Jasmine Trias

A native of Honolulu, HI, born in November 1986, Filipino-American diva Jasmine Trias entered the national spotlight via her participation as a competitor in season three of American Idol. Trias commenced vocal training as an eight-year-old at Kapolei, Hawaii's prestigious Performing Artist Academy, continued her musical education for two years, and then resumed performance studies at the academy from the age of 14. In addition to vocal work, the burgeoning diva quickly branched out into instrumental performance as well, with professional lessons on the ukulele, guitar, and piano, meanwhile training as a dancer in the twin arenas of hip-hop and ballet. As an Idol contestant in early 2004, Trias performed a memorable and acclaimed rendition of Whitney Houston's "Run to You," moving her into the top 12 (generating some controversy from those who attributed her success to state support); she eventually finished third in the overall competition. Despite Trias' failure to win the top prize, the exposure from the show prompted the independent music label Clockwork Entertainment to sign her as a recording artist. She issued an eponymous debut album in 2005, which sold in excess of 50,000 copies worldwide; Universal Records picked up the rights to distribute the recording in the Philippines and saw it go double platinum there -- turning Trias into a household name in that country. Trias also swept up accolades at the Hawaii Music Awards and the PARIs (or Filipino music awards). - Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide