Jared Cotter

Jared Lincoln Cotter (born June 17, 1981) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and model. He was a contestant on the sixth season of American Idol, and co-wrote Jay Sean's 2009 single "Down", which peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.

Cotter has written songs for Carl Thomas, Joe, and Jay Sean.

Biography Born and raised on Long Island, Cotter grew up in a family of musicians. Cotter's great grandfather, James Reese Europe, was the first African American jazz player to perform at Carnegie Hall. Cotter's father, Robert Cotter, played in the late 1970s with Nile Rodgers and the late Bernard Edwards of the Big Apple Band, later known as Chic.

Cotter's recording career began when he was 15. He performed and released music as JL Cotter, and co-wrote songs such as "Make U Cry", "My Girl", "She Likes It" and the Notorious B.I.G inspired "Somebody's Gotta Go".

In 2004, he graduated from Five Towns College.

In 2005, he independently released "The Album Before the Album".

In 2007, he reached the semi-final stage of American Idol season 6. including the number one song, "Down", which was the seventh-best selling single of 2009. In April 2010, he received an ASCAP award as a writer for one of the "Most Performed Songs" of the year.

Immediately after American Idol, in June 2007, Cotter joined as co-host for a daily show The Sauce on the television network Fuse TV.

He also hosted Fuse's No. 1 Countdown: Pop where he presented videos and conducted interviews.

He has also worked for Fox TV’s Good Day New York as a weekly correspondent during later seasons of American Idol.

He was the host of The Challenge, a New York metropolitan area high school student quiz show on MSG Varsity internet service.

In January 2017, he joined "The List" as co-host.

As of early 2024, Cotter was the talent manager for Paul Russell and was Shaboozey's co-talent manager. He was promoted to partner at Range Music.

Also in 2024, he started record label 3AM Entertainment with Jay Sean and Jeremy Skaller.

Influences Cotter has cited Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Brian McKnight as influences.

Personal life Cotter began dating Canadian singer-songwriter Melanie Fiona in 2013. On March 14, 2016, their first child was born. On Valentine's Day 2018, the couple became engaged. Originally they planned to marry on Amalfi Coast, Italy; but the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to postpone their wedding three times. The couple eloped on December 12, 2020 in Los Angeles. They welcomed a daughter in December 2021.

Discography Album Title Album details The Album Before the Album Release date: April 21, 2005 Label: On The Grind Entertainment Format: CD, digital download

Extended plays Title Album details You Me Forever 2011 "Finding Me" ft. Drew Ryan Scott 2012 "Mo'Thangs" 2014 "You Me Forever"

Charted songs with song-writing credits Single Year Billboard Hot 100"Down" 2009 1"Do You Remember" 201010"2012 (It Ain't the End)" 201031"Hit the Lights"201118"Where Them Girls At"201114

As featured artist Song Year AlbumStuck in the Middle 2009 All or Nothing

American Idol performances