full album at Studio3NJ, a recording studio owned by Richard Taylor in New Brunswick.

Michael met Taylor at a benefit where the singer was performing for a young woman battling a rare neurological disease, and he won a raffle for four hours of free recording time.

Taylor was so impressed with Michael’s vocals, he fleshed out the recording process to two songs. It stretched to an EP, but finished as an album.

Again, Michael’s “American Idol” experience came in handy. He said that performing for former “American Idol” judge Kara DioGuardi was beneficial. He appreciated her professional input, and he remains in awe of her songwriting talent.

“The music she has written is just amazing, and some of the best songs I’ve ever heard,” he said of DioGuardi, who wrote the hits “Walk Away” and “Behind These Hazel Eyes” for Kelly Clarkson, “Undo It” for Carrie Underwood and “Sober” recorded by Pink. “If I were to sit in a recording studio with her, I would be the happiest man alive. It would help me grow as an artist just to be in the same recording booth with her.”

He may get his chance - the Times (Trenton+mercer Cty, NJ)

Emily Gabriele, Music Editor DailyTargum.com

If you haven't heard the name Antwan Michael yet, it's only a matter of time until you do. Hailing from Hightstown, N.J., this 21-year-old singer/songwriter is anything but traditional. He flirts with nearly every musical genre, making him a unique find. "My plan is that I want to create my own genre - which isn't a genre. Music is an expression; so in every way shape or form I want it to be just that. I want it to be an expression of everything that's happened to me. I just want it to be honest."

With honesty on his side, Michael is in the midst of putting the final touches on his debut album. However, his album is far from the first of his musical endeavors - his arsenal is filled with many character-building experiences. Michael has been interested in music since middle school. He tried out for school plays and temporarily enrolled in a school that specialized in performing arts. When the school shut down, he still continued forward with his musical pursuits.
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At the young age of 16, Michael first auditioned for American Idol, and did so every year following. His greatest accomplishment with the show was in season nine, where he made it to the top-50 contestants. "I was 43 out of the top 50, but who's counting?" Michael playfully comments. Not going as far as he would have hoped in the Idol competitions, he decided to cultivate his talents by his own means. Reaching out to local recording studio Studio3NJ, headed by Richard Taylor, Michael compiled a tentative 12-track album he intends to drop within the next eight to 12 weeks.

The debut album is titled, Where I Want To Be. Michael claims, "It's like my child - straight up - my child." The album's first single is set to be an R & B track titled, "Stone Cold." Well-known producer Pete Kuzma produced this track and it's set to be featured on the VenLabs app DimSong.

Michael's musical future holds much potential and he feels that where he is at in his musical career is ideal right now. "Right now in my life - at this very moment, by 21 - I wanted to have a full album recorded, and I'm exactly where I want to be." - The Daily Targum (Rutgers University)