American Idol interview with Nathaniel Marshall and Arianna Afsar
www.americanidol.com/videos/season_8/nathaniel_marshall
YouTube video of Nathaniel Marshall playing guitar and singing "Bleeding Love"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agvd2fqZzho
YouTube video of Nathaniel Marshall singing a cappella
www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdDtwI4qzcc
YouTube video of Nathaniel Marshall singing "The Anchor Holds"
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRoMS98bg-8
YouTube video of Nathaniel Marshall singing "Live Like You Were Dying"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POc3pXw9DkA
American Idol Top 36 Slideshow
www.americanidol.com/photos/season_8/top_36/the_photo_shoot/40145/
MALONE — Nathaniel Marshall likes to stand out — and he's been doing that on "American Idol."
The 19-year-old Malone man has made his mark by being dramatic, talented and flamboyant.
STANDING OUT
During his New York City audition, Marshall was decked out in textured pink-and-brown hair, nostril and lip piercings, multiple tattoos, a pair of tight, brightly-colored denim pants and a neon T-shirt over a collared shirt and tie.
"I think I am a little crazy upstairs," Marshall said in an online video posted on the official "American Idol" Web site. "I'm a very loud personality that tends to stand out.
"The thing that made me want to audition is to prove to everybody that just because you're a little crazy upstairs doesn't mean you can't be something amazing."
FAMILY SUPPORT
Nikita Marshall, 18, of Malone is Marshall's first cousin. She went with him to the New York City audition to offer her support.
"My family has given Nate money to help him find his dream in music. We've also given him a place to stay and gone to all of his auditions, including the one at Plattsburgh's Mayor Cup Idol.
"Nate got third place in Plattsburgh's Idol about two years ago, and even then I was proud of him. Now he is on 'American Idol,' and the whole family is so happy."
Marshall tried out for "American Idol" three times, finally making the cut this season.
On the show, Marshall explained how music is an outlet and a form of relaxation for him.
"I've probably been singing since I was like 2 or 3. I remember dancing around in my living room in my underwear to Meatloaf, the singer."
STRUGGLES
The vocalist struggled growing up. Marshall's mother was incarcerated, and he was in and out of foster care until his grandmother, Charmain Marshall of Malone, took the teenager in and raised him.
"When I found out I was going to Hollywood (after passing the first round of 'American Idol' auditions), at first nothing but joy was on my face — and then joy became tears," Marshall said in the online video.
"I just started crying. My grandmother was there, and I hugged her and thanked her for everything because without her I wouldn't have been able to audition."
GROWING UP
Marshall attended school in Saranac Lake through eighth grade, when he transferred to Malone and then to Chateaugay, where he graduated from high school in 2008.
Kim Johnston, 18, of Chateaugay lived next door to Marshall and was a sophomore in High School with him.
"Nate and I hit it off from the start," Johnston said fondly. "I remember on his first day of school at Chateaugay, he referred to me as the 'chick' that showed him where his science class was."
Marshall and Johnston spent the majority of their time together talking and playing music.
"Nate had a trampoline, so we would sit on the trampoline for hours on end talking, or I would sit and listen to him sing and play his guitar."
Johnston said her first impression of Marshall was that he was a very outgoing and dramatic person.
"He is the true definition of an individual. There is no one else in the world like him, and I knew that from the moment I met him.
"Nate is an extremely strong person, and he has been through a lot."
PROUD OF SUCCESS
Andrea Daoust, 18, of Malone is also a friend of Marshall's. She is proud of his success and firmly believes he is going to win.
"Nate is always singing. It didn't matter what it is. He can start singing about anything — any topic — and just going on," Daoust said.
"I think Nate will make it far on 'American Idol.' He's had this dream for so long, and it's finally becoming real.
"Nate has more passion and singing ability than anyone I've ever met."
Johnston agreed and said she always knew Marshall was good enough to be on the show.
"Watching him go from singing on a trampoline to singing in the Kodak Theatre is astonishing. To finally sit there and watch him on TV, on 'American Idol,' is amazing.
"I am so extremely proud of Nate and his success."
ON THE SHOW
Last week on "American Idol," Marshall sang "I'm Already There," dissolving into tears as he finished. After he was told by the judges he won the sing-off, he leaped in the air and cried again.
"American Idol" airs its live-performance episodes at 8 p.m. Tuesdays on FOX, with results shows the following night, also at 8 p.m.
From this point on, viewers will choose who stays and who leaves the show, voting via toll-free phone numbers or texting with cell phones.
Nikita Marshall said her cousin is now on a "mini-vacation" in Malone while "American Idol" runs its pre-taped episodes.
"Nate lives in his own apartment in Malone right now. He is anxious to see how far he will get on the show. Our family is proud of him, and I think he will go far in life — both on the show and musically."
Johnston also thinks he will do well in the competition.
"If Nate gets America behind him as much as this area already is, then he will have a good chance of winning.
"As long as Nate believes in himself and shows it while he performs, everyone else will also believe in him."
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
