Francisco Martin biography: 13 things about ‘American Idol’ Season 18 finalist

Francisco Martin is a Filipino-American singer, songwriter, guitarist and drummer. He finished in the Top 5 in the 18th season of the ABC singing reality show “American Idol.”

Hosted by Ryan Seacrest, “American Idol” Season 18 aired on ABC from February 16, 2020 to May 17, 2020 with Katy Perry, Luke Bryan and Lionel Richie as the judges. Because of the new coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the latter episodes of the show featured Martin and his fellow contestants filming from their homes.

Before “American Idol” Season 18, Martin once performed on drums with The Aura covering “Buwan” by JK Labajo. He is the drummer and one of the vocalists of The Aura, a San Francisco-based Filipino band founded and managed by his father.

While Martin was a pre-law college student at College of San Mateo in San Mateo, California, United States, he auditioned for “American Idol” Season 18 in Sunriver, Oregon, USA where he sang “Alaska” by Maggie Roberts, who took to social media to express her support for him. He sang his original song “Lover” in the solo round in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.

Martin was born in San Francisco to Filipino parents Jon Dijamco Martin and Fatima Martin, a wound care clinical nurse specialist and a clinical adjunct professor. Francisco has an older brother named Kiko Martin and a younger sister named Francesca Martin.

Francisco is 5’10” tall. Here are 13 more things about him:

1. In 2010, his father bought him his first drum set.
2. On May 27, 2020, he performed “Alaska” again in the “American Idol” Season 18 finale along with “Adore You” by Harry Styles.
3. On October 9, 2020, 19 Recordings released his single “Swollen”.
4. On February 5, 2021, 19 Recordings released his single “Wild Girl”.
5. On May 7, 2021, 19 Recordings released his extended play “Beautiful Ramblings of a Restless Mind”.
6. On October 15, 2021, 19 Recordings released his single “If U Need Me”.
7. On April 30, 2022, he performed during the Miss Universe Philippines 2022 coronation night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City, Metro Manila, Philippines.
8. On June 29, 2022, 19 Recordings released his single “Hate You to Love Myself”
9. On August 26, 2022, 19 Recordings released his EP “Manic”.
10. On July 7, 2023, 19 Recordings released his EP “Breakfast for Dinner”.
11. On December 1, 2023, 19 Recordings released his single “Evil Eye”.
12. On January 10, 2024, he turned 23.
13. On February 15, 2024, he released his single “Jekyll N Hyde”.