Michael Lynche

Michael Lynche
Michael Lynche in July 2010.
Background information
Birth name	Michael Alexander Lynche
Also known as	Big Mike
Born	(1983-05-31) May 31, 1983 (age 33)
Origin	Saint Petersburg, Florida, United States
Genres	R&B, pop
Occupation(s)	Singer
Instruments	Vocals, guitar
Years active	2009–present
Labels	Big3 Records

Michael Alexander Lynche (born May 31, 1983) is an American singer from St. Petersburg, Florida who was the fourth place finalist on the ninth season of American Idol. He is the second finalist ever to receive the judges' save, which was introduced in season eight.

Lynche was born to Michele and Marque Lynche, Sr. His older brother Marque Jr. was a semi-finalist in season three but did not make it to the top 12. Marque died on December 6, 2015. His musical influences are Lauryn Hill, Maxwell and Al Green.

Before Idol, Lynche was a football player at Gibbs High School and the University of Central Florida. He played two seasons at University of Central Florida and later dropped out in 2003 to take care of his ailing mother. His mother died the following year of pancreatic cancer.

Lynche auditioned in Orlando, Florida on July 9, 2009. He sang Unchained Melody by Alex North to all four judges, including guest judge Kristin Chenoweth.

During Hollywood Week, Lynche received news via telephone that his wife, Christa, had gone into labor and given birth to his daughter Laila Rose. A week after Hollywood Week taping ended, his father revealed to a local newspaper that his son had made it into American Idol's Top 24, thus violating a confidentiality agreement with the show. Fox declined to comment on the report.

Since Lynche was among the top 10 finalists, he was part of the American Idol 2010 summer tour.