Gordon was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, which is the same city she auditioned in. She currently lives in Los Angeles, California. Her father is a Jewish American and her mother is Italian American. Before Idol, she was with the Helen Joy Young Entertainers, sang at the White House, and worked at an oxygen bar.

Mikalah went to St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic School from 3rd to 8th grade.

Gordon honed her craft during her early years singing by performing several times on stage with her father, jazz musician Rocky Gordon, who was a great mentor, teaching her standards as well as helping to fine tune her voice for all genres.

Gordon was eliminated during "Billboard #1 Hits" week, on the March 24 show. This was also the week when the show mixed up the voting numbers for three of the Top 11 contestants, Anwar Robinson, Jessica Sierra and Gordon herself. Her last song on the show was a rendition of "Love Will Lead You Back" by Taylor Dayne. She came back as a host for the pre-show on the series finale of American Idol Season 4 and also sang during the finale in the beginning medley of The Beach Boys songs and later sang in the program with another Idol finalist Lindsey Cardinale and singer Babyface.

Gordon is often compared to actress Fran Drescher. Paula Abdul made a remark that she would be a perfect candidate for playing Fran Drescher's niece because of her bubbly and loud personality. She has also said that she is a fan of singers Barbra Streisand and Bette Midler. When she was voted off, she appeared on the Tony Danza Show as well as many other TV shows.

Gordon landed a guest-starring role on Fran Drescher's new sitcom, Living with Fran. She played Fran's cousin Brianna, a Broadway singer.

On the February 24, 2006 episode of The Tyra Banks Show, Tyra Banks was so impressed by Mikalah on the Makeover surprises, that she hired her as a Tyra Show correspondent.

Mikalah is also the Co-Host of American Idol Extra. A behind the scenes look at American Idol after the taping each week.

Mikalah is currently recording an album that is still in the conceptual stages.

Mikalah recently affirmed that she is in fact a virgin, denying ugly rumors that had spread across the internet about her sexuality. She also released a letter to a blogger stating that much of her experience with American Idol had been under a cloud of severe depression. The letter is posted on her website. Mikalah has stated that she hopes to be an inspiration to young people who deal with depression and life issues.

On August 23, 2006, Mikalah was assaulted in Las Vegas during a robbery at gunpoint at 3:30 a.m near Nellis Boulevard and Washington Avenue. Her mother, Victoria Cavaricci, said "Police said she's so lucky she's alive." Mikalah returns for a new season of The Tyra Banks Show Sept. 26th. In summer 2006 Mikalah started a recording project with Randy Jackson. Release date TBA.

She appeared on the hit CBS show The Unit as a spoiled pop star. She recorded many songs including "Baby" which was her first top 10 hit on Idol Waves.

She went on to compete with fellow pop icons for a country music deal on CMT's Gone Country 2 but failed to win as Sabastian Bach took home the contract. She released a hit single Your Ugly When Your Drunk as performed on Gone Country 2.

In 2008 it was announced that Mikalah would join fellow Idol alums including close friend Blake Lewis on the Idol Mania Tour. Only one date has been announced but the website states more dates will be added in January!

Mikalah announced in a blog on her official Myspace page that though she loves hosting and acting music is her passion and thats where shes focused right now. Mikalah has yet to announce the signing of a major record deal.

In Jan Mikalah celebrated her 21rst birthday at a star studded party at Mood Nightclub in Las Angeles, California. She then again held another party at famous nightclub Tabu which is located in the world famous MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

In 2009 at the launch for the video game Samuri Joe, Mikalah told the press that she is working on a new reality show for the same production company that produces Gone Country and many other CMT based shows. The show is still in pre production and has yet to be pitched. Mikalah has also stated in a interview back in November of 2008 that she had given up on country and is trying to find her way in the rock genre of music staing that "I am currently working on a rock album".

Mikalah also made headlines again in Jan 2009 for criticizing Idol for allowing Adam Lambert to stay on the show as a contestant and disqualifying Joanne Pacitti. Adam Lambert had a starring role on broadway in the hit show "Wicked". Mikalah claimed that Lambert was going into the show with a fan base set already. Idol Producers replied saying "Pacitti was elminated for her connections with 19 Entertainment...Who produce Idol". Mikalah then went on to retract her statement stating she is pulling for Adam to win.

In March of 2009 American Idol Rewind Season 4, the syndicated version of american idol, premiered. The show features never before seen interviews with Mikalah about her song choice, getting eliminated, and the media attention.