Valrico resident, Jeremy Rosado, made it all the way to the top 13 contestants on American Idol Season 11, which airs on FOX every Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m.
American Idol Season 11 contestant, Jeremy Rosado, 20, has an abundance of local family, friends and fans that were cheering him on the road to fame.
Rosado moved to Valrico with his family from his birthplace, Brooklyn, New York, and has been singing since the age of six. He is often referred to as sweet and sensitive; which won the hearts of the Idol judges and thousands of fans.
Rosado appeared to be a favorite of Jennifer Lopez, who elected to save Rosado by choosing him for a wildcard spot when he surprisingly did not make the top 10 contestants selected by American audiences.
Before following his dream to be on Idol, Rosado graduated from Durant High School in 2009. According to his mother, Wendy Ocasio, of Valrico, her son has had no formal voice training. “He started singing Britney Spears songs when he was little and has been singing ever since,” she said.
Rosado sang Superstar for his audition in Savannah, Ga. when he earned his golden ticket to Hollywood. A determined Rosado was thrilled to make it all the way this time, as he auditioned for a Hollywood spot during four previous Idol seasons. “I think I was his good-luck charm,” said Ocasio. “We joke that his dad went with him for his first four auditions.”
Rosado, a student at Hillsborough Community College, also works at a local clinic, where his co-workers affirm his amazing outlook and attitude. In addition, Rosado volunteers as the worship leader at his church, Life Changing International Ministry, located at 2106 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. in Valrico.
Affectionately called “Jer-Bear” by the American Idol judges and other contestants, Rosado unfortunately did not make it through the round of cuts on the live Idol show on Thursday, March 8. In support of the local Idol contestant, Brandon Ale House hosted a weekly American Idol fan-fest, complete with “Team Jeremy” T-shirts that they sold for $5 and all proceeds went directly to the children’s ministry at Rosado’s church.
“We really appreciate all the support for Jeremy,” said Ocasio. “This is his dream.”
For more information about Jeremy Rosado’s American Idol experience, follow him on Twitter @JRosadoAI11 or on his Facebook Fan Page at “Jeremy Rosado.” Watch American Idol every Wednesday and Thursday at 8 p.m. on FOX. Toll-free voting and texting takes place for two hours after the show.
