DeShawn Goncalves

S19 · Eliminated (8th–10th)

Latest documented update, September 1, 2021

As of September 2021, DeShawn Goncalves was studying music at Jackson State University, playing sousaphone in the Sonic Boom of the South, and recording a debut album.⁠[1]

Career

Before the show

  1. 2019He graduated from East High School in Columbus in 2019 and took part in the Fort Hayes Paragon Project, where students write and record songs.⁠[4]

After the show

  1. September 1, 2021As of September 1, 2021, he was studying music technology and performance at Jackson State University on a full academic scholarship, playing sousaphone in the Sonic Boom of the South, and recording a debut album.⁠[1]

Date not documented

  1. He began singing in a church choir at age 4, then played trumpet in sixth grade, piano in seventh grade, and drumline in eighth grade.⁠[1]

Discography

No releases are documented yet.

Awards

Checked October 8, 2026; none found.

Other activity

  • He returned for the season finale and sang Sweet Thing with Chaka Khan.⁠[1]

Sources

4 sources

  1. JSU Student Overcomes Personal Obstacles to Showcase Talent on American Idol — Mississippi Free Press, published September 1, 2021, updated March 3, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (8)
    • Lead caption: “presently studies music technology and performance at Jackson State University”
    • Jackson State: “He plays sousaphone for the award-winning Sonic Boom marching band.”
    • After the show: “working with industry leaders to record his debut album”
    • Jackson State: “university’s famed Sonic Boom of the South.”
    • Jackson State: “Goncalves earned a full academic scholarship to JSU and is currently majoring in music technology and performance.”
    • Early music: “began singing in the church choir under his grandmother’s direction at 4 years old.”
    • School music: “He began playing the trumpet in sixth grade, learned the piano in seventh grade, and joined the school’s drumline by eighth grade.”
    • Finale: “he then returned for the season finale where he sang “Sweet Thing” alongside 10-time Grammy Award-winning artist Chaka Khan.”
  2. List of American Idol finalists — Wikipedia, updated June 10, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Contestants table, row DeShawn Goncalves: Season 19, Place finish 8th-10th
  3. American Idol season 19 — Wikipedia, updated July 21, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • Top 10 – Disney (May 2) table (Eliminated); Elimination chart, row Deshawn Goncalves: Pl. 8 (shared), Top 10 column (5/2)
  4. Music Journeys: Deshawn Goncalves Shines on American Idol — WCBE, published April 16, 2021. News report. Retrieved October 8, 2026.
    Cited parts (1)
    • School: “The 2019 East High School graduate also took part in the Fort Hayes-based Paragon Project, where students write and record their own songs.”

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