Rickey Eugene Smith was born on May 10, 1979 in Keene, Texas. He majored in Performance at Southwestern Adventist University. Before auditioning for the season 2 of American Idol, Rickey was working as a teacher. He started singing when he was only five years old, but began taking it more seriously when he was 18. He listens to all types of music, but is more inclined towards opera, wherein which he received training. His goal in life is to be the best possible person he can be and to be known as a man of God and family. He enjoys listening to Led Zeppelin, Brian McKnight and R. Kelly.

When Rickey auditioned for season 2 of American Idol, the judges were eager to put him through Hollywood and on to the semifinals. However, Rickey was not able to get enough votes to advance, and so he had no choice but to leave the show. Nevertheless, the judges must have seen something in him, as they placed him in the Top 12 as one of the six wild card picks. Among the songs that he performed in the finals are "It Might Be You," "I've Done Enough Dyin' Today," and "Let's Groove." Rickey was the fifth to be eliminated from the show after he sang "Endless Love" during Billboard #1 hits week.

Appearing on the show hasn't done much to jumpstart Rickey's musical career. He is still without a record contract, and is desperately trying hard to get signed on by any recording company. He sang back-up for Ruben Studdard, winner of American Idol, season 2, for a while, and tried out for the part of Benny in the musical Rent.

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