WALTHAM, MA– American Idol finalist Sonika Vaid will receive the Youth Award at New England Choice Awards on Friday, Oct. 27, at Westin Hotel in Waltham, MA.

Massachusetts-native Vaid finished in 5th place on the 15th Season of American Idol. She is of Indian descent and her parents immigrated to the U.S. when she was a child. She began singing at the age of three.

Sonika Vaid

Ms. Vaid graduated from Weston High School in 2013. Prior to entering Idol, she was studying biology and a regular performer at a local park near her home for special events.  Vaid sang “Look at Me” by Carrie Underwood at her audition in Denver, Colorado and received high praises from the American judges, earning a golden ticket to Hollywood. Since American Idol, Vaid has opened at festivals and concerts across Massachusetts, and sang the opening National Anthem at a Red Sox game in Fenway Park.

Vaid had won the hearts of many judges and the Indian American community across the United States and overseas when American Idol competition began last year.

In an exclusive video interview with Dreamcatchers last year, Vaid talked to Dr. Manju Sheth about her journey to American Idol, her family, lessons from American Idol participation, her advice for aspiring singers and her own future plans. To watch the interview, please click here or on the link below: