Mumbai: Jyotirmayee Nayak has become a household name with people in Odisha keenly following the singer’s journey on the popular reality show, Indian Idol.
After impressing in auditions against lakhs of aspiring singers, she managed to secure a spot in the coveted Top 11 in the 16th edition of the reality show, putting the spotlight back on the state after Ananya Sritam Nanda’s Indian Idol-Junior win.
Week after week, Jyotirmayee has been earning praises from judges and audiences alike for her versatility, emotional depth and ability to connect with songs across genres. Legendary actor Mithun Chakraborty presented her with a commemorative plaque for her energetic performance on the retro hit ‘Jawaani Jaan-e-man Haseen Dilruba’ during ‘Golden Hits of Bappi Lahiri’ special. Rapper Badshah dramatically smashed the speaker, staying true to hip-hop culture, on her ‘Sohni Meri Sohni’ performance.
Clips of her performances and interviews are going viral, further cementing her position as one of the
standout contestants of the season. Judge Vishal Dadlani also described her as one of the star performers of the season.
In a recent interview with a local news channel, she addressed a question that has long intrigued audiences: Is everything on Indian Idol scripted? “The show follows a well-planned structure to ensure everything runs smoothly, but the contestants’ emotions, challenges, and performances are 100% authentic,” she said, offering a rare glimpse into the backstage dynamics.
The thing that makes this show extra special for her is getting the chance to perform right in front of her idol, Shreya Ghoshal. “For me, it’s like living the gurukul way. We are learning directly from legends, and I can feel myself growing as a singer every day,” said the BTech graduate.
The Bhubaneswar girl is a known face in the Odisha music industry. Jyotirmayee dubbed an Odia song with well-known Bollywood singer Shaan in 2019, ‘Mu Astabyasta’, an anecdote which she shared when the singer judged one of the episodes of the show. She previously worked as a music therapist for cancer patients receiving palliative care at a private hospital in the city, where she would soulfully sing bhajans in praise of Lord Jagannath and perform other songs based on the patients’ requests.
Her journey from healing hearts in hospitals to winning them over on live television continues to inspire audiences nationwide.