When Gurpreet Singh Sarin, a young sikh of 22 years, student of Maryland university in 2013, appeared
before 4 American Judges for an audition for American Idol program, they appeared to be skeptical about
his sikh appearance with full blown beard and a colorful turban on his head. He himself said “I knew that
people wouldn’t necessarily know how to interact with me because of my appearance.” Moreover, he was
brought up in Gursikh atmosphere and had a musical background in indian classical and devotional music.
So nobody expected him that he will sing Justin Bieber and John Legend songs. However, when he answered
the questions with full confidence and sang western songs, he impressed the judges and they selected him
for the talent competition. In the course of competition many people passed adverse comments, even calling
him Obama. Gurpreet admitted that there were negative comments on his appearance, but he did not
bother. “I was so focused on getting further in the competition that I didn’t pay attention,” Sarin said. When
he gave his first public performance on the stage there was an audience of millions. He sang Ray Charles
“Georgia on my mind”. This performance made him so popular that he became talk of the people. People
were amazed to see a turbaned and bearded boy singing such songs with such perfection. The turbonator as
he is known, created history for becoming first sikh contestant in this American Idol Session 12 program.
Although Gurpreet missed a spot in the finals of this reality show, but his wonderful performances took him
so ahead that many people started copying him in turban and beard style. Gurpreet is definitely a role model
as he displayed confidence and determination and opened way to such program for his co-religionists. Since
then he has been performing in many personal and public functions and inspiring a large number of other
people.