Ex-'American Idol' Star To Make Stage Debut

NEW YORK (AP) - Former "American Idol" star Sanjaya Malakar is making his stage debut this month - but, no, it won't be in "Hair."

The Indian-American singer, who was a finalist on Season 6 of the Fox singing competition and became known as much for his hairstyles as his voice, will be stepping into the off-Broadway musical "Freckleface Strawberry."

The show is based on the popular children's book by Julianne Moore and is being staged at New World Stages on 50th Street.

Malakar, son of a Bengali classical musician, joins the show on Feb. 23.

The 21-year-old is currently writing and recording his own original music for a full length album "Life-Love-Music."