Paris Bennett
Paris Ana'is Bennett (born August 21, 1988) is an American singer who finished in fifth place on the fifth season of the reality television talent show, American Idol.
This article is about the American singer. For the American murderer, see Murder of Ella Bennett. For the Marvel supervillain, see Exodus (comics).
Paris Bennett
Paris Ana'is Bennett
Paris
August 21, 1988
Rockford, Illinois, U.S.
Fayetteville, Georgia, U.S.
2006–present
Independent
Biography[edit]
Early years[edit]
Bennett was born in Rockford, Illinois, to Jamecia Venzett Bennett, former soprano vocalist of the vocal ensemble Sounds of Blackness, and current solo artist.[1] Bennett was raised by her mother and stepfather, downtown developer Nedal "Ned" Abdul,[2] in Edina, Minnesota.[3] Bennett began performing at the age of six,[4] and was trained by her mother and grandmother, Ann Nesby,[5] the former lead singer of the Sounds of Blackness.[6]
Bennett has three younger brothers,[5] Shakur, Jamez,[2] and Dustin, plus a sister named Shana. Bennett attended Edina High School and played the part of Dorothy in the school production of "The Wiz" in 2003.[4][7] Bennett's favorite artists are Gladys Knight, Etta James, Sarah Vaughan, Billie Holiday and Aretha Franklin.[8] In 2004, Bennett moved to Fayetteville, Georgia to live with her grandparents and began her senior year at Starr's Mill High School.[3]
Bennett had decided to pursue gynaecology, not wanting to walk in the limelight of her family.[4] However, Bennett's grandfather, Tim Lee, saw that the American Idol auditions were being held in Greensboro, and Bennett agreed to try out but said she would give up singing if she did not make it, as stated on the show.