“American Idol” Ryan Seacrest managed to get a lesson or two in Punjabi dance form bhangra thanks to Sikh contestant Gurpreet Singh Sarin.
Sarin auditioned in front of the show’s judges Mariah Carey, Nicki Minaj, Keith Urban and Randy Jackson in New York. He was nicknamed “Turbanator” thanks to his knack of matching the colour of his turbans to his outfits, said a statement.
The 12th season of American Idol in its first episode features Sarin, who has a collection of at least 40 or 50 turbans.
From teaching Seacrest to perform the traditional Punjabi “bhangra” (complete with the “brrruuuuaaaahhhhh”) to winning over the judges with his pleasant personality, Sarin is one of the highlights of the premiere episode.
While auditioning in the first round, he performed a soulful rendition of the Maroon 5 hit Sunday morning and even sang a few Indian scales upon Jackson’s request.
Minaj, known for her distinct and experimental sense of style, loves his look. And Sarin decided to gift her a bright marigold turban to get into her good books, said a source.
