American Idol- Season Three
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American Idol, season 3, hit the airwaves on January 19, 2004, and concluded on May 26, 2004. In season 2, American Idol had found a format that worked and they stuck with it throughout this season as well. Season 3 is perhaps best remembered for the caliber of the talent of contestants, not to mention the staying power of one arguably musically challenged Idol hopeful. Fantasia, the season 3 winner, has won the admiration of many music industry insiders and is predicted to have a long career ahead of her.
American Idol- Season Three Personnel
Ryan Seacrest, Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, and Paula Abdul all maintained their roles. They were joined by a series of celebrity judges over the course of the competition. These judges, in order of appearance, were:
- Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson
- Quentin Tarantino
- Barry Manilow
- Gloria Estefan
- Donna Summers
- Clive Davis
As in season 2, Paul Anka made an appearance during the final episode.
American Idol- Season Three Auditions
Season 3 auditions were held in the fall of 2003 in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, and Honolulu. As in season 2, the hopefuls were narrowed down to four groups of eight semifinalists, who then went on to compete in Hollywood.
William Hung
One of the biggest stars in season 3 never made it past the audition stage. UC Berkley student William Hung gave an off-key, stilted performance of Ricky Martin’s She Bangs that earned Hung 15 minutes of fame and then some. As famous for his unfailing cheerful disposition, even in the face of Cowell’s criticism, as for his singing voice, Hung landed a record deal with Koch Records. He eventually went on to sell more than $500,000 worth of albums.
The Top 12
Thirty-two semifinalists became 12 finalists during a series of eliminations in Hollywood. The 12 then went on to face the public vote each week, narrowing the group down to one winner. The finalists, in order of elimination, were:
- Leah LaBelle
- Matthew Rogers
- Amy Adams
- Camile Velasco
- Jon Peter Lewis
- Jennifer Hudson
- John Sterns
- George Huff
- LaToya London
- Jasmine Trias
- Diane DeGarmo
- Fantasia Barrino – winner
Theme Weeks
The tradition of themed genre weeks continued in season three. The themes the contestants followed were:
- Soul
- Country
- Motown
- Elton John
- Movies
- Barry Manilow
- Gloria Estefan
- Big Band
- Disco
Where Are They Now?
Fantasia
Fantasia is often cited as an example of what the American Idol competition is all about. She entered the competition as a single mother from North Carolina, who later would admit that she is, for all intent and purposes, illiterate. She emerged from the competition with both the support of the public and the respect of many in the music industry. Elton John, Donna Summers, and Patti LaBelle have all sung her praises and predicted she will have a very long career as an artist.
Fantasia is the first artist to have a single debut in the number 1 position of the US Hot 100 charts - This accolade was for her first single, I Believe. Her debut album went platinum and she had the top selling single of 2005 according to the Billboard charts. She has been nominated for 4 Grammys and has toured with Kanye West.
Diane DeGarmo
DeGarmo, the runner up, saw her first single debut at the number 2 spot, eventually rising to number 1. Her first album, however, only sold a disappointing 200,000 copies.
Jennifer Hudson
Former Idol contestant Jennifer Hudson may have lost the Idol competition to Fantasia, but she beat her out for a role starring alongside Beyonce and Jamie Foxx in the screen version of Dreamgirls.
Other Contestants
Jasmine Trias has had some success in the US charts, but has found most of her popularity in the Phillipines and Guam.
Camile Velasco signed a deal with Motown Records.
George Huff has found success on the Christian music charts.
American Idol Links
- American Idol Official Site
- DialIdol
- American Idol Rumors – fan site dedicated to all the American Idol gossip you can handle.
Related Links
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