Who is Michael Lynche?

(MYFOX NATIONAL) - Even if Michael Lynche never makes it to the top on this season's "American Idol," he's still got plenty to celebrate. Lynche, a 26-year-old singer from St. Petersburg, Fla., became a father to a baby girl on the day of his audition, The Hollywood Gossip reported.

Balancing new fatherhood with new-found fame as one of the Top 24 "Idol" semifinalists is a lot to juggle, but Lynche is used to juggling major life experiences.

Teachers from Pinellas County Center for the Arts magnet at Gibbs High School, where he graduated in 2001, say Lynche was equally at home on the football field, in the classroom and on the stage. 

Lynche earned more than praise for his gridiron prowess, attending the University of Central Florida on a full academic and athletic scholarship before dropping out to help care for his ailing mother, Michele, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2004, reported the St. Petersburg Times .

"I've sat on the couch for years watching it, wondering if I had what it takes. So here I am proving that I have what it takes," Lynche, a native of Astoria, N.Y., said of "American Idol" according to About.com .

And members of the Lynche family are no strangers to the "American Idol" phenomenon.  Older brother Marque Jr. was eliminated from the show just before reaching the Top 12 in 2004, the Times reported.

Classically trained, Lynche counts Lauren Hill, Jimi Hendrix, Al Green and Maxwell among his musical influences, according to his profile on American Idol .

Rumors were swirling about whether the singer was kicked off the show because of a media leak because his father broke confidentiality rules. The Orlando Sentinel reports that Lynche is still on the show and will perform.

Odds, naysayers and huge challenges are not a source of concern for this "American Idol" hopeful, who follows the encouraging motto: "Facts don't count when you have a dream," according to About.com .

Look for Lynche to back up that statement as this "singing teddy bear" overcomes a difficult past to find hopefully success on the "Idol" stage.

"American Idol" Season Nine Contestant Profiles:

Didi Benami | Lacey Brown | Crystal Bowersox | Michelle Delamor | Lee DeWyze | Katelyn Epperly | Andrew Garcia | Tyler Grady | Todrick Hall | Casey James | Aaron Kelly | Alex Lambert | Michael Lynche | Siobhan Magnus | Paige Miles | Jose Munoz | John Park | Ashley Rodriguez | Lilly Scott | Jermaine Sellers | Katie Stevens | Tim Urban | Haeley Vaughn | Janell Wheeler