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MKY<\/strong> wowed the judges with his smooth vocals and genuine personality on the Sunday, March 16, installment of American Idol<\/em><\/a>, leaving viewers eager to see just how far he\u2019ll go in the popular talent competition.<\/p>\n Life & Style<\/em> rounds up everything there is to know about the season 23 contestant.<\/p>\n MKY (pronounced \u201cMikey\u201d) is a Mexican American singer who competed in season 23 of American Idol<\/em>. He was 25 years old at the time his first episode aired.<\/p>\n MKY grew up in East Los Angeles in Southern California.<\/p>\n MKY\u2019s stage name is a play on his real name, Michael \u201cMikey\u201d Jimenez \u2014 a moniker he shares with both his father, who goes by Myke Nez<\/strong>, and his late grandfather, who went by Mike Jimenez<\/strong>.<\/p>\n MKY wasn\u2019t able to attend his high school graduation because he wanted to audition for ABC\u2019s Boy Band<\/em> in 2017. He made it onto the show after singing Ne-Yo<\/strong>\u2018s \u201cBecause of You,\u201d and ended up finishing the series in the top eight.<\/p>\n MKY and three other contestants from the series formed the boy band 4th Ave in 2018. However, he decided to leave the group to work on his solo career in 2019.<\/p>\n In MKY\u2019s American Idol<\/em> video package, he said a love for singing has run in his family for generations.<\/p>\n \u201cMusic is definitely in my blood, it\u2019s in my DNA,\u201d he explained. \u201cMy great Uncle Little Ray [Jimenez]<\/strong> was the first Chicano Mexican American singing R&B-soul music in the \u201860s. My grandfather sang with a soul group called Tierra, and my dad sings R&B-soul. So, it\u2019s in me. My family has been chasing this dream, and they passed it on to me.\u201d<\/p>\n MKY also said his \u201cbiggest inspiration\u201d was his grandfather, who passed away three years prior.<\/p>\n MKY sang \u201cOoo Baby Baby\u201d by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles, prompting judge Lionel Richie<\/a><\/strong> to get up and dance with his heartfelt performance.<\/p>\n \u201cYou know where that put me? That put me in high school,\u201d he told the young singer. \u201cYes, sir, high school.\u201d<\/p>\n When MKY was asked by judge Luke Bryan<\/strong><\/a> why he chose Smokey Robinson<\/strong>, MKY revealed he \u201cgrew up\u201d on the artist as the song was a \u201cclassic\u201d in his family.<\/p>\n All three judges voted for MKY to move on in the hit talent competition.<\/p>\n Lionel called him \u201csensational,\u201d while Carrie Underwood<\/a><\/strong> said he\u2019s \u201cgot all of the pieces\u201d and that she was \u201cexcited\u201d to see how far he would go.<\/p>\n On Sunday, March 16, MKY took to his Instagram to share a photo<\/a> of himself holding his golden ticket as he thanked American Idol<\/em> for the \u201copportunity\u201d to compete on the show and his \u201cfam and supporters\u201d who have been there for him throughout his journey.<\/p>\n \u201cTHIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING,\u201d he wrote in the caption of the snapshot.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nWho Is \u2018American Idol\u2019 Season 23 Contestant MKY?<\/h2>\n
Where Is \u2018American Idol\u2019 Season 23 Contestant MKY From?<\/h2>\n
What Is the Meaning Behind MKY\u2019s Stage Name?<\/h2>\n
MKY Missed a Huge Life Event to Audition for Another Reality Competition Show<\/h2>\n
MKY Reveals Where He Got His Passion for Music<\/h2>\n
Which Song Did MKY Choose for His \u2018American Idol\u2019 Audition?<\/h2>\n
MKY Got His Golden Ticket on \u2018American Idol\u2019<\/h2>\n