Star Exclusive: Syesha Mercado's Hard-Knock Life

It's a long way from a sometimes homeless childhood to TV super-stardom — yet that's the road American Idol beauty Syesha Mercado had to travel on her way to becoming one of the top 10 finalists of Season 7! But the Miami resident's megawatt smile is not just a reflection of her singing success: Her once troubled parents, Jose and Zelda Mercado, are in a better place — and closer — than they've been in years!

Early this season, Syesha, 21, and dad Jose, 50, appeared on Idol and discussed his drug and alcohol addictions — "I remember him being in and out of my life," she has said — and they happily reported that he'd recently completed a rehab program. Now Jose and Zelda, 50, cheer their daughter on together from the show's live audience, and one of Syesha's three sisters tells Star she deserves the applause as much for her strength in overcoming her family's fractured and hard-luck past as for her vocal talent.

"The things you go through make you a better person. And if Syesha didn't go through the things she did, she wouldn't be as strong as she is now," her sister Xtavia Bailey, 28, tells Star in an exclusive interview. "We've been through so much, from being evicted to living in cars in zero-degree weather in Connecticut to changing our clothes at gas stations. That was our childhood."

Born in Connecticut in 1987, Syesha and her family moved to Bradenton, Fla., in the early '90s — and dad Jose's problems heated up along with the weather.

Florida criminal records show that Jose was arrested at least six times since 1993, received felony convictions for assault, attempted purchase and possession of cocaine and selling marijuana, and spent time in the Manatee County Jail.

Mom Zelda, whose past as a professional background vocalist inspired Syesha to become a singer, says Xtavia, struggled to keep the family together but also had her share of missteps. She had three arrests in Florida since 1993 and was convicted on a felony count of welfare fraud in 1995.

A recovering drug addict and alcoholic, Jose spent time in Florida's Manatee County Jail after a 2005 arrest for attempting to purchase cocaine.	Zelda went to the same facility after an arrest in 2000 on a probation violation.

"My mom had to deal with so much," says Xtavia. "Nobody's perfect; she tried her best. I don't blame her at all." Because she is the oldest of four sisters, "when my mom had to deal with those things, I had to take care of my sisters," says Xtavia. "I worked nights, got them up in the morning, took them to school and cooked the food."

When Syesha was 9, she was accepted into a local program for low-income kids called Take Stock in Children, which guaranteed her a free college education if she stayed out of trouble and eventually finished high school.

"Despite all our problems, she stayed positive, stayed out of trouble and got her education," Xtavia says of her sister Syesha, who studied theater at Florida International University in Miami. And with her success on Idol — plus her father's sobriety — the future has never been so promising for Syesha and her family.

"She's blossomed into a wonderful young adult, and I'm extremely proud of her," Xtavia tells Star. "I think Syesha could be an inspiration and a role model for anyone!"

Do you think Syesha will be the big winner on Idol? Weigh in below.

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Syesha! Syesha! Syesha! Hang in there gurlfriend and the world will be calling out your name. The three finalists were ALL deserving to be the American Idol. You have the support of MILLIONS - so go for it!! -- gvanessa I love Syesha soooo much I'm glad she's in the top three I know no matter what she will be a star just remember to stay humble and you will go far. -- Anonymous I do not know if she will win Idol, but I commend her for her achievements after reading such a sad family story. I wish her all the best in life. -- Tina You go Syyasha... Do the things people can only dream of, and give us growing girls ( in sarasota) a good role model to follow in todays fast growing communities. -- Anonoymous yes, the girl can sang....if not she would be a beautiful top model -- Renelle Freeman Well its good to hear her life has taken a change for the better. I hope she continues to make progress in her music career and you never know, she can be next Keyshia Cole. -- Grown N Sexy She may not be the next America Idol, but for all of us in Sarasota and Bradenton she our Idol and I know she'll go far. Remember Syesha what God has for you it is truly for you.And I'll keep voting! -- Mrs.Tajuana Green I can confirm that Syesha was the very first recipient of a Take Stock In Children scholarship in Manatee County. At 9 years old, her goals then were to go to college and become a professional gospel singer. Even at that young age, she had the "it" factor that was impressed upon everyone who met her. We all knew she was a superstar in the making... -- Former reporter in Bradenton Syesha, Keep up the good work! Just make it to the top 5 and you are home free, baby! Remember opinions are like assholes, everybody has one! Keep your faith in God and maintain. People will talk rather you are doing good or bad. So, do NOT let this foolishness stop you. No one is perfect and all that matters is that your parents are there now to support you! Do your thing! -- kiki Syeshia, this is from your cousin you have a beautiful and strong voice, keep up the good work, in spite of what people say, stay strong it's a lot of talent there on American Idol and guess what? you are one of them. I will be following you to the end. -- Ena Redden Go to comments page: 1 2 3 4