Jordin Brianna SparksJordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop / R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She hails from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history...
(born December 22, 1989) is a -year-old (17 at the time of the show) from Glendale, ArizonaGlendale is a city in Maricopa County, Arizona, USA, located about nine miles northwest from Downtown Phoenix. According to 2010 Census Bureau, the population of the city is 226,721....
who auditioned in Seattle. She was a contestant on America's Most Talented KidAmerica's Most Talented Kid was an American television series that originally aired on NBC on March 28, 2003. In each round, three age groups...
in 2003 and also appeared on the program's Tournament of Champions, on which she sang the Celine DionCéline Marie Claudette Dion, , , is a Canadian singer. Born to a large family from Charlemagne, Quebec, Dion emerged as a teen star in the French-speaking world after her manager and future husband René Angélil mortgaged his home to finance her first record...
ballad "Because You Loved Me"Because You Loved Me" is a song from Céline Dion's album Falling into You, released as the first single on February 19, 1996 in North America and Japan. In other parts of the world it was released in May 1996 as the second single, after "Falling into You"....
" in her auditions. She is the daughter of former NFLThe National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
defensive back Philippi Sparks. With her win, Jordin became the youngest Idol yet and joins the ranks of Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Hicks by winning without ever appearing in the bottom two or three.
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Blake Colin LewisBlake Colin Lewis is an American singer-songwriter and beatboxer who was the runner-up on the sixth season of American Idol. His major label debut album A.D.D. was released on December 4, 2007 through 19 Recordings/Arista Records. On October 30, 2007, his first single "Break Anotha" was released....
(born July 21, 1981) is a -year-old (25 at the time of the show) and auditioned in Seattle, and is from Bothell, WashingtonBothell is a city located in King and Snohomish Counties in the state of Washington. It is part of the Seattle metropolitan area. The population was 33,505 as of the 2010 census...
. He is a former member of the a cappellaA cappella music is specifically solo or group singing without instrumental sound, or a piece intended to be performed in this way. It is the opposite of cantata, which is accompanied singing. A cappella was originally intended to differentiate between Renaissance polyphony and Baroque concertato...
group KickShaw. Claiming to be the city's beatboxingBeatboxing is a form of vocal percussion primarily involving the art of producing drum beats, rhythm, and musical sounds using one's mouth, lips, tongue, and voice. It may also involve singing, vocal imitation of turntablism, and the simulation of horns, strings, and other musical instruments...
champion, Lewis sampled a hip hopHip hop music, also called hip-hop, rap music or hip-hop music, is a musical genre consisting of a stylized rhythmic music that commonly accompanies rapping, a rhythmic and rhyming speech that is chanted...
tune to the judges before rendering SealSeal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel , known simply as Seal, is a British soul and R&B singer-songwriter, of Nigerian and Brazilian background. Seal has won numerous music awards throughout his career, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male in 1992, four Grammy Awards, and an...
's "Crazy"Crazy" is a song written by English soul artist Seal and producer Guy Sigsworth . The song was produced by Trevor Horn for Seal's debut album Seal . Seal's debut single, "Crazy" is one of his biggest hits, reaching the top five in the United Kingdom and the top ten in the United States...
". He passed the auditions but Simon commented to him that "you are not as good as you think you are", reminding him not to be cocky and overconfident in the future.
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Melinda Marie DoolittleMelinda Marie Doolittle is an American singer who finished as the third place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol...
(October 6, 1977) age (29 at the time of show), auditioned in Memphis, and is from Brentwood, Tennessee-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,445 people, 7,693 households, and 6,808 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 7,889 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 94.63% European American, 1.89% African American,...
. Despite being a professional back-up singer, she admitted she was still tense and nervous about competing in the show. She auditioned with "For Once in My Life"For Once in My Life" is a pop song written by Ron Miller and Orlando Murden for Motown Records' Jobete publishing company in 1967 . The composition was originally recorded by Jean DuShon, while other artists, such as Tony Bennett and The Temptations, recorded slow ballad versions of the song...
" popularized by Stevie WonderStevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
, and was met with universal praise from the three judges on her vocal ability. The judges did express concern about her nerves and told her to believe in herself. Her elimination the week before the finale had many critics and viewers in shock, and Simon Cowell looked extremely disappointed, as he felt that she deserved to be in the finale for "week to week consistency". She has sung back up for Aaron NevilleAaron Neville is an American soul and R&B singer and musician. He has had four top-20 hits in the United States along with four platinum-certified albums...
, CeCe WinansPriscilla "CeCe" Marie Winans Love is an American Gospel singer, who has won numerous Grammy and Stellar Awards.-Early life:CeCe Winans was born in Detroit, Michigan, to David and Delores Winans, on October 8, 1964...
, and Season 3 finalist George Huff. She also performed in the "Christmas Time" Tours in 2005 and 2006 for Contemporary Christian singer Michael W. SmithMichael Whitaker Smith is a Billboard top ten Billboard Hot 100 recording artist and Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in Contemporary Christian music. Smith also has achieved a considerable amount of...
.
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LaKisha Ann JonesLaKisha Ann Jones is an American singer. She placed fourth on the sixth season of American Idol.-Personal life:Jones was born at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, to a teacher at the Flint Foundation Academy...
(born January 13, 1980) a -year-old (27 at the time of show) bank teller who performed "Think" by Aretha FranklinAretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
, and is originally from Flint, MichiganFlint is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan and is located along the Flint River, northwest of Detroit. The U.S. Census Bureau reports the 2010 population to be placed at 102,434, making Flint the seventh largest city in Michigan. It is the county seat of Genesee County which lies in the...
. Viewers were first introduced to Jones during the "Best of the Rest" episode. After her audition in New York, LaKisha celebrated with her family and cried tears of happiness with her daughter. She is also the runner up of the HoustonHouston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...
show, KPRC Local 2 Gimme the Mike, in 2005. She listed Fort Meade, MarylandFort Meade is a census-designated place in Anne Arundel County, Maryland, United States. The population was 9,882 at the 2000 census. It is the home to the National Security Agency, which is located on the US Army post Fort George G...
as home on her application, and also has a Houston following.
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Christopher Michael "Chris" RichardsonChristopher Michael "Chris" Richardson is an American singer-songwriter who was the fifth-place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol.-Personal life:...
(born February 19, 1984) is a -year-old (23 at time of show). He is from Chesapeake, VirginiaAs of the census of 2000, there were 199,184 people, 69,900 households, and 54,172 families residing in the city. The population density was 584.6 people per square mile . There were 72,672 housing units at an average density of 213.3 per square mile...
, and auditioned in New York with Leon RussellClaude Russell Bridges , known professionally as Leon Russell, is an American musician and songwriter, who has recorded as a session musician, sideman, and maintained a solo career in music....
's A Song for You"A Song for You" is a soulful love song written and originally recorded by rock singer-songwriter and pianist Leon Russell for his first solo album 'Leon Russell', which was released in 1970 on Shelter Records. A slow, pained plea for forgiveness and understanding from an estranged lover, the tune...
as interpreted by Donny HathawayDonny Edward Hathaway was an American soul singer-songwriter and musician. Hathaway contracted with Atlantic Records in 1969 and with his first single for the Atco label, "The Ghetto, Part I" in early 1970, Rolling Stone magazine "marked him as a major new force in soul music."His collaborations...
. During Richardson's audition Randy compared him to Justin TimberlakeJustin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
.
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Joel Philip "Phil" StaceyJoel Philip "Phil" Stacey is an American singer who first gained national attention on season 6 of the television talent show American Idol. After being eliminated from the competition on May 2, 2007, he was signed to a recording contract with Lyric Street Records...
(born January 21, 1978) is a -year-old (29 at time of show) and serves in the United States Navy. He auditioned in Memphis and is from Jacksonville, FloridaJacksonville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Florida in terms of both population and land area, and the largest city by area in the contiguous United States. It is the county seat of Duval County, with which the city government consolidated in 1968...
. He missed the birth of his daughter, McKayla, to audition for Idol. He performed two songs before getting through to Hollywood: "My Girl" and "Let's Get It OnLet's Get It On is the twelfth studio album by American soul musician Marvin Gaye, released August 28, 1973, on Tamla Records. Recording sessions for the album took place during June 1970 to July 1973 at Hitsville U.S.A. and Golden World Studio in Detroit, and at Hitsville West in Los Angeles...
".
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Sanjaya Joseph MalakarSanjaya Joseph Malakar is an American singer of Indian origin, who was a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol. He gained national attention on the series, controversially advancing to 7th place with public votes, despite being poorly received by the show's judges, particularly Simon...
(born September 10, 1989) is a -year-old (17 at time of show). He auditioned in Seattle with his sister Shyamali, singing "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours"Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" is a soul single by American musician Stevie Wonder, recorded for Motown's Tamla label. Released in June 1970, the song spent six weeks at number one on the U.S. R&B chart and peaked at number three on the U.S. Pop chart...
." He is from Federal Way, WashingtonFederal Way is a city in King County, Washington, United States. Federal Way is located between Seattle and Tacoma. Its western boundary is Puget Sound. It is bordered by Des Moines on the north, Kent, unincorporated King County, and Milton on the east and Tacoma and Fife on the south...
, the same town as Amy Krebs. After Sanjaya's audition, Simon commented that he had a better voice than his sister. Both made it to Hollywood, but Sanjaya was shown tearfully embracing his sister when he made it to the top 40 in Hollywood and she was cut.
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| Haley Suzanne Scarnato Haley Suzanne Scarnato is an American singer who was the 8th-place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol. Scarnato announced in an interview in November 2009, her album Strongheart was scrapped after she left her management, but is working on a new album and "Strongheart" was her old...
(born June 15, 1982) is a -year-old (24 at time of show) former wedding band singer. She sang "I Can't Make You Love Me"I Can't Make You Love Me" is a 1991 popular song, written by Mike Reid and Allen Shamblin and recorded by Bonnie Raitt on her Luck of the Draw album from that year. In August 2000, Mojo magazine voted "I Can't Make You Love Me" #8 on its The 100 Greatest Songs Of All Time list...
" by Bonnie RaittBonnie Lynn Raitt is an American blues singer-songwriter and a renowned slide guitar player. During the 1970s, Raitt released a series of acclaimed roots-influenced albums which incorporated elements of blues, rock, folk and country, but she is perhaps best known for her more commercially...
during her audition. She lives in San Antonio, TexasSan Antonio is the seventh-largest city in the United States of America and the second-largest city within the state of Texas, with a population of 1.33 million. Located in the American Southwest and the south–central part of Texas, the city serves as the seat of Bexar County. In 2011,...
.
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Gina GlocksenGina Glocksen was the ninth-place finisher on the sixth season of American Idol. She was eliminated on April 4, 2007. She previously appeared in season 5...
(born July 4, 1984) is a -year-old (22 at time of show), auditioned in Memphis, and is from Naperville, IllinoisNaperville is a city in DuPage and Will Counties in Illinois in the United States, voted the second best place to live in the United States by Money Magazine in 2006. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 141,853. It is the fifth largest city in the state, behind Chicago,...
. She auditioned in Chicago during Season 5 and made it to Hollywood but was cut before the Top 40.
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Charles Christopher "Chris" SlighCharles Christopher Sligh is an American singer; songwriter and producer who was a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol, finishing in tenth place.-Early years:...
(born April 13, 1978) is a -year-old (28 at time of show), hails from Greenville, South Carolina-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
, and graduated from North Greenville UniversityNorth Greenville University is a comprehensive university affiliated with South Carolina Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention, and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The institution awards Bachelor, Master, and...
. He auditioned in Birmingham and sang "Kiss from a Rose"Kiss from a Rose" is a song from Seal's second eponymous album Seal . The song was first released as a single in July 1994. Re-released in 1995, it was included on the Batman Forever film soundtrack, helping it top the charts in the U.S. and Australia. It took the 1996 Grammy Awards for both...
" by SealSeal Henry Olusegun Olumide Adeola Samuel , known simply as Seal, is a British soul and R&B singer-songwriter, of Nigerian and Brazilian background. Seal has won numerous music awards throughout his career, including three Brit Awards—winning Best British Male in 1992, four Grammy Awards, and an...
, after which Paula gave a standing ovation and stated, "I like you very much." Paula, Simon, and Randy laughed at his ambition "to make David HasselhoffDavid Michael Hasselhoff is an American actor, singer, producer and businessman. He is best known for his lead roles as Michael Knight in the popular 1980s US series Knight Rider and as L.A. County Lifeguard Mitch Buchannon in the series Baywatch...
cry" (a nod to the Season 5 finale where David Hasselhoff did, in fact, cry).
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| Stephanie Edwards Stephanie Edwards is an American singer and was the eleventh-place finalist on sixth season of American Idol. She is from Savannah, Georgia and first began singing around the age of two or three...
(born November 5, 1987) is a -year-old (19 at time of show) and from Savannah, GeorgiaSavannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
. She auditioned in Memphis.
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Brandon RogersBrandon Rogers is an American singer who has worked as a professional backup vocalist, and who was the 12th place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol.-Early years:...
(born December 11, 1977) is a -year-old (28 at time of show). He auditioned in Los Angeles and is from North Hollywood, California. Rogers has been a backup singer to established artists, performing on Justin TimberlakeJustin Randall Timberlake is an American pop musician and actor. He achieved early fame when he appeared as a contestant on Star Search, and went on to star in the Disney Channel television series The New Mickey Mouse Club, where he met future bandmate JC Chasez...
and Christina AguileraChristina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...
's 2003 Justified and Stripped TourThe Justified/Stripped Tour was a co-headlining concert tour by American recording artists, Christina Aguilera and Justin Timberlake. The tour supported Aguilera's fourth studio album, Stripped and Timberlake's debut album, Justified...
and AnastaciaAnastacia is an American singer-songwriter. Anastacia has been highly successful in Europe, Asia, South Africa and South America, but has had only minor success in her native United States...
's 2005 Encore Tour. After hearing his audition song, the judges (including guest judge Olivia Newton-JohnOlivia Newton-John AO, OBE is a singer and actress. She is a four-time Grammy award winner who has amassed five No. 1 and ten other Top Ten Billboard Hot 100 singles and two No. 1 Billboard 200 solo albums. Eleven of her singles and 14 of her albums have been certified gold by the RIAA...
) were impressed with his vocals. Simon Cowell later mentioned he was the best auditioner coming from that city.
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(Enrique IglesiasEnrique Iglesias is a Spanish pop music singer, a son of singer Julio Iglesias.Enrique started his musical career on Mexican label Fonovisa...
)
Guest Performance:"Don't Matter"Don't Matter" is a Reggae fusion–R&B song recorded by Akon for his second studio album Konvicted . The song was released as the album's third single in early 2007. In April 2007, it became Akon's first solo U.S. number-one single and second number-one overall. A crucial part of the chorus takes...
" (AkonAliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
) and "Qué Hiciste"Qué Hiciste" is a song by American recording artist Jennifer Lopez. The song was written by Jimena Romero, Julio Reyes, Marc Anthony, and produced by Estéfano and Reyes for Lopez' first full-length Spanish-language album, Como ama una Mujer . According to Lopez, the initial idea for the song came...
" (Jennifer LopezJennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
)
Top 7 - CountryA country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously...
Group Performance:"I'm Alright"I'm Alright" is the title of a song written by Phil Vassar and recorded by American country music singer Jo Dee Messina. It was released in May 1998 as the second single from her 1998 album of the same name. It became her second consecutive Number One hit on the Billboard country charts, spending...
" (Jo Dee MessinaJo Dee Marie Messina , known professionally as Jo Dee Messina, is an American country music artist. She has charted nine Number One singles on the Billboard country music charts. She has been honored by the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and has been nominated for two...
)
Guest Performance:"Big Girls Don't Cry"Big Girls Don't Cry" is a song written by Fergie and Toby Gad for pop singer Fergie's debut solo album The Dutchess . The song was released as the album's fourth single in 2007 and topped the charts in several countries, most notably in Australia , and in...
" (Fergie) and "Anyway"Anyway" is a song co-written and recorded by American country artist Martina McBride. The song was released in November 2006 following a performance on the 2006 CMA Awards, and served as the lead-off single from her ninth studio album, Waking Up Laughing...
" (Martina McBrideMartina McBride is an American country music singer and songwriter. McBride has been called the "Céline Dion of Country Music" for her big-voiced ballads and soprano range....
)
Top 6 (first week) - Inspirational Songs (Idol Gives Back)
Top 6 (second week) - Bon JoviBon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
Guest Performance:"Lost Without U"Lost Without U" is the second official single released from Robin Thicke's second album The Evolution of Robin Thicke .-Writing and inspiration:...
" (Robin ThickeRobin Charles Thicke is an Award-winning American R&B singer-songwriter, musician, composer, and actor. Thicke's albums, which he previously released under the moniker Thicke, are noted for their feature of a predominantly R&B sound. Robin Thicke has penned hits for popular artists such as...
) and "(You Want to) Make a Memory" Make a Memory" is a song by Bon Jovi, which was released as the first single from their tenth studio album Lost Highway. Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child, it was released for radio airplay on March 20, 2007, and for download on the US iTunes Store on April 17, 2007...
" (Bon JoviBon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
)
Top 4 - Barry GibbBarry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
Group Performance:medley of Barry GibbBarry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
songs
Guest Performance:"Who Knew"Who Knew" is a pop rock song written by Pink, Max Martin and Dr. Luke for Pink's fourth album, I'm Not Dead . It was released as the album's second single worldwide in 2006, and was re-released to U.S...
" (PinkAlecia Beth Moore , better known by her stage name Pink , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress....
) and "To Love Somebody"To Love Somebody" is the second single released by the Bee Gees from their third LP, Bee Gees 1st.The band's manager Robert Stigwood wanted Barry Gibb to write a soul song for Otis Redding. Barry, along with Robin wrote "To Love Somebody," a soulful ballad in the style of Sam & Dave or The Rascals...
" (Barry GibbBarry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
)
Top 3 - Judges Choice, Producers choice, Contestants Choice
Guest Performance:"Wait for You"Wait for You" is a song by former American Idol contestant Elliott Yamin. It is the first official single from his self-titled album Elliott Yamin .-Song information:...
" (Elliott YaminElliott Yamin , born Efraym Elliott Yamin, is an American singer known for his hit single "Wait for You" and placing third on the fifth season of American Idol....
) and "Makes Me Wonder"Makes Me Wonder" is the first single released from Maroon 5's second album, It Won't Be Soon Before Long . It premiered on the Las Vegas radio station Mix 94.1, and became an instant hit worldwide. Upon release, the song set a record for the biggest jump to number-one in the history of the...
" (Maroon 5Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. While they were in high school, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Levine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bass guitarist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick formed a garage band called Kara's Flowers and released one album...
)
Top 2 - Contestant Choice, Previous Song, Winning Song
Guest Performance:"Home"Home" is a 2007 song by American rock band Daughtry from their self-titled debut album. The song had been climbing up the U.S. charts for a few weeks before the song was announced as the second single from the album.- Background and production :...
" (Daughtry)
Song themes
Just as was done in season 5, the performers whose themes are performed do not appear as judges. Instead, they "mentor" the contestants on the theme.
- Week 1 [Top 12] (March 13) - Diana Ross
Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
- Diana Ross
- Week 2 [Top 11] (March 20) - British Invasion
The British Invasion is a term used to describe the large number of rock and roll, beat, rock, and pop performers from the United Kingdom who became popular in the United States during the time period from 1964 through 1966.- Background :...
- Peter NoonePeter Noone is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, pianist and actor, best known as "Herman" of the successful 1960s rock group Herman's Hermits.-Early life:...
and LuluLulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day...
- Week 3 [Top 10] (March 27) - No Doubt
No Doubt is an American rock band from Anaheim, California that formed in 1986. The ska-pop sound of their first album No Doubt , failed to make an impact...
and songs by singers who inspired Gwen Stefani - Gwen StefaniGwen Renée Stefani is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer. Stefani is the lead vocalist for the rock and ska band No Doubt. Stefani recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album was inspired by music of the 1980s, and was a success with sales of over...
- Week 4 [Top 9] (April 3) - American Classics
Traditional pop or classic pop or standards music denotes, in general, Western popular music that either wholly predates the advent of rock and roll in the mid-1950s, or to any popular music which exists concurrently to rock and roll but originated in a time before the appearance of rock and roll,...
- Tony BennettTony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
- Week 5 [Top 8] (April 10) - Latin
Latin American music, found within Central and South America, is a series of musical styles and genres that mixes influences from Spanish, African and indigenous sources, that has recently become very famous in the US.-Argentina:...
- Jennifer LopezJennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
- Week 6 [Top 7] (April 17) - Country
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
- Martina McBrideMartina McBride is an American country music singer and songwriter. McBride has been called the "Céline Dion of Country Music" for her big-voiced ballads and soprano range....
- Week 7 [Top 6, Part 1] (April 24) - Inspirational Songs - No mentor
- Week 8 [Top 6, Part 2] (May 1) - Bon Jovi
Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
- Jon Bon JoviJon Bon Jovi is an American musician, singer, songwriter, and actor, best known as the founder, occasional rhythm guitarist, and lead singer of rock band Bon Jovi, which was named after him...
and David BryanDavid Bryan is the keyboard player of the band rock classic, Bon Jovi. Bryan also sings backing vocals and often at live shows sings part of or the whole of the song "In These Arms", one of a handful of Bon Jovi songs credited to him as songwriter...
- Week 9 [Top 4] (May 8) - Songs written by Barry Gibb
Barry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
- Barry Gibb
- Week 10 [Top 3] (May 15) - Judges' choice, producers' choice, contestant's choice
- Week 11 [Top 2] (May 22) - Contestant's choice, song previously sung by contestant, winning song of the American Idol Songwriter Contest
Performers on results shows
- Top 24 - The Top 24 sang "Sowing the Seeds of Love
"Sowing the Seeds of Love" is a 1989 song and single by the British group Tears for Fears from their 1989 album The Seeds of Love.A worldwide hit, it reached the top five in the UK, Canada , Ireland, Italy, New Zealand and the Netherlands. In the US, it peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot...
" by Tears for FearsTears for Fears are an English new wave band formed in the early 1980s by Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith.Founded after the dissolution of their first band, the mod-influenced Graduate, they were initially associated with the New Wave synthesiser bands of the early 1980s but later branched out into...
and FantasiaFantasia Monique Barrino commonly known as Fantasia, is an American R&B singer, Broadway and television actress who rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the reality television series American Idol in 2004. Following her victory, she released her debut single, "I Believe", which...
performed "I'm Here" from The Color PurpleThe Color Purple is a Broadway musical based upon the novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker. It features music and lyrics written by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, with a book by Marsha Norman. It ran on Broadway in 2005 and has been touring throughout the US...
.
- Top 20 - The Top 20 sang "Joy to the World
"Joy to the World" is a song written by Hoyt Axton, and made famous by the band Three Dog Night. The song is also popularly known by its opening words, "Jeremiah was a bullfrog"...
" by Three Dog NightThree Dog Night is an American rock band best known for their music from 1968 to 1975. During that time the band charted 21 Billboard top 40 hits in America, three of which reached Number One...
and Kellie PicklerKellie Dawn Pickler is an American country music artist and television personality. She gained fame as a contestant on the fifth season of the Fox reality show American Idol, eventually finishing in sixth place. In 2006, she signed to 19 Recordings and BNA Records as a recording artist, releasing...
performed "I Wonder."
- Top 16 - The Top 16 sang Stealers Wheel
Stealers Wheel are a Scottish folk rock/rock band formed in Paisley, Renfrewshire in 1972 by former school friends Joe Egan and Gerry Rafferty.The band broke up in 1975 and re-formed without Egan and Rafferty in 2008.-Biography:...
's "Stuck in the Middle with You"Stuck in the Middle with You" is a song written by Gerry Rafferty and Joe Egan and originally performed by their band Stealers Wheel....
" and Carrie UnderwoodCarrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005...
performed "Wasted"Wasted" is Carrie Underwood's sixth and final single from her multi-platinum debut Some Hearts.The single began receiving country radio airplay as an album track, causing it to place on the US Country chart weeks before its official release as a single....
."
- Top 12 - The Top 12 sang a medley of three Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
' hits: "Where Did Our Love Go"Where Did Our Love Go" is a 1964 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, "Where Did Our Love Go" was the first single by the Supremes to go to the number-one position on the Billboard Hot 100 pop singles chart...
," "Baby Love"Baby Love" is a 1964 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland ,...
" and "Stop! In the Name of Love"Stop! In the Name of Love" is a 1965 song recorded by The Supremes for the Motown label.Written and produced by Motown's main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, "Stop! In the Name of Love" held the number-one position on the Billboard pop singles chart in the United States from March 21, 1965...
" and Diana RossDiana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...
performed "More Today Than Yesterday."
- Top 11 - Peter Noone
Peter Noone is an English singer-songwriter, guitarist, pianist and actor, best known as "Herman" of the successful 1960s rock group Herman's Hermits.-Early life:...
performed "There's a Kind of Hush"There's a Kind of Hush" is a popular song written by Les Reed and Geoff Stephens which was a hit in 1967 for Herman's Hermits and again in 1976 for the Carpenters.-First recordings:...
" and LuluLulu Kennedy-Cairns, OBE , best known by her stage name Lulu, is a Scottish singer, actress, and television personality who has been successful in the entertainment business from the 1960s through to the present day...
performed "To Sir, With Love"To Sir With Love" is the theme from the 1967 film To Sir, With Love. The song was written by Don Black and Mark London."To Sir With Love" was initially recorded by Lulu for the film of the same name...
."
- Top 10 - Gwen Stefani
Gwen Renée Stefani is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer. Stefani is the lead vocalist for the rock and ska band No Doubt. Stefani recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album was inspired by music of the 1980s, and was a success with sales of over...
and AkonAliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
performed "The Sweet Escape"The Sweet Escape" is a song by American recording artist Gwen Stefani from her second solo album, The Sweet Escape . It was written by Stefani, Akon, and Giorgio Tuinfort. Akon, who is also a featured artist, developed the song's beat before collaborating with Stefani...
."
- Top 9 - Michael Bublé
Michael Steven Bublé is a Canadian singer. He has won several awards, including three Grammy Awards and multiple Juno Awards. His first album reached the top ten in Canada and the UK. He found worldwide commercial success with his 2005 album It's Time, and his 2007 album Call Me Irresponsible was...
performed "Call Me Irresponsible"Call Me Irresponsible" is a 1962 song composed by Jimmy Van Heusen with lyrics written by Sammy Cahn.According to the Mel Tormé book The Other Side of the Rainbow with Judy Garland on the Dawn Patrol, Van Heusen originally wrote the song for Garland to sing at a CBS dinner...
."
- Top 8 - The Top 8 sang Enrique Iglesias
Enrique Iglesias is a Spanish pop music singer, a son of singer Julio Iglesias.Enrique started his musical career on Mexican label Fonovisa...
's "Bailamos"Bailamos" is a Latin pop song from singer Enrique Iglesias, sung in English and Spanish. It was the debut single of Iglesias in the English-language market, and attained immense success, reaching the #1 spot in the Billboard Hot 100....
", AkonAliaune Damala Badara Thiam, better known as simply Akon , is a Senegalese American R&B recording artist and songwriter.According to Forbes, Akon grossed $21 million in 2010, $20 million in 2009 and $12 million in 2008. He rose to prominence in 2004 following the release of "Locked Up", the first...
performed "Don't Matter"Don't Matter" is a Reggae fusion–R&B song recorded by Akon for his second studio album Konvicted . The song was released as the album's third single in early 2007. In April 2007, it became Akon's first solo U.S. number-one single and second number-one overall. A crucial part of the chorus takes...
" and Jennifer LopezJennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
performed "Qué Hiciste"Qué Hiciste" is a song by American recording artist Jennifer Lopez. The song was written by Jimena Romero, Julio Reyes, Marc Anthony, and produced by Estéfano and Reyes for Lopez' first full-length Spanish-language album, Como ama una Mujer . According to Lopez, the initial idea for the song came...
."
- Top 7 - The Top 7 sang Jo Dee Messina
Jo Dee Marie Messina , known professionally as Jo Dee Messina, is an American country music artist. She has charted nine Number One singles on the Billboard country music charts. She has been honored by the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and has been nominated for two...
's "I'm Alright"I'm Alright" is the title of a song written by Phil Vassar and recorded by American country music singer Jo Dee Messina. It was released in May 1998 as the second single from her 1998 album of the same name. It became her second consecutive Number One hit on the Billboard country charts, spending...
," Fergie performed "Big Girls Don't Cry"Big Girls Don't Cry" is a song written by Fergie and Toby Gad for pop singer Fergie's debut solo album The Dutchess . The song was released as the album's fourth single in 2007 and topped the charts in several countries, most notably in Australia , and in...
" and Martina McBrideMartina McBride is an American country music singer and songwriter. McBride has been called the "Céline Dion of Country Music" for her big-voiced ballads and soprano range....
performed "Anyway"Anyway" is a song co-written and recorded by American country artist Martina McBride. The song was released in November 2006 following a performance on the 2006 CMA Awards, and served as the lead-off single from her ninth studio album, Waking Up Laughing...
."
- Top 6 (Part 1) - Idol Gives Back Special (see below)
- Top 6 (Part 2) - Robin Thicke
Robin Charles Thicke is an Award-winning American R&B singer-songwriter, musician, composer, and actor. Thicke's albums, which he previously released under the moniker Thicke, are noted for their feature of a predominantly R&B sound. Robin Thicke has penned hits for popular artists such as...
performed "Lost Without U"Lost Without U" is the second official single released from Robin Thicke's second album The Evolution of Robin Thicke .-Writing and inspiration:...
." Bon JoviBon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...
performed "(You Want to) Make a Memory" Make a Memory" is a song by Bon Jovi, which was released as the first single from their tenth studio album Lost Highway. Written by Jon Bon Jovi, Richie Sambora and Desmond Child, it was released for radio airplay on March 20, 2007, and for download on the US iTunes Store on April 17, 2007...
."
- Top 4 - The Top 4 sang a medley of Barry Gibb
Barry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
songs, PinkAlecia Beth Moore , better known by her stage name Pink , is an American singer-songwriter, musician and actress....
performed "Who Knew"Who Knew" is a pop rock song written by Pink, Max Martin and Dr. Luke for Pink's fourth album, I'm Not Dead . It was released as the album's second single worldwide in 2006, and was re-released to U.S...
" and Barry GibbBarry Alan Crompton Gibb, CBE , is a singer, songwriter and producer. He was born in the Isle of Man to English parents. With his brothers Robin and Maurice, he formed The Bee Gees, one of the most successful pop groups of all time. The trio got their start in Australia, and found their major...
performed "To Love Somebody"To Love Somebody" is the second single released by the Bee Gees from their third LP, Bee Gees 1st.The band's manager Robert Stigwood wanted Barry Gibb to write a soul song for Otis Redding. Barry, along with Robin wrote "To Love Somebody," a soulful ballad in the style of Sam & Dave or The Rascals...
."
- Top 3 - Elliott Yamin
Elliott Yamin , born Efraym Elliott Yamin, is an American singer known for his hit single "Wait for You" and placing third on the fifth season of American Idol....
performed "Wait for You"Wait for You" is a song by former American Idol contestant Elliott Yamin. It is the first official single from his self-titled album Elliott Yamin .-Song information:...
" and Maroon 5Maroon 5 is an American pop rock band from Los Angeles, California. While they were in high school, lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist Adam Levine, keyboardist Jesse Carmichael, bass guitarist Mickey Madden, and drummer Ryan Dusick formed a garage band called Kara's Flowers and released one album...
performed "Makes Me Wonder"Makes Me Wonder" is the first single released from Maroon 5's second album, It Won't Be Soon Before Long . It premiered on the Las Vegas radio station Mix 94.1, and became an instant hit worldwide. Upon release, the song set a record for the biggest jump to number-one in the history of the...
."
- Final 2 - Daughtry performed "Home
"Home" is a 2007 song by American rock band Daughtry from their self-titled debut album. The song had been climbing up the U.S. charts for a few weeks before the song was announced as the second single from the album.- Background and production :...
" (elimination anthem)
- Season 6 Finale (May 23) - Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Brianne Clarkson is an American pop rock singer-songwriter and actress. Clarkson came into prominence after becoming the winner of the inaugural season of the television series American Idol in 2002 and would later become the runner-up in the television special World Idol in 2003.In 2003,...
, Gwen StefaniGwen Renée Stefani is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer. Stefani is the lead vocalist for the rock and ska band No Doubt. Stefani recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album was inspired by music of the 1980s, and was a success with sales of over...
, Smokey RobinsonWilliam "Smokey" Robinson, Jr. is an American R&B singer-songwriter, record producer, and former record executive. Robinson is one of the primary figures associated with Motown, second only to the company's founder, Berry Gordy...
, Doug E. FreshDouglas E. Davis , better known by the stage name Doug E. Fresh, is an American rapper, record producer, and beat boxer, also known as the Human Beat Box...
, Gladys KnightGladys Maria Knight , known as the "Empress of Soul", is an American singer-songwriter, actress, businesswoman, humanitarian, and author...
, Tony BennettTony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
, BeBeBenjamin "BeBe" Winans is a gospel and R&B singer. He is a member of the noted Winans family, most members of which are also gospel artists.-The PTL Club:...
and CeCe WinansPriscilla "CeCe" Marie Winans Love is an American Gospel singer, who has won numerous Grammy and Stellar Awards.-Early life:CeCe Winans was born in Detroit, Michigan, to David and Delores Winans, on October 8, 1964...
, Joe PerryAnthony Joseph "Joe" Perry is the lead guitarist, backing and occasional lead vocalist, and contributing songwriter for the rock band Aerosmith. He is influenced by many rock artists especially The Rolling Stones and The Beatles...
, Carrie UnderwoodCarrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005...
, Green DayGreen Day is an American punk rock band formed in 1987. The band consists of lead vocalist and guitarist Billie Joe Armstrong, bassist and backing vocalist Mike Dirnt, and drummer Tre Cool...
, Taylor HicksTaylor Reuben Hicks is an American singer who achieved fame in 2006, when he won the fifth season of American Idol. Hicks got his start as a professional musician in his late teens and performed around the Southeastern United States for well over the span of a decade, during which he also released...
, Ruben StuddardChristopher Theodore Ruben Studdard , best known as Ruben Studdard, is an American R&B, pop, and gospel singer. He rose to fame as winner of the second season of American Idol...
, and Bette MidlerBette Midler is an American singer, actress, and comedian, also known by her informal stage name, The Divine Miss M. She became famous as a cabaret and concert headliner, and went on to star in successful and acclaimed films such as The Rose, Ruthless People, Beaches, and For The Boys...
Elimination song
This year, the song played during the flashback to an eliminated contestant's journey is Daughtry's "Home"Home" is a 2007 song by American rock band Daughtry from their self-titled debut album. The song had been climbing up the U.S. charts for a few weeks before the song was announced as the second single from the album.- Background and production :...
," replacing "Bad Day"Bad Day" is a song written and performed by Canadian singer-songwriter Daniel Powter. It was released as the first single from his second album Daniel Powter and achieved the #1 spot in the U.S. and Ireland. In the U.S...
" by Daniel PowterDaniel Richard Powter is a Canadian recording artist. He is known for his hit "Bad Day", which spent five weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100. Powter became the only act to register the #1 hit of the year but chart no other Hot 100 hit.- Life and career :Powter grew up in Vernon, in the...
. The only exception was Phil Stacey, on May 2, 2007, whose exit song was "I'll Stand by You"I'll Stand by You" is a 1994 song recorded by The Pretenders from their sixth studio album, Last of the Independents. Written by Chrissie Hynde in collaboration with the songwriting team of Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg , it was the Pretenders' most recent significant hit single, and their last...
," performed by Carrie UnderwoodCarrie Marie Underwood is an American country singer-songwriter and actress who rose to fame as the winner of the fourth season of American Idol, in 2005...
.
Elimination chart
Note: Bottom 2 indicates that the contestant was 'saved' last. This may or may not indicate his or her actual vote rank. Sometimes, Seacrest will announce that the contestant is in the bottom 2, sometimes he will not. On the March 22 show, only the bottom 2 were announced.
Legend
| Top 24 |
Top 12 |
Winner |
| Safe |
Safe First |
Safe Last |
Eliminated |
| Stage: |
Semi-Finals |
Finals |
| Week: |
2/22 |
3/1 |
3/8 |
3/14 |
3/21 |
3/28 |
4/4 |
4/11 |
4/18 |
| 5/2 |
5/9 |
5/16 |
5/23 |
| Place |
Contestant |
Result |
| 1 |
Jordin Sparks |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Winner |
| 2 |
Blake Lewis |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 3 |
Melinda Doolittle |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top 3 |
|
|
|
|
|
Elim |
|
| 4 |
LaKisha Jones |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top 3 |
|
Bottom 2 |
|
|
Elim |
|
| 5-6 |
Chris Richardson |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elim |
|
| Phil Stacey |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bottom 2 |
|
|
| 7 |
Sanjaya Malakar |
|
|
|
Bottom 2 |
|
|
|
|
Elim |
|
| 8 |
Haley Scarnato |
|
|
|
|
|
Bottom 2 |
Bottom 2 |
Elim |
|
| 9 |
Gina Glocksen |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Elim |
|
| 10 |
Chris Sligh |
|
|
|
|
|
Elim |
|
| 11 |
|
|
|
|
|
Elim |
|
| 12 |
Brandon Rogers |
|
|
|
Elim |
|
| 13-16 |
Sundance Head |
|
|
Elim |
|
| Sabrina Sloan |
|
|
| Antonella Barba |
|
|
| Jared Cotter |
|
|
| 17-20 |
Leslie Hunt |
|
Elim |
|
| A.J. Tabaldo |
|
| Alaina Alexander |
|
| Nicholas Pedro |
|
| 21-24 |
Rudy Cardenas |
Elim |
|
| Nicole Tranquillo |
| Amy Krebs |
| Paul Kim |
During the week of April 25, there was no eliminated contestant. That week's votes were added to the votes for the week of May 2, and the bottom two were then eliminated on the May 3 show. It was never noted who received the lowest number of votes, although Stacey was announced as the first to leave, and Richardson second.
"The Crying Girl"
Ashley Ferl is a 13-year-old girl who has become known for crying during Sanjaya MalakarSanjaya Joseph Malakar is an American singer of Indian origin, who was a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol. He gained national attention on the series, controversially advancing to 7th place with public votes, despite being poorly received by the show's judges, particularly Simon...
's and other contestants' performances on the Top 11 episode of American Idol 6. Ferl's family, who are from Riverside, CaliforniaRiverside is a city in Riverside County, California, United States, and the county seat of the eponymous county. Named for its location beside the Santa Ana River, it is the largest city in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario metropolitan area of Southern California, 4th largest inland California...
, obtained tickets on a website to attend the dress rehearsal of the program. Since Ferl cried a great deal at the rehearsal, producers offered her family seats for the final taping of the episode.
Ferl started to cry not long after Malakar began his performance of "You Really Got Me"You Really Got Me" is a rock song written by Ray Davies and performed by his band, The Kinks. It was released on 4th August 1964 as the group's third single, and reached Number 1 on the UK singles chart the next month, remaining for two weeks...
", and because of this, Sanjaya came down to give her a hug after his performance. She was also shown crying for several more contestants. She admitted that she not only liked Sanjaya but also many other contestants. She has been asked who her favorite contestant is but replies that she has several favorites. At the end of the show, she went on stage a second time, and got a chance to hug and get autographs from all of the contestants and was introduced to the judges; she received a pair of earrings from Paula Abdul before the show began. Television vans from E!E! Entertainment Television is an American basic cable and satellite television network, owned by NBCUniversal. It features entertainment-related programming, reality television, feature films and occasionally series and specials unrelated to the entertainment industry.E! has an audience reach of...
, Access HollywoodAccess Hollywood is a weekday television entertainment news program covering events and celebrities in the entertainment industry. It was created by former Entertainment Tonight executive producer Jim Van Messel, and is currently directed by Robert Silverstein. In previous years, Doug Dougherty and...
and FoxFox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
were waiting outside of her house the next day, and, that evening, NBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
paid for Ferl's entire family to fly to the taping of the Today Show. She subsequently gave several other radio and news interviews to sources such as MSNBCMSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
, Fox News ChannelFox News Channel , often called Fox News, is a cable and satellite television news channel owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a subsidiary of News Corporation...
, and Entertainment TonightEntertainment Tonight is a daily tabloid television entertainment television news show that is syndicated by CBS Television Distribution throughout the United States, Canada and in many countries around the world. Linda Bell Blue is currently the program's executive producer...
.
Saturday Night LiveSaturday Night Live is a live American late-night television sketch comedy and variety show developed by Lorne Michaels and Dick Ebersol. The show premiered on NBC on October 11, 1975, under the original title of NBC's Saturday Night.The show's sketches often parody contemporary American culture...
spoofed both Malakar and Ferl following the former's elimination. Kristen WiigKristen Carroll Wiig is an American film and television actress who currently appears as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. Wiig was a member of improvisational comedy troupe The Groundlings, and has appeared in several films and television series, including Bridesmaids, MacGruber, Flight of...
portrayed Ferl in the sketches. Ferl has also been spoofed on The Ellen DeGeneres ShowThe Ellen DeGeneres Show, often shortened to Ellen, is an American television talk show hosted by comedian/actress Ellen DeGeneres. Debuting on September 8, 2003, it is produced by Telepictures and airs in syndication, including stations owned by NBC Universal. For its first five seasons, the show...
, Live with Regis and KellyLive! with Kelly is a syndicated American television morning talk show, hosted by Kelly Ripa. The show has aired since 1983 in New York City and 1988 nationwide. Tony Pigg has been the show's announcer since its inception...
and Family GuyFamily Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
, as well as mentioned on Best Week EverBest Week Ever is a weekly television program on the United States cable/satellite network VH1. It started airing in 2004 and was put on hiatus in the summer of 2009...
and The SoupThe Soup is an E! Entertainment Television weekly series; it is a revamped version of Talk Soup that focuses on recaps of various pop culture and television show moments of the week...
and shown on Late Show with David LettermanLate Show with David Letterman is a U.S. late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and is produced by Letterman's production company, Worldwide Pants Incorporated. The show's music director and band-leader of the house band, the CBS Orchestra, is...
.
Ashley Ferl returned during Malakar's performance in the finale and was again crying.
She was briefly spoofed on Meet the SpartansMeet the Spartans is a 2008 parody film directed by Jason Friedberg and Aaron Seltzer. Similar to past movies, such as Scary Movie, Date Movie, and most recently Epic Movie, it directs parodies at various films. Although it references many movies, TV shows, people and pop cultural events, it...
.
Ferl appeared on the show yet again during season seven, crying over contestant Jason Castro.
At 16 years old, Ferl auditioned for season 9 of the show, but did not make it to Hollywood.
Idol Gives Back
On the March 8, 2007 results show, Ryan SeacrestRyan John Seacrest is an American radio personality, television host, network producer and voice actor. He is the host of On Air with Ryan Seacrest, a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show that airs on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and throughout the United States and Canada on Premiere Radio Networks,...
announced an initiative to give back to people in poverty in both Africa and the United States (including those affected by Hurricane KatrinaHurricane Katrina of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season was a powerful Atlantic hurricane. It is the costliest natural disaster, as well as one of the five deadliest hurricanes, in the history of the United States. Among recorded Atlantic hurricanes, it was the sixth strongest overall...
). The event took place over two episodes of the series. For every vote cast immediately following the April 24, 2007 broadcast, many sponsors donated funds to the Charity Projects Entertainment FundCharity Projects Entertainment Fund is a North American charity committed to fighting extreme poverty in the US & Africa. It was founded in 2007 by Richard Curtis, Kevin Cahill and Simon Fuller....
. The fund will distribute the money raised to many charities in the US as well as in Africa. News CorporationNews Corporation or News Corp. is an American multinational media conglomerate. It is the world's second-largest media conglomerate as of 2011 in terms of revenue, and the world's third largest in entertainment as of 2009, although the BBC remains the world's largest broadcaster...
pledged to donate 10 cents for every vote made to the show for the first 50 million calls, that is, up to $5 million. MySpaceMyspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
created a special profile page for the event in order to spread the word. Donations from viewers were accepted by phone and website during the April 25, 2007 results show, in a manner similar to a telethon. Near the end of the broadcast, Seacrest announced the show raised 30 million US dollarsThe United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
, with the final tally coming on May 1, 2007. As of May 1, 2007, over $70 million has been raised as a result of Idol Gives Back.
Between contestant performances, video vignettes showing the judges and Seacrest visiting and observing squalid conditions in Africa and the United States were aired. Similar vignettes were aired during the results show. For this special, the voting period was doubled to four hours following the show, rather than the usual two. In response to the anticipated call volume, each contestant was assigned two toll free numbers. Over 70 million votes were cast.
The results show was broadcast from two locations—the regular American Idol stage and Walt Disney Concert HallThe Walt Disney Concert Hall at 111 South Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles, California is the fourth hall of the Los Angeles Music Center. Bounded by Hope Street, Grand Avenue, 1st and 2nd Streets, it seats 2,265 people and serves as the home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic orchestra and the...
—and included many celebrity actors and personalities. The show also included numerous performers; for a full list of performances, see the main articleIdol Gives Back is the name of a charitable campaign that spanned two episodes of American Idol during its sixth season. A second Idol Gives Back concert and fundraiser occurred on April 9, 2008, during the seventh season of the show. Idol Gives Back was not held in 2009 due to the ongoing...
. Ellen DeGeneresEllen Lee DeGeneres is an American stand-up comedienne, television host and actress. She hosts the syndicated talk show The Ellen DeGeneres Show, and was also a judge on American Idol for one year, having joined the show in its ninth season....
co-hosted the event from the Disney Hall stage. Proceeds from ticket sales benefited the fund. Videos of the results show's performances are available for purchase on iTunesiTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
, with proceeds going to charity.
Due to the "charity" theme of the show, no contestant was eliminated on the April 25 results show. This was a surprise both to viewers, to whom Seacrest promised the "most shocking elimination ever," and to the contestants. When Ryan Seacrest was about to eliminate Jordin Sparks he said since it was a charity night none of the contestants were voted off, and the votes from that week were added to the votes from the following week to eliminate two singers. Both weeks saw a two-hour extension of the regular two-hour voting window, and in the end, the two-week combined voting totaled 135 million votes.
American Idol songwriter contest
On the April 3, 2007 show, Ryan SeacrestRyan John Seacrest is an American radio personality, television host, network producer and voice actor. He is the host of On Air with Ryan Seacrest, a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show that airs on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and throughout the United States and Canada on Premiere Radio Networks,...
announced the first American Idol Songwriter: a songwriting contest. Following an open online submission process where over 25,000 submissions were received, twenty songs were selected for competition by Simon FullerSimon Fuller is a British artist manager, television producer and creator of the Idol franchise, first seen as Pop Idol in the UK. Fuller is also the co-creator and executive producer of the Fox TV reality show So You Think You Can Dance and other U.S...
and A&RArtists and repertoire is the division of a record label that is responsible for talent scouting and overseeing the artistic development of recording artists. It also acts as a liaison between artists and the record label.- Finding talent :...
representatives of his 19 Entertainment19 Entertainment, based in Los Angeles, United States, is a creator and producer of entertainment properties based around the areas of Music and Television / Film, including American Idol in the United States, Pop Idol in the United Kingdom as well as versions of the Idol series in more than...
. Beginning May 2, 2007 and ending May 8, 2007, with "one online vote per fan", the American public were able to listen to snippets from each song and rated them on a scale from 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest) on the American Idol Songwriter website. On the May 22, 2007 show, the two finalists performed the winning song, "This Is My Now"This Is My Now" is a song written by Jeff Peabody and Scott Krippayne. It is Jordin Sparks's first single. The top two finalists of the season 6 finale of American Idol. sang it during the May 22 and May 23, 2007 finale shows. It was chosen over thousands of other entries in a songwriting contest...
." The song was released as a single by Jordin SparksJordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop / R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She hails from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history...
, the winner of American Idol Season 6.
The titles of the twenty songs are:
- "Close to Me" - Michael Doane and AnneMarie Milazzo
- "Forever Starts Today" - Erin Boheme and CJ Vanston
- "If You Ask Me To" - Jennifer Hamady and Shedrick Mitchell
- "I'm Going to Be Me" - Lane Lenhart
- "In Your Eyes" - Colin Armstrong
- "I Saw Stars" - Reed Waddle
- "Lost (Without You)" - Cal Harris, Jr.
- "Love Me till the Lonely's Gone" - Michael Patzig and Tracey Naples
- "The Next Big Thing" - Ray Grant and Sam Sims
- "One Night" - Kelley Hill
- "Right Here with Me" - Kelli Trontell and Don Gatlin
- "Secrets and Lies" - Drew Yowell and Byron Zanos
- "Send Me on My Way" - Matthew Rogers and Scott Young
- "Someday" - Nelson Kole
- "This Is My Now" - Jeff Peabody and Scott Krippayne - Contest Winner
- "Tonight" - Kelly Corsino
- "Waking in a Dream" - R. J. Martinez and Stacy Hogan
- "When You Need a Moment" - Christie Leigh
- "With All the Love Your Heart Can Hold" - Robin Randall and Diana De Witt
- "You Never Gave Up on Me" - Billy Aerts and Burton Collins
Controversies
- There was controversy surrounding the judges' comments over the audition of a Special Olympics
Special Olympics is the world's largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, providing year-round training and competitions to more than 3.1 million athletes in 175 countries....
participant named Jonathan Jayne. American Idol producer Ken WarwickKen Warwick is a television executive producer and director, most noted for producing the reality television series American Idol, and Pop Idol. Before being a producer he was a dancer. Warwick has received numerous awards for his television programs including a BAFTA, the Golden Rose of Montreux,...
responded saying that "It's not a conscious decision, It's just that the further we go in the series, there are less and less good singers, so the numbers are made up by more bad ones." Warwick said that he thinks everyone has the right to audition, and added that in some instances when there are singers with certain disabilities who just want to meet the judges, the producers will "turn the cameras off and bring them in. We give them a good experience."
- A series of provocative photos surfaced on the Internet of Season 6 Top 24 Contestant Antonella Barba
Antonella Maria Barba is an American singer who placed in the top 16 on the sixth season of American Idol. She was eliminated before the top 12 were chosen.-Biography:...
.
- Teenager Sanjaya Malakar
Sanjaya Joseph Malakar is an American singer of Indian origin, who was a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol. He gained national attention on the series, controversially advancing to 7th place with public votes, despite being poorly received by the show's judges, particularly Simon...
was sometimes seen as the season's most polarizing and talked about American Idol contestant, as he continued to survive elimination for several weeks. The weblog Vote for the WorstVoteForTheWorst.com is a website that is devoted to voting for the worst, most entertaining, most hated or quirkiest contestants on the Fox Network television series American Idol...
and satellite radio personality Howard SternHoward Allan Stern is an American radio personality, television host, author, and actor best known for his radio show, which was nationally syndicated from 1986 to 2005. He gained wide recognition in the 1990s where he was labeled a "shock jock" for his outspoken and sometimes controversial style...
both encouraged fans to vote for Sanjaya. However, on April 18, after over 38 million votes, Sanjaya was voted off.
- On Tuesday, April 17, 2007, the day after the Virginia Tech massacre
The Virginia Tech massacre was a school shooting that took place on April 16, 2007, on the campus of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia, United States. In two separate attacks, approximately two hours apart, the perpetrator, Seung-Hui Cho, killed 32 people...
, in which a student named Seung-Hui ChoSeung-Hui Cho was a senior-level undergraduate student at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University who killed 32 people and wounded 17 others on April 16, 2007, in the shooting rampage which came to be known as the "Virginia Tech massacre." Cho later committed suicide after law...
used guns to kill 32 students and professors before committing suicide, while contestant Chris RichardsonChristopher Michael "Chris" Richardson is an American singer-songwriter who was the fifth-place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol.-Personal life:...
and Ryan SeacrestRyan John Seacrest is an American radio personality, television host, network producer and voice actor. He is the host of On Air with Ryan Seacrest, a nationally syndicated Top 40 radio show that airs on KIIS-FM in Los Angeles and throughout the United States and Canada on Premiere Radio Networks,...
were discussing the shooting after Chris's critique, Simon CowellSimon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
apparently appeared to be rolling his eyes at the incident, when he was actually speaking to Paula AbdulPaula Julie Abdul is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, choreographer, actress and television personality.In the 1980s, Abdul rose from cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers to highly sought-after choreographer at the height of the music video era before scoring a string of pop music-R&B hits...
and did not hear what Chris had said. On the results show the next day, Cowell stated: "I may not be the nicest person in the world, but I would never, ever, ever, disrespect those families or those victims, and I felt it was important to set the record straight." To clear Cowell's name, a video was shown on the result show which showed Cowell and Abdul talking with an inset of Chris and Seacrest discussing the shooting. Also, Seacrest began the performance show by acknowledging what had happened the day before.
- Fans and critics alike were stunned at Melinda Doolittle
Melinda Marie Doolittle is an American singer who finished as the third place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol...
's departure. Simon CowellSimon Phillip Cowell is an English A&R executive, television producer, entrepreneur, and television personality. He is known in the United Kingdom and United States for his role as a talent judge on TV shows such as Pop Idol, The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol...
admitted that the sixth season's crown should have rightfully gone to Melinda. Executive producer Nigel LythgoeNigel Lythgoe is an English television and film director and producer, and former dancer in the Young Generation and choreographer. He is noted for being the producer of the shows Pop Idol and American Idol as well as being a creator, executive producer and a regular judge for So You Think You Can...
responded, noting that "[Idol producers] were so engrossed with the mentors and didn't really focus on the Melinda Doolittles of the show." Lythgoe also produces So You Think You Can Dance, and has noted that the dance program gives background information about its contestants, while American Idol focused more on its big name celebrity mentors, such as Tony BennettTony Bennett is an American singer of popular music, standards, show tunes, and jazz....
, Gwen StefaniGwen Renée Stefani is an American singer-songwriter and fashion designer. Stefani is the lead vocalist for the rock and ska band No Doubt. Stefani recorded her first solo album Love. Angel. Music. Baby. in 2004. The album was inspired by music of the 1980s, and was a success with sales of over...
, and Jennifer LopezJennifer Lynn Lopez is an American actress, singer, record producer, dancer, television personality, and fashion designer. Lopez began her career as a dancer on the television comedy program In Living Color. Subsequently venturing into acting, she gained recognition in the 1995 action-thriller...
.
- During the finale, the show went over its scheduled 2-hour time limit and ended at 10:09 PM EST. Many TiVo
TiVo is a digital video recorder developed and marketed by TiVo, Inc. and introduced in 1999. TiVo provides an on-screen guide of scheduled broadcast programming television programs, whose features include "Season Pass" schedules which record every new episode of a series, and "WishList"...
users claimed the recording show cut off before the new American IdolJordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop / R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She hails from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history...
was announced shortly after 10 PM. Fox executives apologized; but this is not the only time the finale exceeded its time limit.
US Nielsen ratings
American Idol ended the season as the top show of the 2006-2007 TV season. Its Wednesday episodes ranked first with an average of 30.02 million viewers, followed by the Tuesday episodes which averaged 29.54 million.
| Episode list |
EWLINE
| Show |
Episode |
Air date |
Week rank |
Rating/Share |
18-49
rating/Share |
Viewers
(in millions) |
| 1 |
"Minneapolis Auditions" |
January 16, 2007 |
3 |
20.3 / 29 |
15.8 / 36 |
37.44 |
| 2 |
"Seattle Auditions" |
January 17, 2007 |
4 |
20.1 / 30 |
15.5 / 36 |
36.94 |
| 3 |
"Memphis Auditions" |
January 23, 2007 |
2 |
18.0 / 26 |
13.3 / 33 |
32.60 |
| 4 |
"New York Auditions" |
January 24, 2007 |
1 |
18.9 / 28 |
14.1 / 35 |
33.87 |
| 5 |
"Birmingham Auditions" |
January 30, 2007 |
4 |
18.6 /28 |
13.5 / 33 |
33.65 |
| 6 |
"Los Angeles Auditions" |
January 31, 2007 |
5 |
18.0 / 27 |
13.7 / 32 |
31.85 |
| 7 |
"San Antonio Auditions" |
February 6, 2007 |
1 |
18.4 / 27 |
13.5 / 33 |
33.36 |
| 8 |
"Best of the Rest" |
February 7, 2007 |
2 |
15.9 / 23 |
12.0 / 27 |
27.91 |
| 9 |
"Hollywood Round, Part 1" |
February 13, 2007 |
1 |
17.4 / 25 |
13.0 / 31 |
31.20 |
| 10 |
"Hollywood Round, Part 2" |
February 14, 2007 |
2 |
16.2 / 24 |
12.2 / 29 |
28.89 |
| 11 |
"Top 12 Men Perform" |
February 20, 2007 |
3 |
16.5 / 25 |
11.8 / 30 |
29.53 |
| 12 |
"Top 12 Women Perform" |
February 21, 2007 |
2 |
17.2 / 26 |
12.3 / 31 |
30.46 |
| 13 |
"Top 24 Results" |
February 22, 2007 |
6 |
14.1 / 21 |
9.1 / 23 |
24.44 |
| 14 |
"Top 10 Men Perform" |
February 27, 2007 |
1 |
17.1 / 26 |
12.2 / 30 |
30.65 |
| 15 |
"Top 10 Women Perform" |
February 28, 2007 |
2 |
17.5 / 27 |
11.9 / 30 |
29.78 |
| 16 |
"Top 20 Results" |
March 1, 2007 |
3 |
15.5 / 23 |
10.5 / 26 |
27.39 |
| 17 |
"Top 8 Men Perform" |
March 6, 2007 |
2 |
15.9 / 24 |
10.9 / 29 |
27.95 |
| 18 |
"Top 8 Women Perform" |
March 7, 2007 |
1 |
16.7 / 26 |
11.2 / 30 |
28.55 |
| 19 |
"Top 12 Revealed" |
March 8, 2007 |
3 |
16.0 / 25 |
10.4 / 28 |
27.52 |
| 20 |
"Top 12 Perform" |
March 13, 2007 |
1 |
17.1 / 27 |
11.7 / 31 |
29.83 |
| 21 |
"Top 12 Results" |
March 14, 2007 |
2 |
16.2 / 26 |
10.1 / 26 |
26.18 |
| 22 |
"Top 11 Perform" |
March 20, 2007 |
1 |
17.9 / 27 |
11.8 / 30 |
29.96 |
| 23 |
"Top 11 Results" |
March 21, 2007 |
2 |
18.0 / 27 |
10.4 / 27 |
27.08 |
| 24 |
"Top 10 Perform" |
March 27, 2007 |
1 |
16.2 / 26 |
11.0 / 30 |
28.18 |
| 25 |
"Top 10 Results" |
March 28, 2007 |
2 |
16.2 / 25 |
10.9 / 28 |
26.89 |
| 26 |
"Top 9 Perform" |
April 3, 2007 |
1 |
15.7 / 25 |
10.4 / 29 |
26.67 |
| 27 |
"Top 9 Results" |
April 4, 2007 |
2 |
15.5 / 24 |
9.9 / 26 |
26.10 |
| 28 |
"Top 8 Perform" |
April 10, 2007 |
2 |
15.6 / 24 |
10.3 / 29 |
26.78 |
| 29 |
"Top 8 Results" |
April 11, 2007 |
1 |
16.5 / 25 |
11.1 / 27 |
28.56 |
| 30 |
"Top 7 Perform" |
April 17, 2007 |
2 |
15.4 / 24 |
10.2 / 28 |
26.55 |
| 31 |
Top 7 Results" |
April 18, 2007 |
1 |
17.2 / 26 |
11.2 / 28 |
28.93 |
| 32 |
"Top 6 Perform" |
April 24, 2007 |
2 |
15.7 / 25 |
10.0 / 28 |
26.55 |
| 33 |
""Idol Gives Back" |
April 25, 2007 |
1 |
15.6 / 25 |
10.2 / 27 |
26.93 |
| 34 |
"Top 6 Performs again" |
May 1, 2007 |
2 |
15.7 / 25 |
10.2 / 29 |
26.73 |
| 35 |
"Top 6 Results" |
May 2, 2007 |
1 |
17.0 / 26 |
11.0 / 28 |
28.75 |
| 36 |
"Top 4 Perform" |
May 8, 2007 |
2 |
15.1 / 25 |
9.3 / 28 |
25.47 |
| 37 |
"Top 4 Results" |
May 9, 2007 |
1 |
16.9 / 26 |
10.8 / 28 |
28.20 |
| 38 |
"Top 3 Perform" |
May 15, 2007 |
2 |
14.1 / 23 |
9.4 / 26 |
24.23 |
| 39 |
"Top 3 Results" |
May 16, 2007 |
1 |
16.5 / 25 |
10.8 / 28 |
28.05 |
| 40 |
"Top 2 Perform" |
May 22, 2007 |
2 |
14.9 / 24 |
9.7 / 27 |
25.33 |
| 41 |
Season 6 Finale" |
May 23, 2007 |
1 |
17.8 / 29 |
11.5 / 29 |
30.74 |
|
UK edition
For the UK back-to-back repeat of the performance and results shows on the following Friday night on ITV2ITV2 is a 24 hour, free-to-air entertainment television channel in the United Kingdom owned by ITV Digital Channels Ltd, a division of ITV plc. It was launched on 7 December 1998, and is available on digital television via satellite, cable, IPTV and terrestrial platforms. The channel has the...
, Cat DeeleyCatherine Elizabeth "Cat" Deeley is an English television presenter and model. Since 2006, Deeley has also been the host of So You Think You Can Dance in the United States, for which she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Host for a Reality or Reality-Competition...
presents additional sections preceding and following each commercial break, and follows the end of the show with a short interview with that week's eliminated contestant.
Major releases
Unlike previous seasons the top 12 compilation album did not come out while the show was airing. The top 12 recorded studio versions of each of the songs they sang on the show. The songs were available for purchase on AmericanIdol.comNews Corporation's Digital Media Group , also known as News Corp. Digital Media and formerly Fox Interactive Media, oversees the Internet business operations of media giant News Corporation, and was formed to oversee News Corporation's new media acquisitions, including IGN Entertainment, MySpace...
as digital downloadA music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
s through the night of the finale. Sparks' and Lewis' songs (except Sparks' "Livin' on a Prayer") remained available on the Idol website and iTunes StoreThe iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
through June 20, 2007,.
Originally, a collage of the finalists' head shots from the top 24 photo shoot was used as album art on AmericanIdol.com, with the title American Idol 6: Greatest Moments; at present, the covers of Sparks' and Lewis' EPs are used instead. The American Idol: Season 6 - "Greatest Hits" & "The Collector's Edition"American Idol: Greatest Hits was released on iTunes on June 12, 2007. The album was finally released almost a month after the May finale. The album contains 11 cover songs, by the finalists and Jordin Sparks' winning single. The Collector's Edition contains 76 songs and includes cover songs by...
were eventually released on June 12, 2007 on iTunes/Americanidol.com. This is the only season that the season's collection is not distributed by Sony BMG/RCA RecordsRCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
.
Sparks' first non-American Idol single was the top hit (peaking at #8) "Tattoo", which received platinum certification. Her second single was the Billboard Hot 100 #3 hit "No Air"No Air" is a song by American recording artist Jordin Sparks featuring American R&B singer Chris Brown. The song was written by James Fauntleroy II, Eric Griggs, Michael Scala, Harvey Mason, Jr., Damon Thomas and Steve Russell...
" with Chris Brown. The song went to #1 in several countries, and also topped Billboard's Pop Airplay chart. "No Air" had been certified platinum in April but recently passed the 3 million copies mark. It stands as the best-selling single by any Idol contestant. Sparks released a third single off her album, "One Step at a Time"One Step at a Time" is the third single from American Pop/R&B singer Jordin Sparks, from her eponymous debut album. Written by Robbie Nevil, Lauren Evans, Jonas Jeberg and Mich Hansen the song was released in the U.S. on June 10, 2008...
", which peaked at #17. "One Step at a Time" has so far sold over a million copies and is certified platinum. Sparks released her second album BattlefieldBattlefield is the second studio album by American R&B and pop singer Jordin Sparks. It was first released on July 17, 2009 in Australia and Ireland, July 20 in the UK and from July 21 worldwide, on Jive Records...
in July 2009. The album's title track"Battlefield" is a song performed by American recording artist Jordin Sparks, taken from her second studio album of the same name. The song was written by Wayne Wilkins, Ryan Tedder, Louis Biancaniello and Sam Watters. It was released as the album's lead single in the United States on May 8, 2009...
became Jordin's fifth top 20 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 10. This makes Jordin Sparks the only American Idol contestant to have their first five singles become Top 20 Hits.
Blake Lewis's first single was "Break Anotha!"Break Anotha" is the official debut single of Blake Lewis, the runner-up on the sixth season of American Idol. Being the leadoff single from A.D.D. , it was first leaked on October 29, 2007 via phone to fans who had signed up at . The single began to impact the radio on October 30 and was...
", which failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. His second single, "How Many Words"How Many Words" is the official second single by singer/songwriter Blake Lewis, from his debut album A.D.D. . The song was expected to be followed by "Know My Name", and then "Without You". However, due to being dropped by Arista Records, "How Many Words" is the final single from his debut album...
", also failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at #25 in the Bubbling Under chart (Hot 100 equivalent = 125). Shortly afterward, Lewis confirmed that he had been dropped by Arista records. His album sales are just over 300,000. The drop also canceled his apparent plans for a third single release.
Singles
"This Is My Now"This Is My Now" is a song written by Jeff Peabody and Scott Krippayne. It is Jordin Sparks's first single. The top two finalists of the season 6 finale of American Idol. sang it during the May 22 and May 23, 2007 finale shows. It was chosen over thousands of other entries in a songwriting contest...
" as performed by Jordin SparksJordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop / R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She hails from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history...
was released as a radio singleA promotional recording, or promo, is an audio or video recording distributed for free, usually in order to promote a recording that is or soon will be commercially available...
. It debuted on the Billboard Hot 100The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
chart at number 15.
iTunes/AmericanIdol.com EPs
On May 24, 2007, the winner Jordin SparksJordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop / R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She hails from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history...
and runner-up Blake LewisBlake Colin Lewis is an American singer-songwriter and beatboxer who was the runner-up on the sixth season of American Idol. His major label debut album A.D.D. was released on December 4, 2007 through 19 Recordings/Arista Records. On October 30, 2007, his first single "Break Anotha" was released....
released five-song EPAn EP is a musical recording which contains more music than a single, but is too short to qualify as a full album or LP. The term EP originally referred only to specific types of vinyl records other than 78 rpm standard play records and LP records, but it is now applied to mid-length Compact...
s on iTunes StoreThe iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
; though only iTunes calls them "EPs", they are also available as "bundles" for the same price on AmericanIdol.com through June 20, 2007.
Sparks' EPJordin Sparks is an EP by American Idol season 6 winner Jordin Sparks. Sparks performed a song for the show each week of the season, and each song appeared on the day after the performance for sale as a studio version...
contained the winner's single, "This Is My Now"This Is My Now" is a song written by Jeff Peabody and Scott Krippayne. It is Jordin Sparks's first single. The top two finalists of the season 6 finale of American Idol. sang it during the May 22 and May 23, 2007 finale shows. It was chosen over thousands of other entries in a songwriting contest...
", as well as four songs she performed on Idol: "I (Who Have Nothing)"I " is a song originally released in English by Ben E. King in 1963."I " is based on the Italian song "Uno Dei Tanti," with music by Carlo Donida and lyrics by Giulio "Mogol" Rapetti. "Uno Dei Tanti" was released by Joe Sentieri in 1961...
", "A Broken Wing"A Broken Wing" is a song recorded by American country music singer Martina McBride, written by Phil Barnhart, Sam Hogin and James House. It appears on McBride's 1997 album Evolution, from which it was released as the second single...
", "To Love Somebody"To Love Somebody" is the second single released by the Bee Gees from their third LP, Bee Gees 1st.The band's manager Robert Stigwood wanted Barry Gibb to write a soul song for Otis Redding. Barry, along with Robin wrote "To Love Somebody," a soulful ballad in the style of Sam & Dave or The Rascals...
", and "Wishing on a Star"Wishing on a Star" is a 1978 hit single by Rose Royce for Whitfield Records.-Background:Included on their second album, Rose Royce II: In Full Bloom, "Wishing on a Star" is a slow ballad written by Billie Rae Calvin and produced by Norman Whitfield. The lyrics concern a woman longing for the...
".
Lewis' EPBlake Lewis is an EP by Blake Lewis, the runner-up on the sixth season of American Idol. It was released digitally on May 22, 2007.-Background:...
did not contain "This Is My Now"; all of the tracks were songs he performed on the show: "You Give Love a Bad Name"You Give Love a Bad Name" is a song written by Jon Bon Jovi, Desmond Child, and Richie Sambora about a woman who has jilted her lover. Although originally written for the band Loverboy, the song was recorded by Bon Jovi...
", "Time of the Season"Time of the Season" is a song by The Zombies, featured on their 1968 album Odessey and Oracle. It was written by keyboard player Rod Argent and recorded at Abbey Road Studios in August 1967.-Song information:...
", "I Need to Know"I Need to Know" is a song by Marc Anthony, and was released as the lead single of his first English language album Marc Anthony, in August 1999.-Song information:...
", "Love Song", and "When the Stars Go Blue- Music video : The video for "When the Stars Go Blue" is pieced together from the "Live" session at VH1.- Charts :-Tim McGraw cover:In 2006, the song was released by Tim McGraw as the first single from his album Tim McGraw Reflected: Greatest Hits Vol. 2, with added country-style and more...
".
On June 12, 2007, Apple released five song EPs for the rest of the top 12 finalists (Melinda DoolittleMelinda Marie Doolittle is an American singer who finished as the third place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol...
, LaKisha JonesLaKisha Ann Jones is an American singer. She placed fourth on the sixth season of American Idol.-Personal life:Jones was born at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, to a teacher at the Flint Foundation Academy...
, Chris RichardsonChristopher Michael "Chris" Richardson is an American singer-songwriter who was the fifth-place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol.-Personal life:...
, Phil StaceyJoel Philip "Phil" Stacey is an American singer who first gained national attention on season 6 of the television talent show American Idol. After being eliminated from the competition on May 2, 2007, he was signed to a recording contract with Lyric Street Records...
, Sanjaya MalakarSanjaya Joseph Malakar is an American singer of Indian origin, who was a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol. He gained national attention on the series, controversially advancing to 7th place with public votes, despite being poorly received by the show's judges, particularly Simon...
, Haley ScarnatoHaley Suzanne Scarnato is an American singer who was the 8th-place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol. Scarnato announced in an interview in November 2009, her album Strongheart was scrapped after she left her management, but is working on a new album and "Strongheart" was her old...
, Gina GlocksenGina Glocksen was the ninth-place finisher on the sixth season of American Idol. She was eliminated on April 4, 2007. She previously appeared in season 5...
, Chris SlighCharles Christopher Sligh is an American singer; songwriter and producer who was a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol, finishing in tenth place.-Early years:...
, Stephanie EdwardsStephanie Edwards is an American singer and was the eleventh-place finalist on sixth season of American Idol. She is from Savannah, Georgia and first began singing around the age of two or three...
and Brandon RogersBrandon Rogers is an American singer who has worked as a professional backup vocalist, and who was the 12th place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol.-Early years:...
) along with the compilation album as a collector's edition of the season's songs. Each of the songs are also available for individual purchase.
Individual albums
- Jordin Sparks
Jordin Sparks is the debut studio album by American pop and R&B singer Jordin Sparks. It was released on November 20, 2007 in the United States and November 27, 2007 in Canada and Christian music stores. In United States it debuted at #10 on the Billboard 200 with sales of 119,000 copies in the...
(Jordin SparksJordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop / R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She hails from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history...
)
- A.D.D. (Audio Day Dream)
A.D.D. is the debut studio album by Blake Lewis, the runner-up on the sixth season of American Idol. It was released in the United States and Canada on December 4, 2007. The first single is "Break Anotha" and was released to radio on October 30...
(Blake LewisBlake Colin Lewis is an American singer-songwriter and beatboxer who was the runner-up on the sixth season of American Idol. His major label debut album A.D.D. was released on December 4, 2007 through 19 Recordings/Arista Records. On October 30, 2007, his first single "Break Anotha" was released....
)
- Phil Stacey
Phil Stacey is the self-titled debut album of American country music singer Phil Stacey, released on April 29, 2008 on Lyric Street Records...
(Phil StaceyJoel Philip "Phil" Stacey is an American singer who first gained national attention on season 6 of the television talent show American Idol. After being eliminated from the competition on May 2, 2007, he was signed to a recording contract with Lyric Street Records...
)
- Running Back To You
"Running Back to You" is the lead single from Vanessa Williams' second studio album, The Comfort Zone .The single became one of the biggest hits of her career; it topped Billboards Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart for two weeks from October 5 to October 12, 1991 and reached number eighteen on the...
(Chris SlighCharles Christopher Sligh is an American singer; songwriter and producer who was a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol, finishing in tenth place.-Early years:...
)
- Coming Back to You
Coming Back to You is the title of Melinda Doolittle's first album, released on February 3, 2009. The album consists of covers, such as "Dust My Broom" from the 1930s, "Wonderful", from Aretha Franklin's 2003 release So Damn Happy, and the title track, originally recorded by Macy Gray for the film...
(Melinda DoolittleMelinda Marie Doolittle is an American singer who finished as the third place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol...
)
- So Glad I'm Me
So Glad I'm Me is the title of LaKisha Jones' debut album, which was released on May 19, 2009. The first single entitled "So Glad I'm Me" was released to iTunes in November 2008....
(LaKisha JonesLaKisha Ann Jones is an American singer. She placed fourth on the sixth season of American Idol.-Personal life:Jones was born at Hurley Medical Center in Flint, Michigan, to a teacher at the Flint Foundation Academy...
)
- Battlefield
Battlefield is the second studio album by American R&B and pop singer Jordin Sparks. It was first released on July 17, 2009 in Australia and Ireland, July 20 in the UK and from July 21 worldwide, on Jive Records...
(Jordin SparksJordin Brianna Sparks is an American pop / R&B singer-songwriter and actress. She hails from Glendale, Arizona who rose to fame as the winner of the sixth season of American Idol. Sparks won when she was 17 years old, making her the youngest winner in Idol history...
)
- Into the Light
Into the Light is the second studio album by American singer Phil Stacey. It is the followup to his 2008 self-titled debut, which was released to country music. Into the Light is a CCM album, released on Reunion Records. The album's final track, "Old Glory," was previously released as a promotional...
(Phil StaceyJoel Philip "Phil" Stacey is an American singer who first gained national attention on season 6 of the television talent show American Idol. After being eliminated from the competition on May 2, 2007, he was signed to a recording contract with Lyric Street Records...
)
- Heartbreak on Vinyl
Heartbreak on Vinyl is the second studio album by singer-songwriter Blake Lewis released on October 6, 2009. A double LP pressed on red vinyl with only 500 copies will be released on August 13...
(Blake LewisBlake Colin Lewis is an American singer-songwriter and beatboxer who was the runner-up on the sixth season of American Idol. His major label debut album A.D.D. was released on December 4, 2007 through 19 Recordings/Arista Records. On October 30, 2007, his first single "Break Anotha" was released....
)
Minor or independent releases
Phil Stacey, tied for fifth place with Chris Richardson, is now signed to Lyric Street and has released his first single "If You Didn't Love Me". Richardson recently produced his first single, "All Alone." Tenth place finalist Chris Sligh recently released a Christian album after signing with Brash Music.
Note: this does not include pre-Idol releases
- All Alone (Chris Richardson
Christopher Michael "Chris" Richardson is an American singer-songwriter who was the fifth-place finalist on the sixth season of American Idol.-Personal life:...
)
- My Funny Valentine (Melinda Doolittle)
- For My Lady Love (Sherman Pore)
- Didn't Matter That (Sarah Burgess
Sarah Burgess is an American singer-songwriter and was a contestant on the sixth season of the television series American Idol . She signed with indie label, PME Records in 2007, and released her album One in 2008 to stores in the US. In 2009, her album was released in Japan stores...
, single)
- On Our Way (Stephanie Edwards
Stephanie Edwards is an American singer and was the eleventh-place finalist on sixth season of American Idol. She is from Savannah, Georgia and first began singing around the age of two or three...
, single)
- The Thrill of Hope (Sean Michel
Sean Michel is a musician who hails from Bryant, Arkansas. He was initially known most widely for his appearance on American Idol Season 6. However, he toured with his band for at least two years prior to his appearance on the show, and continues to gain an increasing audience worldwide...
)
- Fly Away (Amanda Coluccio, single)
- Here I Am (Stephanie Edwards, single)
- Dancing to the Music in my Head (Sanjaya Malakar
Sanjaya Joseph Malakar is an American singer of Indian origin, who was a finalist on the sixth season of American Idol. He gained national attention on the series, controversially advancing to 7th place with public votes, despite being poorly received by the show's judges, particularly Simon...
, EP)
- Now That I Found You (Amanda Coluccio, single)
- One (Sarah Burgess)
Source - IdolsMusic.com
Related shows
TV Guide ChannelTV Guide Network is an American cable network owned by Lions Gate Entertainment Corporation....
brought back a second season of Idol Tonight, the live pre-show to American Idol, which aired on Wednesdays starting in March. The show features former Idol runner-up Justin GuariniJustin Guarini is an American singer/songwriter and actor who rose to fame in 2002 as the first runner-up on the debut season of the television show American Idol.-Background:...
as a correspondent along with Kimberly CaldwellKimberly Ann Caldwell is an American singer, actress, and television hostess, from Katy, Texas who was the seventh place finalist on the second season of American Idol. She used to work as an entertainment correspondent and hosted various shows on the TV Guide Network...
and Rosanna TavarezRosanna Tavarez is a Dominican American entertainment reporter and presenter on television. Tavarez stars on TV Guide Channel alongside former American Idol contestants Kimberly Caldwell and Justin Guarini. She started off on Mun2, a Telemundo cable channel, hosting a show...
. Additionally American Idol ExtraAmerican Idol Extra was a television show that was shown on the Fox Reality Channel and Star! and billed as "the show that picks up right where American Idol leaves off"...
, a behind-the-scenes show, also returned for a second season, corresponding with the start of the finals in March. It aired Thursdays on Fox Reality.
External links