william hung
A student at UC Berkeley, William Hung studies Civil Engineering, but he decided to pursue his dream of singing professionally, when he auditioned for TV’s American Idol, singing and dancing to Ricky Martin’s She Bangs. [1]
While studying civil engineering at University of California, Berkeley, Hung was inspired to audition for the third season of American Idol in San Francisco during September 2003 after winning a talent contest at his dormitory, Clark Kerr Campus. [2]
When I first saw Hong Kong-born UC Berkeley engineering student William Hung sing that Ricky Martin song on Fox’s “American Idol” last January, I tried to ignore it. [3]
Claim: American Idol favorite William Hung died of a heroin overdose. [4]
He was dropped from the contest before he completed the song, but his charm and attitude were a big hit with the viewing public, and the ensuing weeks brought a wave of articles, fan-mail and petitions calling to bring Hung back to the show, even as a guest commentator. [1]
“As an Asian-American male, I think he’s honest with himself,” said Hou, proud, in a strange way, that some dorky-looking Asian American with a Hong Kong accent and no singing talent is making it happen. [3]
Remixes of Hung’s audition performance topped song request lists at a number of radio stations. [2]
Las Vegas, NV - Kitschy American Idol Star William Hung, famous for his botching of Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs,” was found dead yesterday, apparently of an intentional heroin overdose. [4]
William Hung became famous by performing badly in a televised audition for the talent show American Idol. [1]
In mid-July 2004, a rumor began to circulate that William Hung had died of a heroin overdose. [4]
Hung’s tone-deaf performance of the Ricky Martin tune “She Bangs” was greeted with sneers by judge Simon Cowell, but Hung’s plucky reply became famous: “I already gave my best, and I have no regrets at all.” [1]
He was the final auditioner on the January 15, 2004, installment, the coup de gr?ce of an hour-long episode that showcased other would-be pop stars, mostly lacking in talent. [...] His character gets discovered as a singer, and helps a woman protect her business from her jealous, conniving elder sister. [...] Originally from Sha Tin, Hong Kong, Hung moved to Camden, New Jersey, in 1993 and graduated from the John H. Francis Polytechnic High School in Los Angeles. [...] Ron Lin, former editor in chief of the UC Berkeley’s Daily Californian notes that “(i)t’s really difficult for Asian American males to break through and (Hung) may not be the most appealing example.” [2]
Sources:
[1] William Hung: Biography from Answers.com
[2] William Hung - Wikipedia
[3] William Hung: Racism, Or Magic?
[4] snopes.com: William Hung Death Hoax