Travis Orlando

THE BRONX - Bronx teen and former American Idol contestant Travis Orlando has risen above his tough childhood and is making a name for himself in the music business.
Orlando bounced around the city during his youth, spending much of his time in homeless shelters. He's now on his way to stardom after being a contestant on Idol twice.
The singer has a manager helping him advance his career, and he's often found singing at gigs in Manhattan. He even has a concert lined up in West Africa in a few months. - New 12

Jan 19 2011 11:07 PM EST 11,377
Travis Orlando was the final New Jersey auditioner to face the three-judge panel on Wednesday night’s (January 19) “American Idol” premiere, and they clearly saved one of the best for last.

Sporting a snug red T-shirt and skinny jeans, the slender, bespectacled Bronx native first won over judges with a tender rendition of the Beatles’ “Eleanor Rigby,” in a delicately soulful voice that newbie judge Jennifer Lopez later called “pretty” and “sweet.” Clearly feeling the teen singer’s cover, Steven Tyler asked to hear more, and Orlando obliged with Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours,” which scored approving nods from judge Randy Jackson.


‘American Idol’ Hopeful Travis Orlando Shines During Auditions


However, despite his sugary vocals, Orlando entered the “Idol” judging session with a scrappy backstory. The 16-year-old took viewers on a tour of his rough Bronx neighborhood near the Grand Concourse thoroughfare, an area he described as being plagued with murder and crime, as he and some family members walked past a curbside shrine to a fallen neighbor.

“You have robberies, you have killings — anything you can possibly imagine goes on here,” Orlando said. The teen crooner also spoke candidly about living in homeless shelters for a few years, when the tight-knit Orlando clan fell on hard times after their patriarch fell ill and they succumbed to the recession.

Despite the adversity, Orlando said his twin brother, Timmy — who he admitted is nothing like him — supported him and told him to keep his head up and believe in his talent. So it was only fitting that not only was Orlando’s family waiting for him with Ryan Seacrest while he auditioned, but they bum-rushed the room with glee when the judges announced Orlando was headed to Hollywood. The final audition of the day took a heartfelt emotional turn as the twins embraced and fought back tears.

As the last of the 51 West Coast-bound “Idol” crooners, Orlando said he wanted his story to inspire others to chase their dreams, regardless of the circumstances. The teen singer tearfully signed off by saying he wanted to “prove to other people that anyone can do this.” - MTV

We all strive to pursue our dreams, but don’t always realize how important an education can be in getting us there. This is all too true for 17-year-old Travis Orlando. A homeless high-school dropout who was faced with his father’s heart condition and his mother’s abandonment, Orlando went on a mission to pursue his music career. After being voted off American Idol for the second time, Orlando took a bold step towards creating a better future for himself.

In his final Idol interview, Travis was touched by the words of the camerawoman, who said “You have lost so much. You don’t want to lose even more by not finishing school.” Orlando, 17, has since enrolled at the Adult Learning Center at Lehman College in the Bronx, where he will be able to earn his GED. He hopes to make his mom proud and do something positive with his life by finishing up his education.

And Orlando’s not the first Idol contestant to step out of the spotlight in pursuit of something else. David Archuleta, runner-up of season seven, announced in December that he would be taking a two-year music hiatus to go on a Mormon mission. - Huffington Post

On last night’s episode of American Idol, the judges were in Pittsburgh, PA searching for the best voice all around to compete for the title. One contestant in particular caught the attention of Puerto Rican actress/singer and Idol judge Jennifer Lopez. This contestant, 17-year-old Travis Orlando, a Bronx native of Puerto Rican descent auditioned with the song “Isn’t She Lovely” by Stevie Wonder to receive constructive criticism and an uncertain decision from the judging panel, which includes Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler.

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According to Fox News Latino, Orlando had auditioned last season and shared his story of living in a shelter, being homeless, and his father’s complicated health condition. Last year, his mother was there cheering him on, but this go-around she was absent.

“Last year after Idol aired, my mom walked out,” Orlando said. “She found another relationship that she obviously loved more than her family. That really hurt me.”

He then revealed that he dropped out of high school and that his father was being treated with dialysis.

“It’s an all of nothing thing,” Orlando pleaded with the judges. “It means a lot to me.”

Obviously touched by his story, Lopez tried to lift his spirits, while giving him some advice. “Your voice had gotten strong since last year,” she said. “But, there is a part of it that you are not coming all the way out with it. I really want you to do that.”

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Orlando knew at that moment he had a lot to prove. “I’m doing this not only for myself, but to show my mom that I’m worth something,” he added. “I can do this. I’m not a good-for-nothing low life. I can do something with my life and something positive with it.”

We’ll have to look out for him in the Hollywood-week round! - latina.com

Teenager Travis Orlando lived in a shelter in the Bronx for a couple years. He takes the American Idol camera crew back to the shelter, so they can see where he once lived. He says his family, which also includes a twin brother, is now out of the shelter, but they’re still living paycheck to paycheck.

He sings The Beatles’ Eleanor Rigby, giving it some swing and syncopation. Steven Tyler wants to hear something else, so Travis does Jason Mraz’s I’m Yours.

He’s the final audition in New Jersey — the 51st successful contestant.

Here’s a video of Travis singing Eleanor Rigby.

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“Great jump off today,” Randy says. Thursday night, American Idol heads to the Big Easy — New Orleans. - USA Today