Season 7’s tenth place finalist, Chikezie Eze, turned 26 on September 11th. The former TSA screener at LAX originally auditioned for Season 6 and made it to Hollywood Week. Not one to give up, Chikezie worked hard and came back for Season 7 auditions.
The judges were impressed with Chikezie's improvement and he became a Top 24 finalist. While on the show, Chikezie's smooth voice and big smile gave him the votes to make it to the Top 10. As the tenth place finalist, Chikezie was able to join his fellow nine Idols on the American Idols Live! Summer 2008 tour. He also participated in the 2008 "American Stars in Concert" tour with Diana DeGarmo, Kimberley Locke, and fellow Season 7 finalist David Hernandez. In 2009, Chikezie took part in the "American Stars in Concert" spring break tour with Melinda Doolittle, Phil Stacey, and Gina Glocksen. Chikezie even appeared on General Hospital as singing bartender K.Z. He had several speaking lines, including one about Simon Cowell, and he sang the popular Idol song, “Against All Odds.”
On July 10, 2011, Chikezie married his long-time girlfriend, Linda, in a ceremony in Los Angeles.
Happy Birthday, Chikezie!