Ian Benardo

Ian Benardo rose to prominence after his 2007 appearances on the popular US talent competition television shows American Idol and So You Think You Can Dance? as a contestant. He has also been widely publicized on shows such as Extra (TV series), Access Hollywood, and numerous other tabloid shows and magazines. He has also regularly appeared on Good Day New York for his outlandish and outspoken behavior. Videos of his television appearances have become widely available on the internet, popularizing Benardo as an internet phenomenon. Ian Benardo was born November 29, 1980 in the Riverdale section of Bronx, New York. He attended P.S. 24 and the LaGuardia High School for Music and Art. He studied at SUNY Geneseo and majored in Sociology in 1998. After one year he left and traveled to Israel where he resided part-time for the next six years. He holds dual American/Israeli citizenship. Benardo's appearances on reality/talent contest television shows brought him to public attention. In both contests, Benardo was rejected at the first audition and had his performances harshly criticized by a British judge, each resulting in an angry confrontation. Benardo's act was characterized by his