Alejandro Aranda

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Alejandro Aranda (born August 11, 1994), formerly known by his stage name Scarypoolparty, is an American musician and reality television personality from Pomona, California. He was the runner-up on the seventeenth season of American Idol. Aranda's debut album, Exit Form, was released on November 22, 2019. His second album, Doom Hologram, was released on September 4, 2020. His first EP, L.A., was released in 2021. Aranda's third album, The Act of Forgiveness, was released in 2021.

Aranda was born on August 11, 1994, in Pomona, California.

Aranda has said that his musical influences include classical composers Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Sebastian Bach and Frédéric Chopin, along with contemporary artists such as Dead Can Dance, Nine Inch Nails, Trent Reznor, and Slipknot.^[3][4]

In 2017, Aranda won Artist of the Year with CSUN and Five of Five Entertainment. It was from here that he started gaining traction in the music industry.^[5]

His American Idol audition was aired March 6, 2019. Aranda is the only contestant to play seven original songs in the show's history, even though producers encouraged him to play cover versions of other musicians' music.^[6]

He received a private audition through someone who attended a backyard concert that he performed, and on April 6, 2019, he auditioned for the seventeenth season of American Idol in Los Angeles. Aranda performed two original songs, "Out Loud" and "Cholo Love." Luke Bryan said, "I just feel like I'm in the presence of greatness." and "It was like watching my favorite movie that I did not want to end." Katy Perry said, "Okay Alejandro, I think you're the winner. I think you're really special. I think you're an absolute genius."^[3]

His audition video was released on February 6, 2019, and as of August 2019, it had reached 14 million YouTube views.^[7] On March 16, 2019, Stevie Nicks wrote on Instagram a prophecy saying he will "perform across great stages of the world" and "...let me welcome you to the grand stage that will be your home for the rest of your extraordinary life."

Aranda performed seven different original songs.^[8][9] He played "10 Years" in Hollywood Week and in the finale with an orchestra, making him the only contestant to perform four original songs in the finale of the show.^[10]

During the Hometown Heroes Concert in Pomona, California, the mayor of Pomona declared May 19, 2019 "Alejandro Aranda Day."^[11] Following American Idol, Aranda went on a seven-date United States tour in July 2019.^[12] Tickets went on sale on the morning of May 23, every show sold out in under 15 minutes.^[13] American Idol judge Katy Perry jokingly begged Aranda to be a "roadie" on her tour.^[12]

Aranda performed a free concert in Nashville, Tennessee on July 3, joined by Bizz & Everyday People.^[9] He met Darren King at the Nashville show and being a long-time fan of MuteMath, it was an opportunity to play on the road with King and his wife, Sucre, during the 2019 Fall Tour.^{[citation needed]}

He released the single, "Tonight," under the name Scarypoolparty on June 28, 2019, after signing with Hollywood Records. The song was co-written and co-produced by Twin Shadow.^[14][15] "Tonight" was performed on American Idol during the auditions as well as April 15, 2019 during the top 14 results show. On August 7, 2019, he released the song, "Cholo Love". The song was played during the audition and during the Wildcard Episode on April 15, 2019. He wrote and produced this song for Exit Form with his friend and mentor Twin Shadow.^[16]

Aranda went on a 29 stop fall tour from October 10 to November 22,^[17] and performed at several music festivals, including Lollapalooza in Chicago on August 3, 2019,^[18] Life Is Beautiful Music & Art Festival in September 2019^[19] and Austin City Limits Music Festival in October 2019.^[20]

Aranda released the single, "Diamonds," on October 4, 2019, along with a YouTube video and behind the scenes video. It was the stage for upcoming albums and a separation from the Idol image that was created and often in conflict with his emerging Scarypoolparty alter ego.^[21] Exit Form, his debut album, was released on November 22, 2019.^[22] He was featured on Lollapalooza's 2020 online festival, which showed previously recorded concert sets.^[23]

On March 2, 2021, he released a collaborative single with Nothing,Nowhere under the stage name Scarypoolparty.^[24] The song was a precursor to the EP, Los Angeles, which was released on March 26.

On August 27, 2021, Aranda released a 21-song album, The Act of Forgiveness. He collaborated with composer Rob Mathes on an 18-piece orchestra, adding orchestral arrangements on 12 of the album's tracks.^[25] The Beautiful Liar Tour with X Ambassadors and Taylor Janzen began on October 15, 2021.^[26] He performed six to seven songs at each show on the United States leg. Janzen opened the shows, Scarypoolparty followed, and X Ambassadors were the main act.^[27]

In April 2024, Aranda joined a band known as Seven Hours After Violet, which was announced in an Instagram post by the band.^[28] He was also featured on the single ”Forever” by American deathcore band Left to Suffer.

In an interview with Launch Left, Aranda talked about his family and the fact that he was not close to them. He is extremely private and there are not many details available about his private life.^[29]