Everybody's buzzing about Knoxville native Didi Benami

Photo by Michael Becker, FOX

Didi Benami, "American Idol" contestant and former Knoxvillian

Photo by Michael Becker, FOX

Didi Benami, "American Idol" contestant and former Knoxvillian

LOS ANGELES — All the good early "American Idol" buzz about Knoxville contestant Didi Benami has been lost on her during the past few weeks.

She doesn't Google her own name and won't go to the Internet to search for the latest reviews of her performances. Benami, a 23-year-old who got her first chance at performing in Knoxville, says it's best to stay away from all the hype, good or bad.

Oddly, she has been on the most-watched show in America and is unaware of what's being said about her.

"There are some haters out there, and I don't want to read what they have to say," she says during a phone interview. "I tend to not see anything (on the Web) because I don't want to psych myself out."

What she's missing are stellar reviews from major bloggers, fans of the show and newspapers across the country. The Houston Chronicle said early on that Benami had the right stuff to win the title this season.

Regardless of the early hype she has received, Benami is focusing on today. She's also reflective of yesterday - dedicating her performances to her late best friend, a songwriter who died in an accident. The event spurred Benami to leave Belmont University in Nashville and go to Los Angeles, where she's been struggling to get her career off the ground.

Back in Knoxville, Benami had no trouble getting noticed. She got her first taste of performing for crowds around here.

"I have to say that people in Knoxville really encouraged me to sing," she says. "They'd say, 'You've got to sing. You're going to make it big some day.' I kind of overlooked myself in that sense back then.

"Knoxville did have (an influence) in helping to shape my music."

She sang in school musicals, did the National Anthem often and would sing on a regular basis at Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church.

"I couldn't be any closer to God than when I sang at church," she says. "It breaks out the spirituality in me."

Benami attended Rocky Hill Elementary, Bearden Middle School and West High School.

"She is the most independent go-getter you'll ever meet," says Knoxville resident Jeff Bailey, who knew Benami through his son. "She is so high strung. You can see that on 'Idol.'"

Benami's independent streak included moving into her own apartment while she was in high school. She also worked at P.F. Chang's as a waitress.

Benami also graduated from West High a year early.

Her mother, Mary, who is from Maryville, is now living in Los Angeles and helping Benami while she is on "Idol."

Benami seems to have rarely lacked for ambition - and that includes making it onto "Idol." Benami, who admits she hasn't always watched "Idol" over the years, is still taken aback she's gone as far as she has.

"It's unreal that this is happening to me," she says. "It literally hits every cord and nerve in my body."

© 2010, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
Want to use this article? Click here for options!

© 2010 Knoxville.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.