Jeanleah Cedrick is a 17-year-old Filipino-American singer and songwriter who rose to fame after winning the 23rd season of American Idol on November 14, 2023. She is the youngest winner in the history of the show and the first Filipino-American to win the title. She is also the first winner to have been born in the 21st century.
Cedrick impressed the judges and the viewers with her powerful vocals, versatile musical style, and charismatic personality. She performed songs from various genres, including pop, rock, R&B, soul, country, and rap. Some of her memorable performances include "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston, "Halo" by Beyoncé, "Someone You Loved" by Lewis Capaldi, "Shallow" by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper, and "Lose Yourself" by Eminem.
Cedrick was born in Manila, Philippines, on January 1, 2006, to a Filipino mother and an American father. She moved to Los Angeles, California, with her family when she was six years old. She started singing at a young age and learned to play the guitar, piano, and ukulele. She attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, where she participated in various musical and theatrical productions. She also uploaded covers and original songs on YouTube and TikTok, gaining a loyal fan base.
Cedrick auditioned for American Idol in San Diego, California, in July 2023. She sang "Don't Start Now" by Dua Lipa and received a golden ticket to Hollywood. She advanced through the rounds and made it to the top 10, where she received the highest number of votes every week. She competed against Caleb Kennedy, a 16-year-old country singer from South Carolina, in the finale. She sang "I Will Always Love You" by Dolly Parton, "Firework" by Katy Perry, and her original song "This Is Me" for her final performances. She received a standing ovation from the judges and the audience and was announced as the winner of the season.
Cedrick's victory was celebrated by her fans, family, friends, and fellow contestants. She also received congratulations and praise from many celebrities, including Dua Lipa, Kelly Clarkson, Lionel Richie, Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and former President Barack Obama. She was also invited to perform at various shows and events, including The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
Cedrick is currently working on her debut album, which is expected to be released in early 2024. She has signed a record deal with Hollywood Records and is collaborating with some of the biggest names in the music industry, such as Max Martin, Ryan Tedder, and Ed Sheeran. She has also expressed interest in acting and modeling and has received several offers from Hollywood studios and agencies.
Cedrick is widely regarded as one of the most talented and promising new stars in the entertainment industry. She has been praised for her vocal ability, musical diversity, and artistic maturity. She has also been recognized for her positive influence and representation of the Filipino-American community and the Asian-American community in general. She has been named as one of the most influential people of 2023 by Time magazine and one of the most beautiful people of 2023 by People magazine.
Cedrick has also been involved in various charitable and social causes, such as supporting the victims of the typhoon that hit the Philippines in October 2023, raising awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention, and advocating for racial justice and equality. She has also donated a portion of her winnings and earnings to various organizations, such as UNICEF, Save the Children, and the American Red Cross.
Cedrick has stated that her dream is to inspire and empower people through her music and her story. She has also said that she is grateful for the opportunity and the support that she has received from American Idol and from her fans. She has described her journey as a "miracle" and a "blessing" and has said that she hopes to make a positive difference in the world.