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Sarah Keenlyside

As American Idol prepares to return for its 23rd season, it’s easy to forget just how many careers the show has launched since 2002. Superstars including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Adam Lambert got their start on the programme – all born performers who, looking back, seemed destined to be famous.
But the fame of one contestant from those early days wasn’t so assured – that of pop lover William Hung.
As a 21-year-old, his singing failed to win over the judges so spectacularly that Simon Cowell called his performance “grotesque”. Yet he’s managed to turn his appearance into a singing career and widespread fame and affection regardless.
Here’s what you need to know about Hung’s showbiz journey and where he is now.
William Hung rose to fame with a Ricky Martin song


William Hung was studying civil engineering at the prestigious University of California, Berkeley, when he decided to take two days off in 2004 to audition for American Idol. But when he let rip on his favourite song – Ricky Martin’s “She Bangs” – his off-key rendition became an instant classic for all the wrong reasons.
“You can’t sing, you can’t dance, so what do you want me to say?” Cowell remarked cruelly afterwards. “I gave my best so I have no regrets at all,” was Hung’s endearing response.
He had a musical career – albeit an ironic one

As noted by NBC last year, Hung’s brief appearance and post-performance poise was enough to rocket him to stardom. Not only was he parodied on Saturday Night Live, he also sang on several talk shows and at sports events. He even signed a recording deal with Fuse Music Network and Koch Records.












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A post shared by William Hung (@williamhungofficial)



“He may not be the next American Idol, but he is definitely a star and inspiration to everyone who sings in the shower,” Fuse president Marc Juris said at the time.


Hung’s album, Inspiration, sold 200,000 copies and peaked at number 34 in the Billboard Top 200 – and yes, he even performed “She Bangs” with Ricky Martin himself in Las Vegas in 2018.
He’s from Hong Kong

Hung, an only child, was born in Hong Kong and grew up on the Lek Yuen Estate in Sha Tin before he moved to Los Angeles at the age of 11. During his Idol audition, Hung noted that his parents were big karaoke fans, but that they wouldn’t have been too happy to hear he was missing classes to try out for the show.
Who is William Hung’s wife?

Hung is married to Hannah Du, his third wife. Before his 2023 marriage to Du, he was married to Jian Teng, per People magazine. Hung admitted that his relationship with Teng broke down because he had a gambling addiction, which developed when he became a professional poker player. He later overcame the problem.

“Both times [my marriages] didn’t work out, so it was very painful, both financially and emotionally,” he admitted during a YouTube interview in 2019. He then recruited dating coach Ruby Le – who calls herself the “Asian Female Hitch” after the 2005 film Hitch, starring Will Smith and Eva Mendes – to help him. Before long, he found Du.
Where is William Hung now?

Hung has talked about the fact that the adverts and TV appearances began to dry up after about four years. “Over time, the hype died down,” he wrote on personal-story platform Our Life Logs. “As fewer opportunities came in, I decided to go back to school and finish my degree,” he added. “After that, I willingly hung up my entertainment hat and put on a new one: crime analyst in the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.”

In April last year, Hung was promoted to senior statistical analyst, also announcing on his Instagram page that not only would he continue performing, but that he was studying to become an actuary. He has also launched his own website to help people “unlock the potential that’s hiding in [their] data”.


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William Hung found unlikely fame after his appearance on talent show American Idol. Photo: @williamhungofficial/Instagram

William Hung made his name singing a karaoke classic. Photo: @williamhungofficial/Instagram 

William Hung was born in Hong Kong. Photo: @williamhungofficial/Instagram

William Hung is married to Hannah Du, his third wife. Photo: @williamhungofficial/Instagram

William Hung developed a gambling addiction during his second marriage. Photo: @bicyclecasino/Instagram 

William Hung has hung up his entertainment hat – mostly. Photo: @williamhungofficial/Instagram

William Hung and his wife Hannah Du. Photo: @williamhungofficial/Instagram

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