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| Changes from past seasons | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2>
Prior to the start of season 7, Executive Producer Nigel Lythgoe admitted that season 6 had placed more focus on the guest mentors than the contestants.[1] Changes were planned for season 7 designed to return attention to the contestants by providing more information on their backgrounds and families.
A major change for the seventh season was allowing contestants to play musical instruments,[2][3] an element that originated on Australian Idol and can also be seen on Norway's Idol and Canadian Idol. A brand new set was built, and a new introduction credit sequence created. The season finale also moved from the Kodak Theatre to the larger Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles.
[edit] Tags:American Idol,Simon Cowell,Paula Abdul,Randy Jackson,Ryan Seacrest,Fox Broadcasting Company,Nokia Theatre Los Angeles,David Cook,Blue Springs,Missouri,Usa,The Time Of My Life,Alternative Rock,Post-grunge,David Archuleta,◄,►,Ninth Season,Second Season,Eighth Season,Nigel Lythgoe,Australian Idol,Idol,Canadian Idol,Kodak Theatre,Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,Wachovia Center,Dallas, Texas,Texas Stadium,San Diego, California,Qualcomm Stadium,Charleston, South Carolina,Omaha, Nebraska,Qwest Center Omaha,Miami, Florida,American Airlines Arena,Atlanta, Georgia,Georgia Dome,Georgia International Convention Center,Alexis Cohen,Renaldo Lapuz,Pasadena Civic Center,Pasadena, California,A Cappella,Josiah Leming,Azusa, California,Season 6,Crawfordsville, Indiana,Omaha,Bend And Break,Keane,Arthur's Theme (best That You Can Do),Christopher Cross,Grace Kelly,Mika,Memphis,How Deep Is Your Love,Chapter 6,Hodgkin's Lymphoma,Beckley, West Virginia,Melbourne, Florida,Boyz N Girlz United,Britney Spears,...baby One More Time,Jc Chasez,*nsync,Grand Prairie, Texas,Making The Band,Mtv,O-town,Staunton, Virginia,Elida, Ohio,San Diego,Joplin, Missouri,How Do I Live,Can't Buy Me Love,Kenneth Babyface Edmonds,Houston,Texas,Opera,Who Wants To Live Forever,Queen,Time After Time,Alaina Whitaker,Tulsa, Oklahoma,Travis Tritt,Keith Anderson,Nashville,Douglasville, Georgia,Star Search,Joanne Borgella,Hoboken, New Jersey,Mo'nique's Fat Chance,Lowell, Indiana,In The Midnight Hour,Wilson Pickett,Rescue Me,Fontella Bass,More Today Than Yesterday,I Say A Little Prayer,Happy Together,The Turtles,The Spiral Starecase,Moon River,Andy Williams,Baby, Please Don't Go,Big Joe Williams,One,Where The Boys Are,Shop Around,Smokey Robinson & The Miracles,Jailhouse Rock,Elvis Presley,Spinning Wheel,Blood, Sweat & Tears,Everybody's Talkin',Fred Neil,A Groovy Kind Of Love,Suspicious Minds,Piece Of My Heart,Breaking Up Is Hard To Do,You Don't Have To Say You Love Me,Dusty Springfield,Daydream,The Lovin' Spoonful,Tobacco Road,John D. Loudermilk,Light My Fire,The Doors,The Shadow Of Your Smile,Tony Bennett,Go Your Own Way,Fleetwood Mac,Crazy On You,Heart,I Just Want To Be Your Everything,Andy Gibb,Me And Mrs. Jones,Billy Paul,Killer Queen,You're So Vain,Hot Blooded,Don't Leave Me This Way,Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes,Superstar,Delaney & Bonnie,You're No Good,Betty Everett,Papa Was A Rollin' Stone,The Undisputed Truth,Carry On Wayward Son,Long Train Running,Hopelessly Devoted To You,I Believe To My Soul,If You Leave Me Now,All Right Now,Free,Magic Man,Imagine,John Lennon,All By Myself,Eric Carmen,Wake Me Up Before You Go-go,I Wanna Dance With Somebody (who Loves Me),Another Day In Paradise,Tainted Love,I Hate Myself For Loving You,Joan Jett,It's All Coming Back To Me Now,Pandora's Box,I Drove All Night,Cyndi Lauper,Don't You (forget About Me),Simple Minds,Faithfully,Journey,Hello,Lionel Richie,Against All Odds (take A Look At Me Now),Phil Collins,Hallelujah,Leonard Cohen,Love Is A Battlefield,Pat Benatar,All The Man That I Need,Linda Clifford,Saving All My Love For You,Whitney Houston,Blue Springs, Missouri,Bon Jovi,Livin' On A Prayer,Axium,Midwest Kings,Analog Heart,Bartender,Bryan Adams,(everything I Do) I Do It For You,Edwin Mccain,I'll Be,Rca Records,Self-titled,Miami,Florida,Murray, Utah,John Mayer,Waiting On The World To Change,Gnarls Barkley,Crazy,Heaven,Jive Records,Syesha Mercado,Bridgeport, Connecticut,Sarasota, Florida,Aretha Franklin,Think,Florida International University,Chain Of Fools,Star Academy,The One: Making A Music Star,Kara Dioguardi,Jason Castro,Rockwall, Texas,Keith Urban,Once In A Lifetime,Ray Lamontagne,Cheyenne Kimball,Reality Tv Series,Colombia,Texas A&m University,Construction Science,Dreadlocks,Atlantic Records,Brooke White,Mesa, Arizona,Van Nuys, California,Corinne Bailey Rae,Like A Star,R-rated,Songs From The Attic,Carole King,High Hopes & Heartbreak,Carly Smithson,Dublin,Ireland,Waitress,California, | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Regional auditions | 2>
For Season 7, auditions began in San Diego, California on July 30, 2007, and continued in the following cities:[4]
Episode Air Date
Audition City
Date
First Audition Venue
Callback Date
Callback Venue
Golden Tickets
January 15, 2008
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania[5]
August 27, 2007
Wachovia Center
September 1–2, 2007
Hyatt Regency[6]
29
January 16, 2008
Dallas, Texas[7]
August 6, 2007
Texas Stadium
September 20–23, 2007
W Hotel Dallas Victory[8]
24
January 22, 2008
San Diego, California[9]
July 30, 2007
Qualcomm Stadium
September 12–13, 2007
Rancho Bernardo Inn[10]
31
January 23, 2008
Charleston, South Carolina [11]
August 18, 2007
North Charleston Coliseum
September 6–7, 2007
Charleston Area Convention Center[12]
23
January 29, 2008
Omaha, Nebraska[13]
August 10, 2007
Qwest Center Omaha
October 5–6, 2007
Qwest Convention Center[14]
19
January 30, 2008
Miami, Florida[15]
August 22, 2007
American Airlines Arena
September 29–30, 2007
JW Marriott Hotel[16]
17
February 5, 2008
Atlanta, Georgia[17]
August 14, 2007
Georgia Dome
October 8–10, 2007
Georgia International Convention Center[18][19]
21
Total Tickets to Hollywood
164
Contestants were required to be between the ages of 16 and 28 on July 28, 2007, and eligible to work in the United States. Those ineligible include former contestants who had previously reached the semifinal of Season 1 - 3 or the last phase of Hollywood round of Season 4 -6 (top 44 of Season 4 and 5, top 40 of Season 6), those holding recording or management contracts, or those who were not US citizens or landed immigrants (i.e. permanent residents).
One auditioner this year Alexis Cohen gained media attention due to her outraged reaction and profuse profanities after the judges rejected her in the Philadelphia audition.[20] She also returned in Season 8 to audition in New York and her audition was featured. She was later found dead in a hit-and-run accident.[21]
Another auditioner who gained some public attention was Renaldo Lapuz who sang his own composition "We're Brothers Forever" which he wrote for Simon Cowell. He was later asked to return to perform in the finale.
[edit] | Tags: Hollywood week | 2>
The Hollywood week took place at the Pasadena Civic Center in Pasadena, California, over a period of five days. A total of 164 contestants were invited from the seven audition cities. This year the process was altered slightly to ensure that no talent would be prematurely dismissed. The contestants were allowed two performances before elimination, and the group round was removed.
The first round of individual performance lasted two days. For the first time ever, contestants had the option of either being accompanied by the band or playing an instrument themselves. Some were shown playing the keyboard, guitar, or even the drums. If the judges approved of the contestant's performance, they received a "free pass" to the third and final round of performances, and 48 contestants were given this "free pass". Unlike previous seasons, contestants whose performances not considered good enough were given a second chance in the second round. They lined up on stage in groups of 10 and each sang a short segment of a song "a cappella." After each group had finished, the judges cut those they felt not talented enough. Almost 100 were eliminated in this round.
In the final round, all the remaining contestants performed individually a song chosen from a large list of songs provided accompanied by the band and three backup singers. After each performance, the judges decided whether or not to cut the contestant. By the end of the day, only 50 contestants remained. The judges then deliberated further on who should be in the Top 24, and their decision was revealed the next day in the Green Mile episode.
One of the more prominent contestants during the Hollywood week was Josiah Leming whose unhappiness with the backing band resulted in him dismissing the band. He was cut in the Green Mile episode. Another piece of drama involved contestant Kyle Ensley when Simon Cowell voiced strong objection over him not being selected for the semifinals. It was later revealed that his non-selection resulted in serious rift between Simon Cowell and the show producer Nigel Lythgoe.[22]
[edit] | Tags: Semi-finalists | 2>
Daniel 'Danny' Anthony Noriega (born September 29, 1989 in Azusa, California) is a 22-year-old (18 at the time of the show) who auditioned in San Diego. He previously auditioned for Idol in season 6 and made it to Hollywood week but was cut in the first round. His elimination song was Soft Cell's version of "Tainted Love". Shortly following his elimination, Noriega received an offer from Rosie O' Donnell to perform on her cruise.[23] Danny is working on his debut album and has just released his debut single, "Poisonous Cure", on February 15.
Luke Menard (born December 1, 1978 in Crawfordsville, Indiana) is a 33-year-old (29 at the time of the show) who auditioned in Omaha with "Bend and Break" by Keane. In Hollywood, he sang "Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do)" by Christopher Cross and "Grace Kelly" by Mika. Previously, he auditioned for the sixth season in Memphis and sang "How Deep Is Your Love" but did not make it to Hollywood. Prior to Season 7 of Idol, he was a member of the a cappella group Chapter 6 and has toured with them for the past 6 years, as well as appearing on their albums and DVD. After leaving Idol, Menard was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma.[24] He successfully went through chemotherapy and will soon be undergoing radiation therapy.[25] He was declared cancer free on December 18, 2008.[26]
Robert "Robbie" Carrico (born November 13, 1981 in Beckley, West Virginia) is a 30-year-old (26 at the time of the show) from Melbourne, Florida who auditioned for the show in Miami. His professional singing career prior to American Idol includes being a member of the pop group Boyz N Girlz United, which opened for Britney Spears during her "...Baby One More Time" tour in 1999.[27][28] The band's song "Messed Around" was written and produced by JC Chasez from *NSYNC.[27]
Jason Yeager (born August 26, 1979) is a 32-year-old (28 at the time of the show) from Grand Prairie, Texas who auditioned in Dallas. He appeared and was a finalist on the first season of Making the Band, the MTV reality show that led to the formation of boy band O-Town. He released a Christian album called The Heart of Me in 2008
Colton Berry (born October 11, 1989) is a 22-year-old (18 at the time of the show) from Staunton, Virginia who auditioned in Charleston.
Garrett Haley (born August 1, 1990) is a 21-year-old (17 at the time of the show) from Elida, Ohio,[29] who auditioned in San Diego.
Asia'h Epperson (born August 20, 1988) is a 23-year-old (19 at the time of the show) from Joplin, Missouri who auditioned in Atlanta singing "How Do I Live." Two days before the auditions, her father died in a car accident. Her elimination song was "I Wanna Dance With Somebody" by Whitney Houston. She currently has a few songs of her own on her MySpace page, including a cover of "Can't Buy Me Love". She now lives in Atlanta, GA and is working on her new album. She was arrested August 12, 2010 for assaulting a club goer.[30] In January 2011, she became a part of the original cast of the musical Hair Show starring Chaka Khan. Promotional material for the musical revealed that she is now a protégé of Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds.
Kady Malloy (born May 9, 1989) is a 22-year old (18 at the time of the show) from Houston, Texas who auditioned in Dallas. She became known on the show for her impersonation of Britney Spears and can also impersonate several other artists. Malloy is trained in opera singing. Her elimination song was "Who Wants to Live Forever" by Queen. She has released several songs to her MySpace and shot a video for a cover of "Time After Time" with Colton Berry. Simon's comment after her audition was: "Out of all of the people we have seen during this season you are the best." Kady is currently in a pop-country duo with Nashville musician Andrea Young. The pair began writing and recording in early 2010 and perform across the country.[31]
Alaina Whitaker (born February 21, 1991) is a 21-year-old (17 at the time of the show) contestant from Tulsa, Oklahoma who auditioned in Dallas. She was a member of the female country group Della Rose along with Andrea Young and Erin James. Before the show, she and her sister won a talent competition in Tulsa, beating one of David Cook's bands, Midwest Kings. Whether or not Cook was in the band at the time is unknown. Her group Della Rose was working on their debut album in Nashville before they disbanded. The group has opened up for numerous major country acts including Travis Tritt, and Keith Anderson, who was also known as the groups Mentor. Whitaker is currently working on a solo album and now resides in Nashville.
Alexandréa Lushington (born February 13, 1991) is a 21-year-old (17 at the time of the show) from Douglasville, Georgia who auditioned in Atlanta. In 2004, she sang against fellow Idol semi-finalist David Archuleta on an episode of the television show Star Search.[28]
Joanne Borgella (born May 29, 1982) is a 29-year-old (25 at the time of the show) model from Hoboken, New Jersey who auditioned in Philadelphia. Before auditioning for Idol, she appeared in and won Mo'Nique's Fat Chance.
Amy Davis (born June 19, 1982) is a 29-year-old (25 at the time of the show) professional model from Lowell, Indiana. She auditioned in Dallas.
[edit] | Tags: Top 24 – 1960s | 3>
Order
Males
Females
Contestant
Song (original artist)
Result
Contestant
Song (original artist)
Result
1
David Hernandez
"In the Midnight Hour" (Wilson Pickett)
Safe
Kristy Lee Cook
"Rescue Me" (Fontella Bass)
Safe
2
Chikezie
"More Today Than Yesterday" (The Spiral Starecase)
Safe
Joanne Borgella
"I Say a Little Prayer" (Dionne Warwick)
Eliminated
3
David Cook
"Happy Together" (The Turtles)
Safe
Alaina Whitaker
"More Today Than Yesterday" (The Spiral Starecase)
Safe
4
Jason Yeager
"Moon River" (Andy Williams)
Safe
Amanda Overmyer
"Baby, Please Don't Go" (Big Joe Williams)
Safe
5
Robbie Carrico
"One" (Harry Nilsson)
Safe
Amy Davis
"Where the Boys Are" (Connie Francis)
Eliminated
6
David Archuleta
"Shop Around" (Smokey Robinson & the Miracles)
Safe
Brooke White
"Happy Together" (The Turtles)
Safe
7
Danny Noriega
"Jailhouse Rock" (Elvis Presley)
Safe
Alexandréa Lushington
"Spinning Wheel" (Blood, Sweat & Tears)
Safe
8
Luke Menard
"Everybody's Talkin'" (Fred Neil)
Safe
Kady Malloy
"A Groovy Kind of Love" (The Mindbenders)
Safe
9
Colton Berry
"Suspicious Minds" (Mark James)
Eliminated
Asia'h Epperson
"Piece of My Heart" (Erma Franklin)
Safe
10
Garrett Haley
"Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" (Neil Sedaka)
Eliminated
Ramiele Malubay
"You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" (Dusty Springfield)
Safe
11
Jason Castro
"Daydream" (The Lovin' Spoonful)
Safe
Syesha Mercado
"Tobacco Road" (John D. Loudermilk)
Safe
12
Michael Johns
"Light My Fire" (The Doors)
Safe
Carly Smithson
"The Shadow of Your Smile" (Tony Bennett)
Safe
[edit] | Tags: Top 20 – 1970s | 3>
Order
Males
Females
Contestant
Song (original artist)
Result
Contestant
Song (original artist)
Result
1
Michael Johns
"Go Your Own Way" (Fleetwood Mac)
Safe
Carly Smithson
"Crazy on You" (Heart)
Safe
2
Jason Castro
"I Just Want to Be Your Everything" (Andy Gibb)
Safe
Syesha Mercado
"Me and Mrs. Jones" (Billy Paul)
Safe
3
Luke Menard
"Killer Queen" (Queen)
Safe
Brooke White
"You're So Vain" (Carly Simon)
Safe
4
Robbie Carrico
"Hot Blooded" (Foreigner)
Eliminated
Ramiele Malubay
"Don't Leave Me This Way" (Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes)
Safe
5
Danny Noriega
"Superstar" (Delaney & Bonnie)
Safe
Kristy Lee Cook
"You're No Good" (Betty Everett)
Safe
6
David Hernandez
"Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (The Undisputed Truth)
Safe
Amanda Overmyer
"Carry On Wayward Son" (Kansas)
Safe
7
Jason Yeager
"Long Train Running" (The Doobie Brothers)
Eliminated
Alaina Whitaker
"Hopelessly Devoted to You" (Olivia Newton-John)
Eliminated
8
Chikezie
"I Believe to My Soul" (Donny Hathaway)
Safe
Alexandréa Lushington
"If You Leave Me Now" (Chicago)
Eliminated
9
David Cook
"All Right Now" (Free)
Safe
Kady Malloy
"Magic Man" (Heart)
Safe
10
David Archuleta
"Imagine" (John Lennon)
Safe
Asia'h Epperson
"All by Myself" (Eric Carmen)
Safe
[edit] | Tags: Top 16 – 1980s | 3>
Order
Males
Females
Contestant
Song (original artist)
Result
Contestant
Song (original artist)
Result
1
Luke Menard
"Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" (Wham!)
Eliminated
Asia'h Epperson
"I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" (Whitney Houston)
Eliminated
2
David Archuleta
"Another Day in Paradise" (Phil Collins)
Safe
Kady Malloy
"Who Wants to Live Forever" (Queen)
Eliminated
3
Danny Noriega
"Tainted Love" (Gloria Jones)
Eliminated
Amanda Overmyer
"I Hate Myself for Loving You" (Joan Jett)
Safe
4
David Hernandez
"It's All Coming Back to Me Now" (Pandora's Box)
Safe
Carly Smithson
"I Drove All Night" (Cyndi Lauper)
Safe
5
Michael Johns
"Don't You (Forget About Me)" (Simple Minds)
Safe
Kristy Lee Cook
"Faithfully" (Journey)
Safe
6
David Cook
"Hello" (Lionel Richie)
Safe
Ramiele Malubay
"Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (Phil Collins)
Safe
7
Jason Castro
"Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen)
Safe
Brooke White
"Love Is a Battlefield" (Pat Benatar)
Safe
8
Chikezie
"All the Man That I Need" (Linda Clifford)
Safe
Syesha Mercado
"Saving All My Love for You" (Whitney Houston)
Safe
[edit] | Tags: Finalists | 2>
David Cook
David Cook (born December 20, 1982 in Houston, Texas, 24 at the time of the auditions and 25 at the time of the show) is a native of Blue Springs, Missouri who auditioned in Omaha, Nebraska with Bon Jovi's "Livin' On A Prayer". Cook's interest in music began early in life; he received his first guitar at the age of 2.[32] He formed a band while still at high school called Axium which was chosen as the best band in Kansas City in 2004. He later joined Midwest Kings in Tulsa, but left to pursue a solo project where he released an album titled Analog Heart. Prior to Idol he worked as a bartender at the "Blank Slate" in Tulsa, where he would also occasionally play shows. He enjoys doing crossword puzzles in his spare time and calls himself a "word nerd."[32] His Hollywood performance of Bryan Adams's "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" did not impress Simon Cowell but did so with his second performance Edwin McCain's "I'll Be". He wore an orange wristband to support a seven-year-old fan with leukemia from Top 12 week onwards. He was never in the "bottom three". On May 21, 2008, he was declared the winner. He was signed to RCA Records and released a self-titled album on November 18, 2008, that was certified platinum in January 2009.
David Archuleta
David Archuleta (born December 28, 1990 in Miami, Florida, 16 at the time of the auditions and 17 at the time of the show) is from Murray, Utah who auditioned in San Diego with John Mayer's "Waiting on the World to Change". In 2003, at the age of 12, he sang on several episodes of the television show Star Search[28] and went on to win the season finale and the $100,000 grand prize.[33] In one episode, he competed against Alexandréa Lushington, who was a fellow semi-finalist this season. He suffered from vocal paralysis after that show which affected one of his vocal cords. He impressed the judges with his performance of Gnarls Barkley's "Crazy" and Bryan Adams's "Heaven" during the Hollywood round. He was never in the "bottom three" in American Idol and finished as the Season 7 runner-up. He was signed to Jive Records and has since released a number of albums.
Syesha Mercado
Syesha Mercado (born January 2, 1987 in Bridgeport, Connecticut, 21 at the time of the show) is from Sarasota, Florida who auditioned in Miami with Aretha Franklin's "Think". She is a student at Florida International University and has been singing and dancing since she was a child. During Hollywood week, she became ill and almost completely lost her voice. In preparation for her final Hollywood performance with Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools", she went on voice rest and wrote down everything she had to say on a pad of paper. Prior to American Idol, she appeared on the short-lived US version of Star Academy (known as The One: Making a Music Star when it aired on ABC in July 2006 for two weeks). Kara DioGuardi, who was one of the coaches on the Endemol franchise, joined Idol for Season 8.[34] She was voted off as a third-place finisher and has since pursued a career in musical theatre.
Jason Castro
Jason Castro (born March 25, 1987, 20 at the time of the show) Rockwall, Texas auditioned in Dallas with Keith Urban's Once in a Lifetime and Ray LaMontagne's version of Gnarls Barkley's Crazy. He started in music playing the drums. In high school, he played for a band, Keeping Lions, which has since disbanded.[35] In 2006, he appeared on Cheyenne Kimball's MTV reality TV series, as her real-life dating interest. Castro is the first person in his family, which is originally from Colombia, to be born in the United States. He is a student at Texas A&M University, with a construction science major and music minor. He began growing his hair out for dreadlocks during his senior year of high school. He exited the competition in fourth place. He has since been signed to Atlantic Records and released a number of albums and EPs.
Brooke White
Brooke White (born June 2, 1983 in Mesa, Arizona, 24 at time of show) was a nanny from Van Nuys, California auditioned in Philadelphia with Corinne Bailey Rae's Like a Star. During her audition, she admitted to never having seen an R-rated movie, prompting Cowell to state that the show will "bring her over to the dark side." In 2005, she released an album titled Songs from the Attic under New Millennium Records. She performed Carole King's "Beautiful" on Hollywood week. She finished in fifth place on Idol. After the contest, she started her own record label "June Baby Records" with Randy Jackson, and released an album, High Hopes & Heartbreak.
Carly Smithson
Carly Smithson (born September 12, 1983 in Dublin, Ireland, 24 at the time of that show) is a professional singer and bartender/waitress from San Diego, California, where she has been living for the past three years. Smithson previously signed a recording contract with major USA label MCA Records and released an album in 2001 entitled Ultimate High under her birth name, Carly Hennessy. The album sold approximately 300 copies in the first three months following its release. Smithson was originally auditioned in Las Vegas during season five, but was dropped from the show due to a problem with her visa. She auditioned in San Diego with Whitney Houston's I'm Every Woman, and performed Leo Sayer's version of "When I Need You" and Heart's version of "Alone" in the Hollywood rounds. She finished sixth in the show. She later teamed up with former members of Evanescence and formed a new band We Are The Fallen as its lead singer.
Kristy Lee Cook
Kristy Lee Cook (born January 18, 1984, 24 at the time of that show) is a horse trainer from Selma, Oregon. She sold her prized horse in order to afford the trip to audition in Philadelphia where she auditioned with Amazing Grace, a song she also performed during the Hollywood week. In 2001, she was signed to a major label, Arista Nashville.[28][36] Cook also signed with Britney Spears' production company, and Spears herself was supposed to have a cameo in Cook's first video.[28][36] At the time of signing, she was managed by the former manager of LeAnn Rimes.[28][36] In 2005, she released a CD called Devoted with Ren-Hen Records.[37] Since appearing on the show, Kristy Lee Cook has released an album entitled "Why Wait", which peaked on number eight on the Billboard country charts. The album contained a single, "15 Minutes of Shame", which peaked in the Top 30 on the Billboard country charts. As of December 2008, she has been dropped from Arista Nashville.[38]
Michael Johns
Michael Johns (born as Michael Lee on October 20, 1978 in Perth, Western Australia, 29 at the time of that show) auditioned in San Diego with Otis Redding's I've Been Loving You Too Long. He is Australian and moved to the United States from Australia in 1998 and lived in Buckhead (Atlanta) for six years, performing at local venues solo and with local band Film. He has since lived in Los Angeles, California. After recording a demo and traveling to Los Angeles to showcase for a number of labels in 2001, he signed with Maverick Records and formed a rock band called The Rising.[39] Before focusing on his singing career, he was a sportsman, winning a tennis scholarship[40] and playing Australian rules football for the USAFL club Atlanta Kookaburras.[41] During the Hollywood round, he performed The Doors' "Light My Fire" but it was his performance of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody that was one of the highlights of that week. He was surprisingly eliminated on April 10, 2008 and finished in eighth place. He released an album independently Hold Back My Heart in 2009.
Ramiele Malubay
Ramiele Malubay (born September 6, 1987 in Saudi Arabia,[42] 20 at the time of that show) Filipino-American from Miramar, Florida auditioned in Miami with Aretha Franklin's Natural Woman. Prior to auditioning on Idol, she was a nursing student at Broward Community College and worked part-time at a sushi restaurant. She started Polynesian Dancing when she was in the first grade and started singing at the age of twelve. Since the age of 12, Ramiele has sung at various Filipino-American events.[43] She performed Aretha Franklin's Until You Come Back to Me and The Kiki Dee Band's "I've Got The Music In Me" at the Hollywood rounds. She was eliminated as a ninth place finisher.
Chikezie
Chikezie (born Chikezie Eze on September 11, 1985 in Inglewood, California, 22 at the time of that show) is a Nigerian American from Inglewood, California who auditioned in San Diego with Luther Vandross's version of "All the Woman I Need". During the competition, he dropped using his last name because it was so frequently mispronounced ('eh-zee' and not 'EE-zee').[44] He previously auditioned for the show's sixth season, and made it into the Hollywood Round, where he was cut before the top 44. Before auditioning for Idol, he worked as a TSA officer at Los Angeles International Airport.
Amanda Overmyer
Amanda Overmyer (born October 26, 1984, 23 at the time of that show) Harley-riding nurse is from Mulberry, Indiana who auditioned in Atlanta with Janis Joplin's Turtle Blues and Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Travelin' Band". She received a nursing degree from Ivy Tech Community College and deals predominantly in respiratory issues. She has been the lead singer of several local hard rock bands, including Steeleto and Ruinaces. A week before the Hollywood week, she was injured in a serious car accident. She performed The Doors' "Light My Fire" at the Hollywood rounds. After the season ended she married her fiancé Casey Taylor. Since her elimination, she has played at The Whisky a Go Go bar in West Hollywood and various venues. Since appearing on the show, Amanda has released a rock album entitled "Solidify". The album is only available on the official Amanda Overmyer website as of January 3, 2009.
David Hernandez
David Hernandez (born May 31, 1983 in Glendale, Arizona, 24 at the time of that show) is from Glendale, Arizona and auditioned with The Temptations' "Ain't Too Proud to Beg". He was a student at Arizona State University with a major in Broadcast Journalism. He gave up his apartment to move to Hollywood. Until September 30, 2007, Hernandez worked as a male stripper named "Caden" at Dick's Cabaret in Phoenix, Arizona, performing fully nude and giving lap dances to male patrons.[45] This did not prevent him from being on the show.[46][47] He performed Stephen Stills's Love the One You're With on Hollywood week. He was voted off in twelfth place soon after his stripper past was publicized by Vote for the Worst.
[edit] | Tags: Top 12 – | 3>
Order
Contestant
Song
Result
1
Syesha Mercado
"Got to Get You into My Life"
Bottom 3
2
Chikezie
"She's a Woman"
Safe
3
Ramiele Malubay
"In My Life"
Safe
4
Jason Castro
"If I Fell"
Safe
5
Carly Smithson
"Come Together"
Safe
6
David Cook
"Eleanor Rigby"
Safe
7
Brooke White
"Let It Be"
Safe
8
David Hernandez
"I Saw Her Standing There"
Eliminated
9
Amanda Overmyer
"You Can't Do That"
Safe
10
Michael Johns
"Across the Universe"
Safe
11
Kristy Lee Cook
"Eight Days a Week"
Bottom 2
12
David Archuleta
"We Can Work It Out"
Safe
[edit] | Tags: Top 11 – | 3>
Order
Contestant
Song
Result
1
Amanda Overmyer
"Back in the U.S.S.R."
Eliminated
2
Kristy Lee Cook
"You've Got to Hide Your Love Away"
Bottom 2
3
David Archuleta
"The Long and Winding Road"
Safe
4
Michael Johns
"A Day in the Life"
Safe
5
Brooke White
"Here Comes the Sun"
Safe
6
David Cook
"Day Tripper"
Safe
7
Carly Smithson
"Blackbird"
Bottom 3
8
Jason Castro
"Michelle"
Safe
9
Syesha Mercado
"Yesterday"
Safe
10
Chikezie
"I've Just Seen a Face"
Safe
11
Ramiele Malubay
"I Should Have Known Better"
Safe
[edit] | Tags: Top 10 – Year They Were Born | 3>
Order
Contestant
Song (original artist)
Result
1
Ramiele Malubay
"Alone" (i-TEN)
Safe
2
Jason Castro
"Fragile" (Sting)
Bottom Three
3
Syesha Mercado
"If I Were Your Woman" (Gladys Knight & the Pips)
Bottom Two
4
Chikezie
"If Only for One Night" (Luther Vandross)
Eliminated
5
Brooke White
"Every Breath You Take" (The Police)
Safe
6
Michael Johns
"We Will Rock You" / "We Are the Champions" medley (Queen)
Safe
7
Carly Smithson
"Total Eclipse of the Heart" (Bonnie Tyler)
Safe
8
David Archuleta
"You're the Voice" (John Farnham)
Safe
9
Kristy Lee Cook
"God Bless the USA" (Lee Greenwood)
Safe
10
David Cook
"Billie Jean" (Michael Jackson)
Safe
[edit] | Tags: Top 9 – | 3>
Mentor: Dolly Parton
Order
Contestant
Song
Result
1
Brooke White
"Jolene"
Bottom Three
2
David Cook
"Little Sparrow"
Safe
3
Ramiele Malubay
"Do I Ever Cross Your Mind"
Eliminated
4
Jason Castro
"Travelin' Thru"
Safe
5
Carly Smithson
"Here You Come Again"
Safe
6
David Archuleta
"Smoky Mountain Memories"
Safe
7
Kristy Lee Cook
"Coat of Many Colors"
Bottom Two
8
Syesha Mercado
"I Will Always Love You"
Safe
9
Michael Johns
"It's All Wrong But It's All Right""
Safe
[edit] | Tags: Top 8 – Inspirational Music | 3>
Order
Contestant
Song (original artist)
Result
1
Michael Johns
"Dream On" (Aerosmith)
Eliminated
2
Syesha Mercado
"I Believe" (Fantasia)
Bottom Three
3
Jason Castro
"Over the Rainbow" (Judy Garland)
Safe
4
Kristy Lee Cook
"Anyway" (Martina McBride)
Safe
5
David Cook
"Innocent" (Our Lady Peace)
Safe
6
Carly Smithson
"The Show Must Go On" (Queen)
Bottom Three
7
David Archuleta
"Angels" (Robbie Williams)
Safe
8
Brooke White
"You've Got a Friend" (Carole King)
Safe
[edit] | Tags: Top 7 – | 3>
Mentor: Mariah Carey
Order
Contestant
Song (original artist when applicable)
Result
1
David Archuleta
"When You Believe" (Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston)
Safe
2
Carly Smithson
"Without You " (Badfinger)
Safe
3
Syesha Mercado
"Vanishing"
Bottom Three
4
Brooke White
"Hero"
Bottom Two
5
Kristy Lee Cook
"Forever"
Eliminated
6
David Cook
"Always Be My Baby"
Safe
7
Jason Castro
"I Don't Wanna Cry"
Safe
[edit] | Tags: Top 6 – | 3>
Mentor: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Order
Contestant
Song (production)
Result
1
Syesha Mercado
"One Rock & Roll Too Many" (from Starlight Express)
Bottom Two
2
Jason Castro
"Memory" (from Cats)
Safe
3
Brooke White
"You Must Love Me" (from Evita)
Safe
4
David Archuleta
"Think of Me" (from The Phantom of the Opera)
Safe
5
Carly Smithson
"Superstar" (from Jesus Christ Superstar)
Eliminated
6
David Cook
"The Music of the Night" (from The Phantom of the Opera)
Safe
[edit] | Tags: Top 5 – | 3>
Mentor: Neil Diamond
Each contestant sang two songs.
Order
Contestant
Song (original artist when applicable)
Result
1
Jason Castro
"Forever in Blue Jeans"
Safe
2
David Cook
"I'm Alive"
Safe
3
Brooke White
"I'm a Believer" (The Monkees)
Eliminated
4
David Archuleta
"Sweet Caroline"
Safe
5
Syesha Mercado
"Hello Again"
Safe
6
Jason Castro
"September Morn"
Safe
7
David Cook
"All I Really Need Is You""
Safe
8
Brooke White
"I Am...I Said"
Eliminated
9
David Archuleta
"America"
Safe
10
Syesha Mercado
"Thank the Lord for the Night Time"
Safe
[edit] | Tags: Top 4 – | 3>
Each contestant sang two songs.
Order
Contestant
Song (original artist)
Result
1
David Cook
"Hungry Like the Wolf" (Duran Duran)
Safe
2
Syesha Mercado
"Proud Mary" (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Safe
3
Jason Castro
"I Shot the Sheriff" (Bob Marley)
Eliminated
4
David Archuleta
"Stand by Me" (Ben E. King)
Safe
5
David Cook
"Baba O'Riley" (The Who)
Safe
6
Syesha Mercado
"A Change Is Gonna Come" (Sam Cooke)
Safe
7
Jason Castro
"Mr. Tambourine Man" (Bob Dylan)
Eliminated
8
David Archuleta
"Love Me Tender" (Elvis Presley)
Safe
[edit] | Tags: Top 3 – Judges' choice, Contestant's choice & Producer's Choice | 3>
Each contestant sang three songs.
Order
Contestant
Song (original artist) — Judge
Result
1
David Archuleta
"And So It Goes" (Billy Joel) — Paula Abdul
Safe
2
Syesha Mercado
"If I Ain't Got You" (Alicia Keys) — Randy Jackson
Eliminated
3
David Cook
"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (Peggy Seeger) — Simon Cowell
Safe
4
David Archuleta
"With You" (Chris Brown)
Safe
5
Syesha Mercado
"Fever" (Little Willie John)
Eliminated
6
David Cook
"Dare You to Move" (Switchfoot)
Safe
7
David Archuleta
"Longer" (Dan Fogelberg)
Safe
8
Syesha Mercado
"Hit Me Up" (Gia Farrell)
Eliminated
9
David Cook
"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (Aerosmith)
Safe
[edit] | Tags: Finale – | 3>
Each contestant sang three songs.
Order
Contestant
Song (original artist)
Result
1
David Cook
"I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For" (U2)
Winner
2
David Archuleta
"Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (Elton John)
Runner-Up
3
David Cook
"Dream Big"
Winner
4
David Archuleta
"In This Moment"
Runner-Up
5
David Cook
"The World I Know" (Collective Soul)
Winner
6
David Archuleta
"Imagine" (John Lennon)
Runner-Up
[edit] | Tags: Elimination chart | 2>
Legend
Female
Male
Top 24
Top 12
Winner
Safe
Safe First
Safe Last
Eliminated
Stage:
Semi Finals
Finals
Week:
2/21
2/28
3/6
3/12
3/19
3/26
4/2
4/101
4/16
4/23
4/302
5/7
5/14
5/21
Place
Contestant
Result
1
David Cook
Winner
2
David Archuleta
Runner-Up
3
Syesha Mercado
Bottom 3
Bottom 2
Bottom 3
Bottom 3
Bottom 2
Elim
4
Jason Castro
Bottom 3
Elim
5
Brooke White
Bottom 3
Bottom 2
Elim
6
Carly Smithson
Bottom 3
Bottom 3
Elim
7
Kristy Lee Cook
Bottom 2
Bottom 2
Bottom 2
Elim
8
Michael Johns
Elim
9
Ramiele Malubay
Elim
10
Chikezie
Elim
11
Amanda Overmyer
Elim
12
David Hernandez
Elim
13-16
Danny Noriega
Elim
Asia'h Epperson
Luke Menard
Kady Malloy
Bottom 3
17-20
Robbie Carrico
Elim
Alaina Whitaker
Alexandréa Lushington
Jason Yeager
21-24
Colton Berry
Elim
Joanne Borgella
Amy Davis
Garrett Haley
1 Due to the Idol Gives Back special airing on the show's regular Wednesday results night, the results show was moved to Thursday.
2 From this point forward, neither the bottom 3 nor bottom 2 contestants were explicitly identified.
[edit] | Tags: Results night performances | 2>
During the Hollywood weeks, "Hollywood's Not America" by Ferras played when contestants were eliminated, while "Best Days" by Graham Colton was the elimination song for the semi-finals round. For the finals, season 2 winner Ruben Studdard remade Kenny Loggins' "Celebrate Me Home" as the exit song.
[edit] | Tags: Group song | 3>
The contestants also performed medleys of songs from that week's theme.
Top 24: A medley of songs from the 1960s, including "Needles and Pins" and "When You Walk in the Room" by The Searchers, "Spanish Harlem" by Ben E. King, and "Bend Me, Shape Me" by The American Breed.
Top 20: A medley of songs from the 1970s, including "I Saw the Light" by Todd Rundgren, "It's a Heartache" by Bonnie Tyler, "The Things We Do for Love" by 10cc, and "I Feel the Earth Move" by Carole King.
Top 12: A medley of songs by The Beatles including "All My Loving," "I Feel Fine," "Can't Buy Me Love," and "Help!."
Top 11: A second medley of Beatles songs including "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Here, There and Everywhere," "Because," and "The End."
Top 10: "Right Back Where We Started From" by Maxine Nightingale.
Top 9: "9 to 5" by Dolly Parton.
Top 8: "Shout to the Lord" by Hillsong.
Top 7: "One Sweet Day" by Mariah Carey with Boyz II Men.
Top 6: "All I Ask of You" from The Phantom of the Opera."
Top 5: A medley of songs by Neil Diamond, including "Cracklin' Rosie," "Song Sung Blue," and "Brother Love's Travelling Salvation Show."
Top 4: "Reelin' in the Years" by Steely Dan.
Top 3: "Ain't No Stopping Us Now" by McFadden & Whitehead.
[edit] | Tags: Finale | 3>
Top 12 - "Get Ready" (The Temptations).
Top 2 - "Hero" (Chad Kroeger and Josey Scott)
The top 2 meet Guru Pitka (Mike Myers)
Seal and Syesha Mercado - "Waiting For You"
Jason Castro- "Hallelujah"
Girl finalists - Donna Summer medley - "She Works Hard for Her Money", "Hot Stuff"
Donna Summer with Top 12 girls - "Stamp Your Feet", "Last Dance"
Carly Smithson and Michael Johns - "The Letter" (The Box Tops)
Jimmy Kimmel
Guy finalists - Bryan Adams medley "Summer of '69", "Heaven"
Bryan Adams with the guys - "I Thought I'd Seen Everything", "Somebody"
ZZ Top and David Cook - "Sharp Dressed Man"
Graham Nash and Brooke White - "Teach Your Children"
Jonas Brothers - " | Tags: American Idol,Simon Cowell,Websites related to: Brooke Berry |