Melinda Doolittle (born on December 1, 1977) is an American singer who finished in 3rd place on the sixth season of American Idol.
Doolittle was born in Brentwood, Tennessee, to Steve Doolittle. She graduated from Union High School in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1995. Although she has been singing since the seventh grade, her professional career did not begin until 1999 as a music major from Belmont University. Since college, her vocal instruction has been provided by her coach, Janet Kenyon. Doolittle sang back-up for Michael McDonald, Anointed, Mandisa, Aaron Neville, Jonny Lang, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Alabama, Julie Wilde, and CeCe Winans.
Doolittle first auditioned for American Idol in Memphis, Tennessee. She sang the song "For Once in My Life", which was popularized by Stevie Wonder, one of her favorite artists. She and her friends had an agreement that they would all try out just for fun. She was met with admiration from all three judges in response to her audition. They did express concern, however, about the nerves she had exhibited and told her to believe in herself.
Doolittle was eliminated on May 16, 2007, which surprised many critics and observers.
