Kevin Covais

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kevin Covais
Born	Kevin Patrick Covais May 30, 1989 (age 17) Levittown, New York, US
Known for	American Idol
Occupation	Actor, rapper, singer
Height	5'8" (1.73 m)
Religious belief	Roman Catholic
Website	www.kevcovais.com

Kevin Patrick Covais (kō-VĀ-əs^[1]) (born May 30, 1989) was a fifth season American Idol participant from Levittown, New York. He was the second finalist eliminated from the competition on March 22, 2006, making him the eleventh-place finalist.

Contents 1 Biography 1.1 American Idol performances 2 After Idol 3 Films 4 External links

[edit] Biography

Covais was born and raised in Levittown, New York, on Long Island. He is the son of John Covais, a retired sheriff, and Patty Covais, and the cousin of New York–based jazz vibraphonist/composer Chris Covais. He is the youngest of three. He is of Italian, Irish, French, and German descent. Covais was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age ten and has an insulin pump, like his fellow contestant, Elliott Yamin.^[2]

Covais started singing at the age of 10 and has taken voice lessons for four years. Covais has stated that Brian McKnight and American Idol Season 1 winner Kelly Clarkson are favorite singers of his. In the future, he plans to pursue a career in singing, acting, or journalism.

Covais was a junior at Island Trees High School during his Idol run, and is currently a senior in the 2006-07 school year. He is a former student of Island Trees Middle School. He is a member of the Drama Club and has played the lead in several school plays including Brighton Beach Memoirs, Godspell, and Guys and Dolls; he is also a member of the Metropolitan Youth Chorale and the National Honor Society. In the 2005-06 school year, he won the lead in the school's musical, Anything Goes but had to leave for American Idol. Covais is a fan of Kanye West. He also won some competitions outside of school, such as Eisenhower Park's Reach for the Stars in 2003. He is also a fan of the New York Yankees, the New Jersey Nets, and the New York Jets.

Covais auditioned in Boston, Massachusetts. On March 9, 2006, he made it into the top 12 of American Idol, which is the finalist round. Covais has sarcastically dubbed himself the show's "sex symbol," while fellow finalist Paris Bennett called him "Chicken Little" for his supposed resemblance to the character in the Disney movie.

Following one performance, Abdul remarked that she wanted to pinch Covais' cheeks; Seacrest sent him over to where the female contestants were sitting so they could do so.

Covais generated controversy when he made it to the top 12 over Gedeon McKinney, finishing second from last. The week after, Covais outlasted Melissa McGhee to make it to the top eleven. Media outlets and Idol fans often attributed this to the Vote for the Worst movement from Votefortheworst.com.

Covais was eliminated on March 22, 2006. He was in the bottom three with Bucky Covington and Lisa Tucker.

Covais also befriended Ace Young, Chris Daughtry, Katharine McPhee, Lisa Tucker, Paris Bennett, Elliott Yamin and Bucky Covington.

[edit] American Idol performances

Semifinals

• February 22, 2006 - "One Last Cry" by Brian McKnight
• March 1, 2006 - "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye (Bottom 3)
• March 8, 2006 - "Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)" by Don McLean
  • Jackson and Abdul were complimentary. Cowell was not, saying only 90-year-olds would enjoy it.

Finals

• March 14, 2006 - "Part Time Lover" by Stevie Wonder
  • Jackson and Abdul liked that Covais had fun. Cowell thought it was "appalling."
• March 21, 2006 - "When I Fall in Love" by Doris Day (Eliminated)
  • The judges were complimentary. Cowell said Covais's fanbase would eat it up.

Season finale

• May 24, 2006 - "What's New Pussycat?" by Tom Jones
  • This was performed during the Burt Bacharach medley performed by the top 12 finalists at the finale.

[edit] After Idol

Even after his ouster from American Idol Covais still wants to pursue singing. He has made a number of media appearances, including Jimmy Kimmel Live on March 24, 2006, Live with Regis and Kelly on March 29 and July 4, The Today Show on March 30, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show on April 4.

Covais also wants to return to television, telling TV Guide's Shawna Malcolm, "You'll see me on TV again. If Disney comes calling..."^[3] In December 2006 he performed at a Disneyworld holiday concert.

After making rounds on the talk-show circuit, Covais returned to New York on March 30. Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi presented him with a key to the city, and declared that day "Kevin Covais Day."

He recorded "When I Fall in Love" for the CD American Idol Season 5: Encores compilation CD, which features a song from each of the 12 finalists.

He has not been signed to a recording contract, but remains optimistic: "Who knows, maybe something big will happen." [1]

Covais is working with the American Diabetes Association to educate young people about diabetes.^[2]

In the months following his Idol ouster, Covais received a perfect score, 100 points, in the New York State School Music Association's (NYSSMA) annual All State Choral tryout. Immediately following his tryout, the NYSSMA judge asked him to call the judge's children at his home.^{[citation needed]}

A cartoon version of Covais has appeared in the manga webcomic Sorethumbs, due to his striking resemblance to one of the main characters (Fairbanks). [2]

Covais made a guest appearance at Nassau County's Italian American Night at the Lakeside Theatre on June 26, 2006, in Eisenhower Park.^[4]

Covais retained marketing agent David Arluck of Arluck Promotions in late 2006 to handle his diabetes related marketing and public relations activities. Arluck has also represented other celebrities with Type-1 diabetes including Gary Hall, Jr., Chris Dudley, Doug Burns, and Jay Hewitt.

Covais will rap on one track of good friend and fellow Idol finalist Paris Bennett's debut CD. [3]

Covais has a co-starring role - alongside Drake Bell - in the 2008 comedy film College as a character named Morris.

[edit] Films

Film	Year	Notes
College	2008

[edit] External links

• Official website
• Kevin Covais at American Idol
• Newsday article