Ace Young is an American singer, songwriter and actor. He gained national recognition while appearing on the fifth season of “American Idol.” Young is married to “American Idol” season three runner up, Diana DeGarmo. Take a look below for 26 more interesting and awesome facts about Ace Young.

1. Young was raised in Boulder, Colorado, and is the youngest of five sons.

2. He began writing songs, singing and taking voice lessons at the age of 9.

3. In his youth, he performed at shopping malls and recreation centers.

4. He performed at various venues in Colorado and other western states, including performing the National Anthem at The Pepsi Center in Denver.

5. Young graduated from Fairview High School in Boulder, Colorado, in 1999.

6. While in high school, he participated in athletics, choir and International Baccalaureate classes. He earned the rank of Eagle Scout during his senior year.

7. After Young graduated from high school, he wrote a song called “Reason I Live” that was featured on the soundtrack of the 2000 film “The Little Vampire.”

8. In 2001, Young moved to Los Angeles, California, to continue pursuing his music career.

9. He ultimately met Brian McKnight and was given the chance to open for McKnight and New Edition.

10. Just proper to auditioning for “American Idol” he landed a guest starring role in an episode of “Half & Half”, playing a character named Ace Blackwell.

11. After over four years in Los Angeles without a record deal, Young audition for “American Idol” in Denver, Colorado.

12. His televised audition featured him singing Westlife’s “Swear It Again.”

13. Young was introduced as Brett Young, with the name “Ace” marked in quotations. Later, he told producers that he preferred to be called Ace and he was not referred to as Brett on the show again.

14. Young made it through Hollywood week and sang George Michael’s song “Father Figure” for his live Top 24 performance.

15. He also performed Michael Jackson’s song “Butterflies.”

16. The week that featured the music of Queen and the surviving members of the band as mentors, there was a brief controversy.

17. “American Idol’s” editing of Young’s pre-performance package made it appear as if he had offended Brian May and the rest of the band by suggesting a change in the arrangement of “We Will Rock You.”

18. May came to Young’s defense a few days later when he wrote a blog clarifying that he and the band felt their mentoring session was a productive exchange of ideas for the arrangement of the song.

19. The week Young was eliminated, the theme was “Songs from the Great American Songbook,” with Rod Stewart as mentor.

20. Young sang “That’s All.” He changed his look for this performance, slicking his hair back and dressing up in a suit and tie.

21. He received mixed reviews from the judges and was joined by Chris Daughtry and Paris Bennett in the bottom 3.

22. Young lives in Nashville, Tennessee with his wife, Diana DeGarmo.

23. The couple met in 2010 while appearing in “Hair” on Broadway.

24. They got engaged on the May 23, 2012, “American Idol” season finale when Young surprised DeGarmo with an on-air marriage proposal.

25. Young and DeGarmo were married on June 1, 2013, in Los Angeles at the Luxe Sunset Boulevard hotel.

26. Young was previously engaged in 2009 to actress Allison Fischer.