American Idol 8
American Idol 8 (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)
The eighth season of American Idol premiered on January 13, 2009, and concluded on May 20, 2009. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson continued to judge the show's contestants, along with Ryan Seacrest as host. The season introduced Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge on the Idol panel. It was also Abdul's final season as a judge. Kris Allen, a native of Conway, Arkansas, was announced the winner of the competition on May 20, 2009, defeating runner-up Adam Lambert after nearly 100 million votes. Kris Allen is the only married winner of the competition at the time of his victory. This was the second season where both of the final 2 contestants had been in the bottom 3 or 2 at least once before the finale, with the first being season 3.The eighth season saw numerous changes to the format of the show. There were 36 semi-finalists instead of 24, and thirteen finalists instead of twelve, nine contestants chosen by the public and four by the judges in a wild card round. Another addition was the "save," which was used on the top seven results show to veto Matt Giraud's elimination.
The winner Kris Allen was then signed to 19 Entertainment/Jive Records. In addition to Allen, Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta, Lil Rounds and Michael Sarver all signed record deals. Anoop Desai signed an independent record deal.
Changes from Season 7
Several changes were planned for season 8. Fox Entertainment president Kevin Reilly stated that Idol would feature fewer "William Hung-like" contestants and "funny auditions," and would quickly move its focus to the potential singers during the earlier stages of the competition, thus moving the season at a faster pace. Mike Darnell, president of Fox's alternative programming, said the contestants would be more emotional and that viewers would learn more about them and their pasts than they had in the previous season. Songwriter and record producer Kara DioGuardi was added as a fourth judge on the panel. She had previously collaborated with Celine Dion, Hilary Duff, Britney Spears, Enrique Iglesias, Leona Lewis and Christina Aguilera, and produced several Top 40 hits. As a songwriter, she had already worked with several American Idol alumni and winners, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood, David Archuleta and David Cook. Meanwhile, Ken Warwick became the new executive producer, as Nigel Lythgoe had left the show to focus on So You Think You Can Dance and his new show with Simon Fuller, Superstars of Dance. Idol Gives Back was canceled for season 8, as the ongoing economic crisis and recession, left Idol officials uncomfortable asking financially struggling viewers to donate. The semifinals saw the biggest change as the wild card round returned for the first time since the third season. After voters picked three finalists from each of three groups of 12 semi-finalists, the judges selected eight of the previously eliminated 27 semifinalists to return and perform a song on the March 5, 2009, show. They were judged by the panel, instead of a vote by the viewers, with four advancing to the finals. Although the finals had been billed from the beginning of the season as a set of 12 contestants, the judges announced at the last minute that they would be advancing a fourth wild card/thirteenth contestant, Anoop Desai, as well. The eighth season also marked the first time that auditions were conducted outside the United States, when the show traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico to screen potential contestants. Several people from Puerto Rico were eventually selected for the semi-final rounds of the show.Judges' Save
Another change in the Idol format is judges' save, an element previously used in France's Nouvelle Star (French Idol). The judges were given the power to exercise a veto on one eliminated contestant in the finals and spare them from elimination for that particular week. This can only be invoked up until the Final 5. The following week two contestants will be eliminated if the save is used because nobody is eliminated on the week that the save is used, except in season 11 where one only contestant was eliminated. The save can only be used once per season and it must be unanimous. The new format change was revealed on March 11, 2009. The first recipient of the Judges' Save is Matt Giraud.Regional auditions
Auditions began July 17 the previous year, and were held in the following cities:Episode Air Date | Audition City | Date | First Audition Venue | Callback Date | Callback Venue | Golden Tickets |
January 13, 2009 | Phoenix, Arizona | July 25, 2008 | Jobing.com Arena, Glendale | September 2008 | The Boulders, Scottsdale | 27 |
January 14, 2009 | Kansas City, Missouri | August 8, 2008 | Kemper Arena | October 5, 2008 | Firestone Building | 27 |
January 20, 2009 | San Francisco, California | July 17, 2008 | Cow Palace | September 13, 2008 | Westin St. Francis | 12 |
January 21, 2009 | Louisville, Kentucky | July 21, 2008 | Freedom Hall | September 7"8, 2008 | Churchill Downs | 19 |
January 27, 2009 | Jacksonville, Florida | August 13, 2008 | Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena | September 3, 2008 | Amelia Island Plantation | 16 |
January 28, 2009 | Salt Lake City, Utah | July 29, 2008 | EnergySolutions Arena | September 18"19, 2008 | Wells Fargo Center | 13 |
January 29, 2009 | New York, New York | August 19, 2008 | Izod Center, East Rutherford | August 26, 2008 | Chelsea Piers, New York | 26 |
San Juan, Puerto Rico | August 2, 2008 | Coliseo de Puerto Rico | September 2008 | Conrad San Juan Condado Plaza | 9 | |
Total Tickets to Hollywood | 149 |
One auditioner who received widespread publicity was Katrina Darrell, also known as "Bikini Girl", for auditioning in her bikini. She reached the Hollywood stage but was cut in the group round.
Hollywood week
For this season, the Hollywood round moved from the Orpheum Theatre to the Kodak Theatre, which was previously used for the finale in seasons 1 and 3"6. In addition, the Hollywood round was extended to two weeks.In the first round, the 147 contestants each sang a short solo a cappella performance of any song. The next round had the remaining 107 contestants performing in groups of three or four. Group rounds had returned since season 6. The 72 contestants that passed group day performed one more solo song, this time accompanied by a band, before being narrowed down to 54. The final 54 then went to the "judges' mansion" in Los Angeles for the final results, and the Top 36 were announced. Some contestants had a sing-off to determine who would enter the top 36. Lacey Brown, who lost in a sing-off with 9th placer Megan Joy, later made the following season's Top 12 where she became the first finalist voted out.
Semi-finals
The top 36 were announced in a special two-hour broadcast on Wednesday, February 11, 2009.All 36 contestants, performing in three groups of twelve, sang songs that were Billboard Hot 100 Hits.
Below are the three semi-final groups with contestants listed in their performance order. In each group, three people advanced to the next round, based on votes by the viewers. The top male and female recipient advanced, along with the next highest vote recipient of the remaining ten contestants in each group. Each week two males advanced however it was never revealed who was the highest voted and which advanced through the non-gender specific slot. Following those nine singers advancing, eight of the remaining 27 semi-finalists were selected by the judges to compete in the Wild Card round. Following another performance by each Wild Card contender, the judges selected four contestants to advance to the final group of 13.
Semi-Final Group 1 " Billboard Hot 100 hits
Order | Contestant | Song (original artist) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Jackie Tohn | "A Little Less Conversation" (Elvis Presley) | Eliminated |
2 | Ricky Braddy | "A Song for You" (Leon Russell) | Wild Card |
3 | Alexis Grace | "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" (Aretha Franklin) | Advanced |
4 | Brent Keith | "Hicktown" (Jason Aldean) | Eliminated |
5 | Stevie Wright | "You Belong with Me" (Taylor Swift) | Eliminated |
6 | Anoop Desai | "Angel of Mine" (Eternal) | Wild Card |
7 | Casey Carlson | "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" (The Police) | Eliminated |
8 | Michael Sarver | "I Don't Want to Be" (Gavin DeGraw) | Advanced |
9 | Ann Marie Boskovich | "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" (Aretha Franklin) | Eliminated |
10 | Stephen Fowler | "Rock with You" (Michael Jackson) | Eliminated |
11 | Tatiana Del Toro | "Saving All My Love for You" (Marilyn McCoo) | Wild Card |
12 | Danny Gokey | "Hero" (Mariah Carey) | Advanced |
Semi-Final Group 2 " Billboard Hot 100 hits
Order | Contestant | Song (original artist) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Jasmine Murray | "Love Song" (Sara Bareilles) | Wild Card |
2 | Matt Giraud | "Viva la Vida" (Coldplay) | Wild Card |
3 | Jeanine Vailes | "This Love" (Maroon 5) | Eliminated |
4 | Nick Mitchell | "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" (Jennifer Holliday) | Eliminated |
5 | Allison Iraheta | "Alone" (i-TEN) | Advanced |
6 | Kris Allen | "Man in the Mirror" (Michael Jackson) | Advanced |
7 | Megan Joy | "Put Your Records On" (Corinne Bailey Rae) | Wild Card |
8 | Matt Breitzke | "If You Could Only See" (Tonic) | Eliminated |
9 | Jesse Langseth | "Bette Davis Eyes" (Jackie DeShannon) | Wild Card |
10 | Kai Kalama | "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" (Jimmy Ruffin) | Eliminated |
11 | Mishavonna Henson | "Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)" (Train) | Eliminated |
12 | Adam Lambert | "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (The Rolling Stones) | Advanced |
- ^ : Mitchell performed his song as his alter ego "Norman Gentle".
Semi-Final Group 3 " Billboard Hot 100 hits
Order | Contestant | Song (original artist) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Von Smith | "You're All I Need to Get By" (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell) | Wild Card |
2 | Taylor Vaifanua | "If I Ain't Got You" (Alicia Keys) | Eliminated |
3 | Alex Wagner-Trugman | "I Guess That's Why They Call It the Blues" (Elton John) | Eliminated |
4 | Arianna Afsar | "The Winner Takes It All" (ABBA) | Eliminated |
5 | Ju'Not Joyner | "Hey There Delilah" (Plain White T's) | Eliminated |
6 | Kristen McNamara | "Give Me One Reason" (Tracy Chapman) | Eliminated |
7 | Nathaniel Marshall | "I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)" (Meat Loaf) | Eliminated |
8 | Felicia Barton | "No One" (Alicia Keys) | Eliminated |
9 | Scott MacIntyre | "Mandolin Rain" (Bruce Hornsby and the Range) | Advanced |
10 | Kendall Beard | "This One's for the Girls" (Martina McBride) | Eliminated |
11 | Jorge Núñez | "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (Elton John) | Advanced |
12 | Lil Rounds | "Be Without You" (Mary J. Blige) | Advanced |
- ^: Barton was initially eliminated prior to the semifinals. However, after the disqualification of Joanna Pacitti, she was invited back into the competition.
Wild Card Round " Billboard Hot 100 hits
Order | Contestant | Song (original artist) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Jesse Langseth | "Tell Me Something Good" (Rufus and Chaka Khan) | Eliminated |
2 | Matt Giraud | "Who's Lovin' You" (The Miracles) | Advanced |
3 | Megan Joy | "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" (KT Tunstall) | Advanced |
4 | Von Smith | "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word" (Elton John) | Eliminated |
5 | Jasmine Murray | "Reflection" (Christina Aguilera) | Advanced |
6 | Ricky Braddy | "Superstition" (Stevie Wonder) | Eliminated |
7 | Tatiana Del Toro | "Saving All My Love for You" (Marilyn McCoo) | Eliminated |
8 | Anoop Desai | "My Prerogative" (Bobby Brown) | Advanced |
Finalists
- Kris Allen (born June 21, 1985 in Jacksonville, Arkansas, 23 years at the time of the show) is from Conway, Arkansas and auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky with Leon Russell's A Song For You. Allen's interest in music began at an early age; he taught himself how to play guitar at the age of 13, as well as numerous other instruments. Prior to Idol, he worked as a worship leader at New Life Church in Maumelle, Arkansas, and is a member of Chi Alpha Campus Ministries at the University of Central Arkansas, where he is a business major. Allen was announced the winner of the eighth season of American Idol on May 20, 2009. He went on to release his first official single, No Boundaries, which was written by Idol judge Kara DioGuardi. As a part of winning Idol, Allen was signed by Jive Records and 19 Entertainment. His first official album under the new label released November 17, 2009.
- Adam Lambert (born January 29, 1982 in Indianapolis, Indiana, 26 years at the time of his audition) is from San Diego, California and auditioned in San Francisco, California with Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. Lambert grew up in Rancho Peñasquitos, San Diego, California and attended Deer Canyon Elementary School, Mesa Verde Middle School, and Mt. Carmel High School, where he was in theater, choir, and also performed with the school's jazz band. Lambert has been a stage actor since the age of ten, performing in such productions as You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and Wicked. He joined a band The Citizen Vein briefly. He also worked as a demo singer and his recordings was released after his appearance on American Idol in an album Take One. Lambert roomed with Kris Allen during the show. Lambert was announced as the runner-up for the eighth season of American Idol on May 20, 2009. He was signed to RCA Records after the show and released his debut album For Your Entertainment.
- Danny Gokey (born April 24, 1980, 28 years at the time of his audition) is from Milwaukee, Wisconsin and auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. Gokey first began singing in church with his family, and has been a worship leader for his church in Milwaukee, Faith Builders International Ministries, for several years. Four weeks before Gokey auditioned for American Idol, in July 2008, his wife Sophia underwent surgery due to congenital heart disease. She later died from complications regarding the extensive surgery. He was eliminated from the Top 3 on May 13, 2009.
- Allison Iraheta (born April 27, 1992 in Glendale, California, 16 years at the time of her audition) is from Los Angeles and auditioned in San Francisco, California. Iraheta began singing at an early age, performing at small venues for her family and friends. In 2006, Iraheta won the Telemundo television series Quinceañera, where she won $50,000 and a recording contract, where only the prize money was granted. She was eliminated from the Top 4 on May 6, 2009. She has been the youngest finalist as a 16 year-old turning 17 during Top 5 week. Her debut album, Just Like You was released on December 1, 2009 to positive reviews, with the single Friday I'll Be Over U.
- Matt Giraud (born May 11, 1985 in Dearborn, Michigan, 23 years at his time of the show) is from Kalamazoo, Michigan and auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky with Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want to Be". Giraud grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where he graduated from Lincoln High School in 2003. Initially eliminated from the Top 13, Giraud was chosen by the judges to rejoin the competition during the Wild Card round. Giraud was the lowest vote-getter during the Top 7, but was saved by the judges and eventually eliminated in Top 5. He released an album called Perspective in 2003 and another in 2006 called Mind Body and Soul.
- Anoop Desai (born December 20, 1986 in Cary, North Carolina, 22 years at the time of the show) is from Chapel Hill, North Carolina and auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. Desai is an only child, whose father was born in India and mother was born in South Africa. Beginning his career as an actor for the television station WRAL-TV in Raleigh in a local television series entitled "CentralXpress.com", and played the character "Raj." Desai attended Carnage Middle School and Phillips Middle School, then later went on to attend East Chapel Hill High School, graduating in 2004. Desai's performance as a soloist on the song "She Has No Time" was included on the 2007 iteration of the annual BOCA (Best of College A Cappella) compilation album. Desai has credited his decision to audition for American Idol to the death of a friend, Eve Carson, who was murdered. Initially eliminated from the Top 13, he was chosen by the judges to rejoin the competition during the Wild Card round. His advancement to the finals made American Idol history, making it a top 13.
- Lil Rounds (born October 20, 1984, 24 years at the time of the show) is from Memphis, Tennessee and auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri with Stevie Wonder's "All I Do" . Shortly before her audition on Idol, a tornado hit Memphis, forcing Rounds to temporarily live in a motel. Her grandfather once worked with the music legend B.B. King. Her performance of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" in the Hollywood round impressed the judges, however she failed to impress the judges in the finals and was eliminated in joint-seventh place with Anoop Desai.
- Scott MacIntyre (born June 22, 1985, 23 years at the time of the show) is from Scottsdale, Arizona and auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona. MacIntyre is the first legally blind person to audition for American Idol. MacIntyre began practicing music at the age of six. Home-schooled until the age of fourteen, he later attended Arizona State University's Barrett Honors College and Herberger College of the Arts soon afterwards. In 2005, USA Today named him one of its twenty College Academic All-Stars. He obtained his masters degree at Royal Holloway, University of London and the Royal College of Music, where he studied on a Marshall Scholarship. MacIntyre produced his first CD when he was eleven, and has recorded five more CDs since then. He was accepted to both Oxford University and Cambridge University for further graduate-level education.
- Megan Joy (born September 18, 1985, 23 years at the time of the show) is a single mother from Sandy, Utah and auditioned in Salt Lake City, Utah with Helen Morgan's "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man". Initially eliminated from the Top 13, Joy was chosen by the judges to rejoin the competition during the Wild Card round. In high school, Joy unsuccessfully tried out for numerous performance groups, including choir, and never had any singing lessons before her audition on Idol. Joy graduated from Taylorsville High School in Taylorsville, Utah in 2003. She has one son named Ryder.
- Michael Sarver (born March 28, 1981 in Sulphur, Louisiana, 27 years at the time of the show) is from Jasper, Texas and auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona with Boyz II Men's "Thank You". Sarver, an oil rig worker, began singing at the age of twelve, and has written over 890 songs for himself since that time. Sarver graduated from Sulphur High School in 1998. Sarver is married to his wife Tiffany, and has two children.
- Alexis Grace (born June 9, 1987, 21 years at the time of the show) is from Memphis, Tennessee and auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri with Aretha Franklin's Dr Feelgood. She gave birth to her daughter when she was nineteen. Grace began singing at an early age . She performed Aretha Franklin's "Do Right Woman, Do Right Man" and Carrie Underwood's "Before He Cheats" in the Hollywood rounds.
- Jorge Núñez (born October 1, 1987 in Cidra, Puerto Rico, 21 years at the time of the show) is from Carolina, Puerto Rico and auditioned in San Juan, Puerto Rico. For the audition he sang My Way in Spanish and Louis Armstrong's What a Wonderful World in English. Núñez speaks three languages fluently, English, Spanish and French. After he sang during the third semi-finals week, many people were amazed by his big voice including, Marc Anthony and Jennifer Lopez, who had stated they wanted to perform with him. He performed Jon Secada's "Angel" during the Hollywood round. Of the Top 13, Núñez was the only contestant who auditioned in Puerto Rico. He was the eliminated from the Top 13 in the first week of the finals, along with Jasmine Murray.
- Jasmine Murray (born March 14, 1992, in Columbus, Mississippi, 16 years at the time of the show) is from Starkville, Mississippi and auditioned in Jacksonville, Florida. Initially eliminated from the Top 13, Murray was chosen by the judges to rejoin the competition during the Wild Card round. In addition to competing on Idol, she also competed in the Miss America's Outstanding Teen pageant in 2007. She was eliminated from the Top 13 in the first week of the finals, along with Jorge Núñez.
Finals
Top 13 " Michael Jackson
This episode was re-aired on June 29, 2009, in a tribute to the death of Michael Jackson on June 25. This makes it the only episode of the show to be re-aired by Fox.Order | Contestant | Song (original artist when applicable) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Lil Rounds | "The Way You Make Me Feel" | Safe |
2 | Scott MacIntyre | "Keep the Faith" | Safe |
3 | Danny Gokey | "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)" | Safe |
4 | Michael Sarver | "You Are Not Alone" | Safe |
5 | Jasmine Murray | "I'll Be There" (The Jackson 5) | Eliminated1 |
6 | Kris Allen | "Remember the Time" | Safe |
7 | Allison Iraheta | "Give In to Me" | Safe |
8 | Anoop Desai | "Beat It" | Safe |
9 | Jorge Núñez | "Never Can Say Goodbye" (The Jackson 5) | Eliminated1 |
10 | Megan Joy | "Rockin' Robin" (Bobby Day) | Safe |
11 | Adam Lambert | "Black or White" | Safe |
12 | Matt Giraud | "Human Nature" | Safe |
132 | Alexis Grace | "Dirty Diana" | Safe |
- Note 1: It was never revealed, between Jasmine Murray and Jorge Núñez, who received the lowest amount of votes even though Jasmine was eliminated first.
- Note 2: See IDOLS-13 controversy below.
Top 11 " Grand Ole Opry
Mentor: Randy TravisOrder | Contestant | Song (original artist) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Michael Sarver | "Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)" (Garth Brooks) | Bottom 2 |
2 | Allison Iraheta | "Blame It on Your Heart" (Patty Loveless) | Bottom 3 |
3 | Kris Allen | "Make You Feel My Love" (Bob Dylan) | Safe |
4 | Lil Rounds | "Independence Day" (Martina McBride) | Safe |
5 | Adam Lambert | "Ring of Fire" (Anita Carter) | Safe |
6 | Scott MacIntyre | "Wild Angels" (Martina McBride) | Safe |
7 | Alexis Grace | "Jolene" (Dolly Parton) | Eliminated |
8 | Danny Gokey | "Jesus, Take the Wheel" (Carrie Underwood) | Safe |
9 | Anoop Desai | "Always on My Mind" (Brenda Lee) | Safe |
10 | Megan Joy | "Walkin' After Midnight" (Patsy Cline) | Safe |
11 | Matt Giraud | "So Small" (Carrie Underwood) | Safe |
Top 10 " Motown
Mentor: Smokey RobinsonOrder | Contestant | Song (original artist) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Matt Giraud | "Let's Get It On" (Marvin Gaye) | Bottom 2 |
2 | Kris Allen | "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" (Marvin Gaye) | Safe |
3 | Scott MacIntyre | "You Can't Hurry Love" (The Supremes) | Bottom 3 |
4 | Megan Joy | "For Once in My Life" (Jean DuShon) | Safe |
5 | Anoop Desai | "Ooo Baby Baby" (The Miracles) | Safe |
6 | Michael Sarver | "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" (The Temptations) | Eliminated |
7 | Lil Rounds | "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave" (Martha and the Vandellas) | Safe |
8 | Adam Lambert | "The Tracks of My Tears" (The Miracles) | Safe |
9 | Danny Gokey | "Get Ready" (The Temptations) | Safe |
10 | Allison Iraheta | "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" (The Undisputed Truth) | Safe |
Top 9 " Popular iTunes Downloads
Order | Contestant | Song (original artist) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Anoop Desai | "Caught Up" (Usher) | Bottom 2 |
2 | Megan Joy | "Turn Your Lights Down Low" (Bob Marley) | Eliminated |
3 | Danny Gokey | "What Hurts the Most" (Mark Wills) | Safe |
4 | Allison Iraheta | "Don't Speak" (No Doubt) | Bottom 3 |
5 | Scott MacIntyre | "Just the Way You Are" (Billy Joel) | Safe |
6 | Matt Giraud | "You Found Me" (The Fray) | Safe |
7 | Lil Rounds | "I Surrender" (Celine Dion) | Safe |
8 | Adam Lambert | "Play That Funky Music" (Wild Cherry) | Safe |
9 | Kris Allen | "Ain't No Sunshine" (Bill Withers) | Safe |
Top 8 " Year They Were Born
Order | Contestant | Song (original artist) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Danny Gokey | "Stand By Me" (Ben E. King) | Safe |
2 | Kris Allen | "All She Wants to Do Is Dance" (Don Henley) | Safe |
3 | Lil Rounds | "What's Love Got to Do with It" (Tina Turner) | Bottom 3 |
4 | Anoop Desai | "True Colors" (Cyndi Lauper) | Bottom 2 |
5 | Scott MacIntyre | "The Search Is Over" (Survivor) | Eliminated |
6 | Allison Iraheta | "I Can't Make You Love Me" (Bonnie Raitt) | Safe |
7 | Matt Giraud | "Part-Time Lover" (Stevie Wonder) | Safe |
8 | Adam Lambert | "Mad World" (Tears for Fears) | Safe |
Top 7 (first week) " Songs of the Cinema
Mentor: Quentin TarantinoOrder | Contestant | Song (original artist) "? Film | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Allison Iraheta | "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (Aerosmith) "? Armageddon | Safe |
2 | Anoop Desai | "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" (Bryan Adams) "? Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves | Bottom 3 |
3 | Adam Lambert | "Born to Be Wild" (Steppenwolf) "? Easy Rider | Safe |
4 | Matt Giraud | "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" (Bryan Adams) "? Don Juan DeMarco | Saved1 |
5 | Danny Gokey | "Endless Love" (Lionel Richie & Diana Ross) "? Endless Love | Safe |
6 | Kris Allen | "Falling Slowly" (Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová) "? Once | Safe |
7 | Lil Rounds | "The Rose" (Bette Midler) "? The Rose | Bottom 2 |
- Note 1: Matt Giraud received the lowest number of votes but the judges decided to use their save on him and was not eliminated.
Top 7 (second week) " Disco
Order | Contestant | Song (original artist) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Lil Rounds | "I'm Every Woman" (Chaka Khan) | Eliminated1 |
2 | Kris Allen | "She Works Hard for the Money" (Donna Summer) | Safe |
3 | Danny Gokey | "September" (Earth, Wind & Fire) | Safe |
4 | Allison Iraheta | "Hot Stuff" (Donna Summer) | Bottom 3 |
5 | Adam Lambert | "If I Can't Have You" (Yvonne Elliman) | Safe |
6 | Matt Giraud | "Stayin' Alive" (The Bee Gees) | Safe |
7 | Anoop Desai | "Dim All the Lights" (Donna Summer) | Eliminated1 |
- Note 1: With no elimination the previous week, there was a second "Top 7" week and two people were eliminated. It was never revealed who, between Anoop Desai and Lil Rounds, received the lowest amount of votes, however Rounds's elimination was announced first with Desai being the second eliminee.
Top 5 " Rat Pack Standards
Mentor: Jamie FoxxOrder | Contestant | Song (original artist) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Kris Allen | "The Way You Look Tonight" (Fred Astaire) | Bottom 3 |
2 | Allison Iraheta | "Someone to Watch Over Me" (Gertrude Lawrence) | Safe |
3 | Matt Giraud | "My Funny Valentine" (Mitzi Green) | Eliminated |
4 | Danny Gokey | "Come Rain or Come Shine" (Sy Oliver with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra) | Safe |
5 | Adam Lambert | "Feeling Good" (Cy Grant) | Bottom 2 |
Top 4 " Rock music
Mentor: SlashEach contestant sang one solo and one duet with a fellow contestant.
Order | Contestant | Song (original artist) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Adam Lambert | "Whole Lotta Love" (Led Zeppelin) | Safe |
2 | Allison Iraheta | "Cry Baby" (Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters) | Eliminated |
3 | Kris Allen & Danny Gokey | "Renegade" (Styx) | N/A |
4 | Kris Allen | "Come Together" (The Beatles) | Safe |
5 | Danny Gokey | "Dream On" (Aerosmith) | Safe |
6 | Adam Lambert & Allison Iraheta | "Slow Ride" (Foghat) | N/A |
Top 3 " Judges' choice and Contestants' choice
Each contestant sang two songs.Order | Contestant | Song (original artist) "? Judge | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Danny Gokey | "Dance Little Sister" (Terence Trent D'Arby) "? Paula Abdul | Eliminated |
2 | Kris Allen | "Apologize" (OneRepublic) "? Randy Jackson & Kara DioGuardi | Safe |
3 | Adam Lambert | "One" (U2) "? Simon Cowell | Safe |
4 | Danny Gokey | "You Are So Beautiful" (Billy Preston) | Eliminated |
5 | Kris Allen | "Heartless" (Kanye West) | Safe |
6 | Adam Lambert | "Cryin'" (Aerosmith) | Safe |
Top 2 " Contestant's choice, Simon Fuller's choice & the winner's single
Each contestant sang three songs.Order | Contestant | Song (original artist) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Adam Lambert | "Mad World" (Tears for Fears) | Runner up |
2 | Kris Allen | "Ain't No Sunshine" (Bill Withers) | Winner |
3 | Adam Lambert | "A Change is Gonna Come" (Sam Cooke) | Runner up |
4 | Kris Allen | "What's Going On" (Marvin Gaye) | Winner |
5 | Adam Lambert | "No Boundaries" | Runner up |
6 | Kris Allen | "No Boundaries" | Winner |
Elimination chart
Female | Male | Top 36 | Wild Card | Top 13 | Winner |
Did Not Perform | Safe | Safe First | Safe Last | Eliminated |
Stage: | Semi Finals | Finals | ||||||||||||||
Week: | 2/18 | 2/261 | 3/4 | 3/5 | 3/112 | 3/18 | 3/263 | 4/1 | 4/8 | 4/154 | 4/225 | 4/29 | 5/66 | 5/13 | 5/20 | |
Place | Contestant | Result | ||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Kris Allen | Top 13 | Winner | |||||||||||||
2 | Adam Lambert | Top 13 | Bottom 2 | |||||||||||||
3 | Danny Gokey | Top 13 | Elim | |||||||||||||
4 | Allison Iraheta | Top 13 | Bottom 3 | Bottom 3 | Elim | |||||||||||
5 | Matt Giraud | Saved | Elim | |||||||||||||
Anoop Desai | Top 13 | Bottom 3 | Elim | |||||||||||||
Lil Rounds | Top 13 | Bottom 3 | ||||||||||||||
8 | Scott MacIntyre | Top 13 | Bottom 3 | Elim | ||||||||||||
9 | Megan Joy | Wild Card | Top 13 | Elim | ||||||||||||
10 | Michael Sarver | Top 13 | Elim | |||||||||||||
11 | Alexis Grace | Top 13 | Elim | |||||||||||||
Jorge Núñez | Top 13 | Elim | ||||||||||||||
Jasmine Murray | Wild Card | Top 13 | ||||||||||||||
Wild Card | Ricky Braddy | Wild Card | Elim | |||||||||||||
Tatiana Del Toro | Wild Card | |||||||||||||||
Jesse Langseth | Wild Card | |||||||||||||||
Von Smith | ||||||||||||||||
Semi- Final 3 | Arianna Afsar | Elim | ||||||||||||||
Felicia Barton | ||||||||||||||||
Kendall Beard | ||||||||||||||||
Ju'Not Joyner | ||||||||||||||||
Nathaniel Marshall | ||||||||||||||||
Kristen McNamara | ||||||||||||||||
Taylor Vaifanua | ||||||||||||||||
Semi- Final 2 | Matt Breitzke | Elim | ||||||||||||||
Mishavonna Henson | ||||||||||||||||
Kai Kalama | ||||||||||||||||
Nick Mitchell | ||||||||||||||||
Jeanine Vailes | ||||||||||||||||
Semi- Final 1 | Ann Marie Boskovich | Elim | ||||||||||||||
Casey Carlson | ||||||||||||||||
Stephen Fowler | ||||||||||||||||
Brent Keith | ||||||||||||||||
Jackie Tohn | ||||||||||||||||
Stevie Wright |
1 Due to the 2009 Speech to the Joint Session of the United States Congress on Tuesday, February 24, 2009, the performance show was moved to Wednesday, February 25 and the results show was moved to Thursday, February 26.
2 Ryan never specifically said who the bottom three or four was, but Megan Joy was brought up with Jasmine Murray and Anoop Desai with Jorge Nuñez for dramatic effect. Jasmine Murray was announced as the first to leave, followed by Jorge Nuñez.
3 Due to the White House Press Conference on Tuesday, March 24, 2009, the performance show was moved to Wednesday, March 25 and the results show was moved to Thursday, March 26.
4 Due to the judges using their one save, in order to save Matt Giraud, the Top 7 remained intact for another week.
5 The bottom two were eliminated on April 22. It was never announced who received the lowest number of votes, although Lil Rounds was announced as the first to leave, followed by Anoop Desai.
6 It was only announced that Allison Iraheta received the lowest number of votes this week. The other member(s) of the bottom two or three were never revealed, and the safe contestants were announced in random order.
Other performances
Group song
- Top 36/Group 1: "I'm Yours" by Jason Mraz
- Top 36/Group 2: "Closer" by Ne-Yo
- Top 36/Group 3: "Hot n Cold" by Katy Perry
- Top 13: "I Want You Back/ABC Medley" by The Jackson 5
- Top 11: "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" by Travis Tritt
- Top 10: "Motown" Medley: "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by The Supremes/"You're All I Need to Get By" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell/"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
- Top 9: "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey
- Top 8: "Can't Get You out of My Head" by Kylie Minogue
- Top 7 (week 1): "Maniac" by Michael Sembello from Flashdance
- Top 7 (week 2): "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" by The Jacksons; choreographed by Paula Abdul
- Top 5: "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" and "I Got Rhythm"
- Top 4: "School's Out" by Alice Cooper
- Top 3: The Top 3 did not perform a group routine.
- Top 2: Top 13 performed "So What" by Pink and Top 2 performed Queen's "We Are The Champions" who were guest performers
Guest performances
In addition, songs are played during the elimination night to promote an artist, single, album, or the show itself. Included is a list of those songs with their Billboard Hot 100 and Hot Digital Songs reactions.Week | Performer(s) | Title | Hot 100 Reaction | Hot Digital Songs Reaction | Notes |
Top 36/ Group 1 | Carly Smithson Michael Johns | "The Letter" | Ineligible to chart (No legal digital release) | live performance | |
Top 36/ Group 2 | Brooke White | "Hold Up My Heart" | 47 (debut) | 27 (51,171 +999%) | live performance |
Top 36/ Group 3 | No performer | ||||
Top 13 | Kanye West | "Heartless" | 7 (+1) | 13 (95,223 +18%) | pre-recorded |
Kelly Clarkson | "My Life Would Suck Without You" | 5 (+4) | 6 (141,167 +38%) | live performance | |
Top 11 | Brad Paisley | "Then" | 35 (debut) | 18 (64,127 +999%) | live performance |
Carrie Underwood Randy Travis | "I Told You So" | 9 (+48) | 4 (125,806 +701%) | pre-recorded |
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License.It uses material from the Wikipedia article "American Idol (season 8)". Reality TV World is not responsible for any errors or omissions this article may contain. |
- 'Survivor' winner Rachel LaMont reacts to Sam Phalen's jab
- 'The Bachelorette' alum Hannah Brown reveals she's picked out her wedding dress
- 'Survivor' runner-up Sam Phalen explains why the jury's voting surprised him -- and it's not why you'd suspect!
- 'The Golden Bachelorette' alum Mark Anderson celebrates Christmas with Barbara Alyn Woods
- 'Survivor' winner Rachel LaMont reveals her jury surprises and why she was in "knots"
- 'The Bachelorette' alum Trista Rehn sets record straight on Ryan Sutter divorce rumors
- 'Survivor' finale: Rachel LaMont wins Season 47 in landslide vote over Sam Phalen
- '90 Day Fiance' alum David Murphey dead at age 66
- Jenn Tran soft launches relationship with 'Dancing with the Stars' pro Sasha Farber
About Reality TV World •
Advertise on Reality TV World •
Contact Reality TV World •
Privacy Policy •
RSS Feed
Top Shows:
The Amazing Race ·
American Idol ·
America's Got Talent ·
America's Next Top Model ·
The Apprentice ·
The Bachelor ·
The Bachelorette ·
Big Brother ·
The Biggest Loser ·
Dance Moms ·
Dancing with the Stars ·
Duck Dynasty ·
Extreme Makeover ·
Hell's Kitchen ·
Keeping Up with the Kardashians ·
MasterChef ·
Pawn Stars ·
Project Runway ·
The Real Housewives ·
Shark Tank ·
So You Think You Can Dance ·
Survivor ·
Swamp People ·
Teen Mom ·
Top Chef ·
The Voice ·
Top People: Colton Underwood · Becca Kufrin · Arie Luyendyk Jr. · Rachel Lindsay · Nick Viall · Jojo Fletcher · Ben Higgins · Kaitlyn Bristowe · Chris Soules · Andi Dorfman · Juan Pablo Galavis · Desiree Hartsock · Sean Lowe · Emily Maynard · Ben Flajnik · Ashley Hebert · Brad Womack · Ali Fedotowsky · Jake Pavelka · Jillian Harris · Jason Mesnick · DeAnna Pappas · Matt Grant · Andy Baldwin · Lorenzo Borghese · Travis Stork · Charlie O'Connell · Byron Velvick · Jen Schefft · Andrew Firestone · Aaron Buerge · Trista Rehn · Cassie Randolph · Tayshia Adams · Hannah Godwin · Caelynn Miller-Keyes · Hannah Brown · Demi Burnett · Lincoln Adim · Leo Dottavio · Blake Horstmann · Chris Randone · Jason Tartick · Garrett Yrigoyen · Tia Booth · Lauren Burnham · Kendall Long · Bri Amaramthus · Valerie Biles · Jessica Carroll · Jenna Cooper · Maquel Cooper · Jenny Delaney · Seinne Fleming · Olivia Goethals · Ali Harrington · Lauren Jarreau · Britt Johnson · Bibiana Julian · Ashley Luebke · Caroline Lunny · Bekah Martinez · Marikh Mathias · Krystal Nielson · Nysha Norris · Annaliese Puccini · Chelsea Roy · Lauren Schleye · Brittany Taylor · Jacqueline Trumbull · Amber Wilkerson · Bryan Abasolo · Vanessa Grimaldi · Jordan Rodgers · Lauren Bushnell · Wells Adams · Danielle Maltby · Carly Waddell · Evan Bass · Jade Roper · Shawn Booth · Peter Kraus · Josh Murray · Whitney Bischoff · Nikki Ferrell · Catherine Giudici · Courtney Robertson · Molly Malaney · Tenley Molzahn · Melissa Rycroft · Dean Unglert · Kristina Schulman · Danielle Lombard · Clare Crawley · Becca Tilley · Caila Quinn · Emily Ferguson · Haley Ferguson · Amanda Stanton · Ashley Iaconetti · Juelia Kinney · Lindzi Cox · Samantha Steffen · Ashley Salter · Lauren Himle · Lace Morris · Corinne Olympios · DeMario Jackson · Taylor Nolan · Derek Peth · Raven Gates · Jasmine Goode · Matt Munson · Sarah Vendal · Lacey Mark · Jack Stone · Daniel Maguire · Jaimi King · Dominique Alexis · Christen Whitney · Jonathan Treece · Diggy Moreland · Robby Hayes · Luke Pell · Sarah Herron · Grant Kemp · Jenna Johnson · Kevin Schlehuber · Raven Walton · Paul Abrahamian · Cody Nickson · Jessica Graf · Christmas Abbott · Alex Ow · Josh Martinez · Mark Jansen · Jason Dent · Matt Clines ·
The Bachelor: The Bachelor Spoilers · The Bachelorette Spoilers · The Bachelor and The Bachelorette Facebook Group
Top People: Colton Underwood · Becca Kufrin · Arie Luyendyk Jr. · Rachel Lindsay · Nick Viall · Jojo Fletcher · Ben Higgins · Kaitlyn Bristowe · Chris Soules · Andi Dorfman · Juan Pablo Galavis · Desiree Hartsock · Sean Lowe · Emily Maynard · Ben Flajnik · Ashley Hebert · Brad Womack · Ali Fedotowsky · Jake Pavelka · Jillian Harris · Jason Mesnick · DeAnna Pappas · Matt Grant · Andy Baldwin · Lorenzo Borghese · Travis Stork · Charlie O'Connell · Byron Velvick · Jen Schefft · Andrew Firestone · Aaron Buerge · Trista Rehn · Cassie Randolph · Tayshia Adams · Hannah Godwin · Caelynn Miller-Keyes · Hannah Brown · Demi Burnett · Lincoln Adim · Leo Dottavio · Blake Horstmann · Chris Randone · Jason Tartick · Garrett Yrigoyen · Tia Booth · Lauren Burnham · Kendall Long · Bri Amaramthus · Valerie Biles · Jessica Carroll · Jenna Cooper · Maquel Cooper · Jenny Delaney · Seinne Fleming · Olivia Goethals · Ali Harrington · Lauren Jarreau · Britt Johnson · Bibiana Julian · Ashley Luebke · Caroline Lunny · Bekah Martinez · Marikh Mathias · Krystal Nielson · Nysha Norris · Annaliese Puccini · Chelsea Roy · Lauren Schleye · Brittany Taylor · Jacqueline Trumbull · Amber Wilkerson · Bryan Abasolo · Vanessa Grimaldi · Jordan Rodgers · Lauren Bushnell · Wells Adams · Danielle Maltby · Carly Waddell · Evan Bass · Jade Roper · Shawn Booth · Peter Kraus · Josh Murray · Whitney Bischoff · Nikki Ferrell · Catherine Giudici · Courtney Robertson · Molly Malaney · Tenley Molzahn · Melissa Rycroft · Dean Unglert · Kristina Schulman · Danielle Lombard · Clare Crawley · Becca Tilley · Caila Quinn · Emily Ferguson · Haley Ferguson · Amanda Stanton · Ashley Iaconetti · Juelia Kinney · Lindzi Cox · Samantha Steffen · Ashley Salter · Lauren Himle · Lace Morris · Corinne Olympios · DeMario Jackson · Taylor Nolan · Derek Peth · Raven Gates · Jasmine Goode · Matt Munson · Sarah Vendal · Lacey Mark · Jack Stone · Daniel Maguire · Jaimi King · Dominique Alexis · Christen Whitney · Jonathan Treece · Diggy Moreland · Robby Hayes · Luke Pell · Sarah Herron · Grant Kemp · Jenna Johnson · Kevin Schlehuber · Raven Walton · Paul Abrahamian · Cody Nickson · Jessica Graf · Christmas Abbott · Alex Ow · Josh Martinez · Mark Jansen · Jason Dent · Matt Clines ·
The Bachelor: The Bachelor Spoilers · The Bachelorette Spoilers · The Bachelor and The Bachelorette Facebook Group
All site content is © 2000-2018 Reality TV World and may not be republished or reproduced without Reality TV World's expressed written permission. All logos and trademarks presented are property of their respective owner.
This website has been solely developed and presented by Reality TV World, and is in no way authorized or connected with any network, station affiliate, or broadcasting sponsor.