Sanjaya Malakar

'Idol' Music Director: 'Sanjaya Can Win'

Many people think "American Idol" lightning-rod Sanjaya Malakar should've been gone weeks ago.

But don't tell that to the show's musical director, Ricky Minor.

"You know what? I think that he could win the show," Minor told The Post yesterday.

"He's gotten this far because he really is what he is - he's got this huge smile, he's a handsome guy and is really likable.

"People are pulling for him - and people really care about him."

Malakar, the 17-year-old from Washington, has polarized "Idol" viewers with his affect, his strange hairdos (including his much-talked-about "fauxhawk") and his questionable singing talent.

"I can tell you he can sing," says Minor, now in his third season as "Idol" musical director. "I think there are people who are naysayers, but I've run into a lot of credible people who really enjoy his voice.

"He has a connection to the lyrics and people are pleasantly surprised.

"This isn't a singing competition alone. It's for a star to emerge," he says. "Sanjaya has a huge likability factor. I think it's possible for him to win based on the way he's moving through the competition. "

Minor hires and conducts the "Idol" band, decides musical arrangements and interacts one-on-one with the finalists "if someone wants to talk about something personal," he says.

Eight finalists remain going into tonight's elimination show.

"In the beginning they were all having a hard time because they started reading the blogs and the junk people were saying about them," Minor says.

"I told them, 'Don't read [the blogs]. Believe in what you're doing and work hard on your craft.' "