19 Facts About Anoop Desai

Anoop Manoj Desai was born on December 20,1986 and is an American singer-songwriter and actor.

Anoop Desai began his career as the sixth place finisher on the eighth season of American Idol, after which he began writing and performing music under the pseudonym TOTEM.

Since 2020, Desai has devoted his time to acting, most notably as The Djinn on the fourth and fifth seasons of What We Do In the Shadows.

Anoop Desai was born in Cary, North Carolina and grew up in Cary.

Anoop Desai's family moved to nearby Chapel Hill in 1998.

Anoop Desai attended Carnage Middle School and Phillips Middle School, then later went on to attend East Chapel Hill High School, graduating in 2004.

Anoop Desai was awarded a four-year academic merit scholarship to attend the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and was the Haywood W Hinkle Carolina scholar from 2004 to 2008.

Anoop Desai served as the group's music director during his junior year and as the group's president his senior year.

Anoop Desai graduated from UNC in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and American studies.

Anoop Desai rose to national fame with his participation in the eighth season of American Idol.

Anoop Desai returned for the season finale to perform "I'm Yours" with fellow Idol contestant Alexis Grace and singer Jason Mraz.

In 2010, Anoop Desai released his first solo single, "My Name," and his debut album, All Is Fair.

Anoop Desai's music, including the singles "Bubblegum" and "Aftertaste," combined with music he has written for other artists, have been streamed tens of millions of times.

In 2018, Anoop Desai was offered a role in the developmental Lab of the then Broadway-bound production of The Secret Garden.

In 2019, Anoop Desai made his Off-Broadway debut at MCC Theater in the world-premiere of The Wrong Man, a musical written by fellow pop songwriter Ross Golan.

In 2020, Anoop Desai made his professional on-screen debut on the fifth season of Billions.

In 2021, Anoop Desai began portraying the Djinn in the fourth season of What We Do in the Shadows to wide acclaim.

Anoop Desai is next expected to play a major role as Raj Masihajjar in Under the Bridge.

In 2023, Anoop Desai made his feature film debut in The Adults.