'Idol' curiosity Sanjaya builds following :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Television

"Flowing hair and a precious smile have their rewards.
Especially if you're Sanjaya Malakar, who is considered one of the weakest performers on ''American Idol'' but has a fan base that has helped him survive multiple rounds of viewer elimination.
In the online community and in Malakar's home state of Washington, the croaking crooner seems to have a loyal following of friends, family and fanatics who would like nothing better than to see him achieve the ultimate ''Idol'' success and be the last singer standing in May.
''I think he has a career ahead of him, whether he wins or not,'' said Pat Wright, a gospel choir director in Seattle who has known Malakar for five years.
Wright, who calls in weekly to vote for Malakar, acknowledges that much of his support likely comes from an online community of young fans enthralled with his chameleon hairdos and flashing grin.
''He's very handsome. That's most of it,'' she said. ''He's a teenager, and young girls and guys really like him.''"