Eva Avila

Eva Avila ranks among the numerous young vocalists propelled into prominence by the reality television craze that swept the early 2000s. She entered the world in Ottawa, Ontario, on February 25, 1987, and first appeared before audiences at the age of two. By nine she had secured first place on Homegrown Café, the well-regarded radio talent program aired by CJOH, and she also captured the Jeune Diva du Quebec title around the same period. Despite these early successes, she held positions as a postal clerk and beauty consultant until early 2006, when she earned a spot on the fourth season of Canadian Idol, the domestic adaptation of the worldwide Pop Idol franchise. Her striking appearance helped make her a viewer favorite, and she advanced all the way to the September 11 finale; the following day she disclosed her relationship with fellow contestant Chad Doucette. On September 16 she was crowned the season’s winner, inking a deal with Sony BMG within hours and sending her first single, “Meant to Fly,” to the top of the Canadian charts. The full-length release Somewhere Else reached stores before the year concluded.