William Hung

Like Charles Atlas before him, William Hung is an example of American spirit and tenacity, someone who can turn his weaknesses into an inexplicable strength that won over the hearts of millions of viewers who first fell in love with him on Fox's hit television show American Idol.



Prior to his 15 minutes of fame, Hung was an engineering student at the University of California-Berkeley who won over his classmates and fellow dorm residents at a university talent show. Ripe with confidence and a set of vocal cords to match, Hung auditioned in 2003 for American Idol, performing Ricky Martin's "She Bangs" and inadvertently invented new notes on the music scale in the process. His performance was greeted with predictable sneers from resident curmudgeon Simon Cowell, motherly support from Paula Abdul, and stifled laughter from Randy Jackson, who had no right to laugh considering he made his own career flourish as the former spandex-pants-wearing bass player in Journey.

Read More