Gordon was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, the same city as her American Idol audition. Her mother, Victoria Cavaricci, is Italian American, and her father, Rocky Gordon, is Jewish. Gordon was raised Catholic and attended St. Francis de Sales Roman Catholic School from 3rd to 8th grade. During her formative years Gordon regularly performed on stage with her father, a jazz musician who mentored his daughter, attempting to improve her versatility. Before American Idol, she was with the Helen Joy Young Entertainers, sang at the White House, and worked at an oxygen bar.