Simplify the following text for a Grade 10 native English-speaking person.
Original: Melinda Marie Doolittle ( born October 6 , 1977 ) is an American singer who finished as the third place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol .
Simplified: Melinda Marie Doolittle ( born October 6 , 1977 ) is an American singer , best known for being the third-place finalist on American Idol .