American Idol Season 7 Audition – Josiah Leming
February 5, 2008 by Jeanne
Josiah Leming has been living out of his car since leaving home about a year ago and, although he initially said that he loves it, he broke down in tears over his loneliness.
He first sang an original tune, “To Run” but the judges stopped him after they detected a strange British accent coming through when he sang. He didn’t really have an explanation but I totally heard it right away too – I kept thinking of Keane (one of my fave Brit bands) and was glad when Randy and Simon asked about it. For fun, Simon had Josiah sing “Chasing Cars” (by Snow Patrol) and it was crazy! He was put through to the next round and as he was leaving, he slipped into a British accent again.
I really liked Josiah and I was happy that he made it through to Hollywood. I think he’s interesting and unique and could really surprise a few people.
Watch his audition:
Josiah was letting a little fame get to his head. He is talented but not mature enough to be in this competition. He would cry on cue and needs to grow up before competing in this high pressure talent show. He has the emotional mentality of a 14 year old right now.
Some people are emotional and it was obviously genuine. Josiah was robbed, he was a much better singer than some of the fuys that got through. I’m sure it had something to do with the fact that they already had a couple blonde males.
Love Josiah. He definitely has something. Something I wanted to watch and now that he is gone, I don’t want to watch American Idol.
I hope someone picks him up very soon. He is definitely a Star.
Josiah is AWESOME! I am SO heartbroken for him. I LOVE his little southern accent (being a natural southern girl myself) and with his little singing voice. OMG! I seriously hope he goes on to bigger and better things. He really deserves it. He is extremely talented and there were A LOT of people who made it through that were not as talented as him.
please bring him back he was an original….what talent he has…which we only got to see a little bit..I would much rather him be confident that shy and can’t perform…my heart goes out to him…please bring him back from all in NC
I just hope that something happens to cause one of the top 24 to have to be cut so that Josiah may come back…. this was a travesty that he was cut!!! Regardless though, I hope that for his fans he continues to follow his dream. He does not need idol now to become a huge star, but I know that us Idol lovers would love to have him as our Idol.
I really wanna support Josiah, but I gotta wonder, too – how the hell does he have a MySpace account if he’s living out his car? Is that MySpace page bullshit, or is it really him?
ITS NOT HARD ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS USE YOUR PARENTS HOUSE ADDRESS, USE YOU PERSONAL INFO FROM THERE DOWN LOAD PICTURES AND WHAT NOT AT IN WHERE THAT HAS A WI FI OR WHAT NOT.
I know where I live you can use the internet for free at the library. Maybe he does that. Maybe since the show he has gotten some deals, I hope so, I mean that was taped awhile ago, correct? The live shows dont start till next week. I just hope he makes it big. I love american idol but I think they were wrong in this decision.
I think he looks like the kid from 6th sence….. Sometimes I see dead people
I love Josiah so much and he should NOT have gotten elimined off of idol. It sucked and I’m not even going to watch it this year!!! Josiah need to become famous and I’ll come to every one of his concerts!!!
I love Josiah so much and he should NOT have gotten elimined off of idol. It sucked and I’m not even going to watch it this year!!! Josiah needs to become famous and I’ll come to every one of his concerts!!!
He should have made it in!!! But, i think he will still do great outside of idol. I would so buy his CD. I’m planning to buy a bunch of songs from his myspace.
Put him back to idol! he’s very talented and not stereotyped!
Remember the song that Josiah was singing? Its called “Grace Kelly,” and it was written by Mika about how much Simon Cowell sucks!
You can hear the song here:
amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NA2776/unimotrecunir-20
So glad i found it!
I think Josiah is a very outgoing kid and that if Simon saw those other tapes of him at 3:30 in the morning with his hair sticking up on end crying Simon would have understood how frusterated Josiah was. May all your dreams come true Josiah and i am blowing kisses for u!
P.S. i meant he was frusturated with the band and he was so not over confident!
Clive Davis is going to lose a lot of money. At first I was simply crushed by Josiah’s top 24 rejection, but the more I think about it, as talented as he is he doesn’t need American Idol. Some other music exec (smarter than Cowell) with any sense at all will sign him and he will become history. Josiah is a young Paul McCartney. We are watching a legend being born before our eyes. Good luck to you, Josiah. My prayers are with you. I just know that you will be a very big success one day soon.
I heard an hour interview with him on VFTW.com. It is an internet radio station but you can still download the interview from their page. He takes calls in from listeners and he did an awesome interview. He said he is back home with family and his mom is battling the big “C”. She also has her own Blog regarding her illness and her battles with it. It just makes my heart even more sad for him. (google Sharon Leming). Did you know his mom is only 39 yrs old and has 9 children. I am 35 yrs old and can’t even manage to handle a full time job and a dog. God Bless that Family. Read her blog she discusses Josiah and her family. I wish anyone success that struggles to get there.
HEY!!! Taylor
the name of the song that josiah sang was “grace kelly” by mika.
ahh. josiah. i couldve cried when he got voted off. :[ i keep wondering how he’s doing. i thought he had a good chance of winning it all :[ ilovethatkid.
josiah! youre so very good!
muaah!
idol!!!11111
i love josiah very much…..
Whoa.
Many people were touched by Josiah. Including me. He is truly incredible.
emmie__b@hotmail.com ,if anyone wants to contact me. Please let me know if there is any way I can help.
Here’s the thing. Josiah EMULATES. He has some skills and a natural ability but everything thing he does sounds like someone else. He has let his influences shape his performance which is very affected and over-the-top (case in point – the fake British accent, playing the piano like Chris Martin, even his vocal phrasing.
The thing about this dude is that he is a dangerous mix of ego and insecurity. He considers himself exceptional but still needs the validation from others. That’s what the judges saw and disliked. His love of music is second only to his desire to be praised as a musician.
So true Bastardo. Most probably he has middle child syndrome. He’s got 9 siblings.
Can’t believe so many fell for this. He doesn’t live in his car, please. From the pics on MySpace he seems to have a happy life with many friends and family. He’s a better actor than singer.
Please email me at the address below and let me know that he’s made it out of LA alive and with his virginity intact.
SO true what some have said- he’s too sweet and innocent and there are vultures waiting in the wings salivating.
He’s so adorable I can’t imagine a mother/father/family just abandoning him or letting him just take off like he did. No way.
Please email me and let me know- I am not that well-off at all- but I would gladly give Josiah some money for nothing in return but to just let him know that he’s not alone and that there are people in the world who do care and are not greedy or opportunistic or terribly shady like LA-types. (I live in San Diego- so if you’re close or near by and need a hot meal or place to crash or whatever- let me know- I’m happy to help!)
I’ve been there where you are and it’s not fun, but you can make it out without compromising yourself in any way. If I could afford it- I’d adopt you and put you in music school to pursue your dreams and become educated too.
Stay strong you handsome devil you! =)
samdiego007 at gmail dot com
Oh- ok- so you can post your email on here…
If anyone that knows any information about Josiah- or if you’re reading this- here it is- so let me know and my prayers and thoughts are with you!
samdiego007@gmail.com
I know I’m no Simon Cowell and I do respect his opinion as I do Randy’s and Paula’s. However, I hope they and others will encourage Josiah Leming to continue to persue his dream. If nothing happens until next year, I hope he tries out again. I’m sure he learned from his mistake of this year. I am 59 years old and believe he not only has singing talent but has that “it” that the entertainment world requires. Keep trying, Josiah, you are in my prayers. Roxanne
I am a 51yr old mother of 2 sons and Josiah I an proud of you for being a man. You wear your heart on your sleeve and it makes you the singing star you will be. Don’t ever lose that. It is your soul that I hear in your music and you are a beautiful strong man. Any time your in PA your welcome to stay with me. I would love to hear a song titled Dreams come True written from your mind, heart and soul. I will forever remember you and your music crossing my path into my heart.
I am a 51yr old mother of 2 sons and Josiah I an proud of you for being a man. You wear your heart on your sleeve and it makes you the singing star you will be. Don’t ever lose that. It is your soul that I hear in your music and you are a beautiful strong man. Any time your in PA your welcome to stay with me. I would love to hear a song titled Dreams come True written from your mind, heart and soul. I will forever remember you and your music crossing my path into my heart.
Does anyone know the song at the end of this clip?
The first song was closer by joshua radin a very good song and the second one i am not sure just google the lyrics
paula, randy, and that crazy simon did have any idea to build an idol!!!
Josiah is next international idol!!!
how can they cut him!!!
huh, just a little stress out can mean anything you know! simon! you get your credit now, Ryan never introduce your exist at every end of the show, taste it man!
N.B : i’m Indonesian, i watch the show maybe more late one week, becuase one of indonesian’s television buy the copy and play it, so it’s not a live show, but i like Josiah so much! hope that Josiah will have a bright future even without american idol!!!!
-can someone kick away simon?!?!?!-
what a suprised see josiah not into top 24…i like him….wish they gave him opportunity……
i hoped he will make it top 24, but i think he will make it with his music. hes too talented and he will succeed
The British accent was just Josiah emulating his favorite music artitsts. This is a wonderful article… Can’t you feel we are seeing the beginnings of a great star here?
Josiah Leming is a great musician and a great success story that could only have happened in the last few years. He did get a little exposure on American Idol, but without his wise use of the web to build his fanbase he couldn’t be where he is. It’s a great time for promoting talent that in the past may never have gotten heard!
I hope he becomes reconized like Jordin Sparks or other people like that, but when I first saw him audition I fell in in love with that boy and now i’m wondering if he will try again next season.
dont know what about you but i loved his audition, starting from his blond hair and right a head to his slightly british accent.
and so what if he’s emotional? who cares? after all he has been through it’s no wonder.