The third season of American Idol premiered on January 19, 2004 and continued until May 26, 2004. The third season was won by Fantasia Barrino, who defeated Diana DeGarmo by an approximate margin of 2% (1.3 million votes); the vote total (65 million votes) was the highest recorded vote total in the show's history until the May 23, 2007 finale of American Idol 6. This season also featured Academy Award-winning actress and Grammy Award-winning singer Jennifer Hudson.
The third season is the only season where both the winner and the runner-up ended up in the bottom 2 or 3 prior to the finale. It is the first season to have a finale with two female contestants (season 12 was the second) while the second, seventh, and eighth seasons had a finale with two male contestants.
Auditions[]
- Main article: Season 3 Auditions
Auditions were held in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Houston, Atlanta, and Honolulu.
The early part of the season became well-known for the introduction of William Hung, a University of California, Berkeley student, who became popular following his rendition of Ricky Martin's "She Bangs". His performance as well as his attitude facing judge Simon Cowell's criticisms (which was a stark contrast to other contestants' confrontational, angry reactions) made him instantly popular, and landed him a record deal with Koch Records.
During the audition round in Houston, Texas, auditioner Jonathan Rey threw a cup of water at Simon, who moments earlier commented that he was terrible and "there's not a song in the world you could sing." Security quickly escorted Jonathan out, and Houston police questioned him, but released him after Simon decided against pressing assault charges on him. The entire incident was caught on tape and was broadcast.
Hollywood[]
There were 117 contestants in the first Hollywood round which was held at the Pasadena Civic Center in Pasadena, California. The contestants first came onto the stage in groups but each performed solo and talked briefly about themselves. Simon Cowell was not impressed with their performances. They were also asked to write original lyrics and melody for one of ten song titles given and perform their song the next day. After their performance, they were divided into four groups and one groups is eliminated. In the next round, the remaining 87 contestants performed in groups in three. The girls and boys were separate and they were each given 3 different songs to choose - Girls with The Supremes' You Can't Hurry Love, Vonda Shepard's "Tell Him", Candi Staton's Young Hearts Run Free, the boys with Billy Joel's Tell Her About It, Rick Astley's Never Gonna Give You Up, The Drifters's Up on the Roof. 30 contestants were cut and 57 then advanced to the next stage where they performed solo. The contestants were then divided into 3 group and placed in separate rooms, with one group sent home. 32 contestants remained for the semi-finals.
Semi-Finals[]
The contestants who reached this stage were referred to in the show as the Top 32 finalists. This is the first time that two contestants who previously tried out for American Idol (Matthew Metzger and Lisa Leuschner) made it to the top 3 of their semifinals group. Both contestants were eliminated during Hollywood round in the previous season. George Huff replaced Donnie Williams in Semifinal Round 4 after Williams was disqualified following a DUI arrest. Unlike previous seasons, this season the contestants performed in front of a small studio audience, with orchestra accompaniment on backing tape. As with the second season, in these rounds, two from each group were selected by public vote to proceed on to the Top 12, and those who failed at any of the previous stages were given a second chance in the wild-card show.
Wild Card Round[]
After 8 singers advanced on to the Top 12, eight contestants were chosen by the judges to compete in the Wild Card Round. The eight competing were Jennifer Hudson, George Huff, Leah LaBelle, Elizabeth LeTendre, Jon Peter Lewis, Matthew Metzger, Suzy Vulaca & Katie Webber. In the end the Judges chose, Hudson, Huff and LaBelle to continue on in the competition as of Lewis was chosen by public vote.
Top 12[]
The following contestants were Season 3's Top 12
Finals[]
Top 12 perform[]
During the first round of the finals, the Top 12 performed a Soul song for a spot in the Top 11.
Eliminated Contestant[]
Leah LaBelle was the first contestant to be eliminated on March 17, 2004 bringing the total down to 11 remaining contestants.
Top 11[]
The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the Top 11.
Performances[]
The contestants performed in the following order:
- LaToya London - "Ain't Nobody" by Chaka Khan
- Amy Adams - "You Make Me Feel Brand New" by The Stylistics
- Matthew Rogers - "Hard to Handle" by Otis Redding
- Camile Velasco - "Son of a Preacher Man" by Dusty Springfield
- Jon Peter Lewis - "Drift Away" by John Henry Kurtz
- Fantasia Barrino - "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" by Stevie Wonder
- George Huff - "(Sittin' On) the Dock of the Bay" by Otis Redding
- Jennifer Hudson - "Baby, I Love You" by Aretha Franklin
- John Stevens - "Lately" by Stevie Wonder
- Leah LaBelle - "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by The Supremes
- Jasmine Trias - "Inseparable" by Natalie Cole
- Diana DeGarmo - "Think" by Aretha Franklin
Group Performance:
- Soul Medley
Top 11 perform[]
During the first round of the finals, the Top 10 performed a Country song for a spot in the Top 10.
Eliminated Contestant[]
Matthew Rogers was the second contestant to be eliminated on March 24, 2004 bringing the total down to 10 remaining contestants.
Top 10[]
The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the Top 10.
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Performances[]
The contestants performed in the following order:
- Diana DeGarmo - "A Broken Wing" by Martina McBride
- George Huff - "I Can Love You Like That" by John Michael Montgomery
- Fantasia Barrino - "Always on My Mind" by Brenda Lee
- John Stevens - "King of the Road" by Roger Miller
- Camile Velasco - "Desperado" by The Eagles
- Jennifer Hudson - "No One Else on Earth" by Wynonna Judd
- Jon Peter Lewis - "She Believes in Me" by Kenny Rogers
- Jasmine Trias - "Breathe" by Faith Hill
- Matthew Rogers - "Amazed" by Lonestar
- LaToya London - "Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)" by Garth Brooks
- Amy Adams - "Sin Wagon" by Dixie Chicks
Top 10 perform[]
During this round of the finals, the Top 10 performed a song from the Motor City for a spot in the Top 9.
Eliminated Contestant[]
Amy Adams was the eliminated contestant on March 31, 2004, bringing the total down to 9 remaining contestants.
Top 9[]
The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the Top 9.
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Performances[]
- Camile Velasco - "For Once in My Life" by Stevie Wonder
- Jon Peter Lewis - "This Old Heart of Mine" by The Isley Brothers
- LaToya London - "Ooo Baby Baby" by The Miracles
- Amy Adams - "Dancing in the Street" by Martha & the Vandellas
- John Stevens - "My Girl" by The Temptations
- Jennifer Hudson - "(Love Is Like a) Heat Wave" by Martha & the Vandellas
- Jasmine Trias - "You're All I Need to Get By" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
- Diana DeGarmo - "Do You Love Me" by The Contours
- Fantasia Barrino - "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" by The Miracles
- George Huff - "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations
Group Performance:
- "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
Top 9 perform[]
During this round of the finals, the Top 9 performed a song from Elton John for a spot in the Top 8.
Eliminated Contestant[]
Camile Velasco was the eliminated contestant on April 7, 2004, bringing the total down to 8 remaining contestants.
Top 8[]
The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the Top 8.
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Performances[]
The contestants performed in the following order:
- Fantasia Barrino - "Something About the Way You Look Tonight"
- Jon Peter Lewis - "Rocket Man"
- Jasmine Trias - "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me"
- John Stevens - "Crocodile Rock"
- Camile Velasco - "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road"
- George Huff - "Take Me to the Pilot"
- Diana DeGarmo - "I'm Still Standing"
- LaToya London - "Someone Saved My Life Tonight"
- Jennifer Hudson - "Circle of Life"
Group Performance:
- Boys - "Daniel"
- Girls - "Bennie and the Jets"
- Group - "Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting"
Top 8 perform[]
During this round of the finals, the Top 8 performed a song from a soundtrack of a movie for a spot in the Top 7.
Eliminated Contestant[]
Jon Peter Lewis was the eliminated contestant on April 15, 2004, bringing the total down to 7 remaining contestants.
Top 7[]
The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the Top 7.
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Performances[]
The contestants performed in the following order:
- George Huff - "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" by Phil Collins (Against All Odds)
- Jennifer Hudson - "I Have Nothing" by Whitney Houston (The Bodyguard)
- Jon Peter Lewis - "Jailhouse Rock" by Elvis Presley (Jailhouse Rock)
- Diana DeGarmo - "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion (Titanic)
- Fantasia Barrino - "Summertime" by Abbie Mitchell (Porgy and Bess)
- Jasmine Trias - "When I Fall in Love" by Doris Day (Sleepless in Seattle)
- John Stevens - "As Time Goes By" by Dooley Wilson (Casablanca)
- LaToya London - "Somewhere" by Reri Grist (West Side Story)
Top 7 perform[]
During this round of the finals, the Top 7 performed a song from Barry Manilow for a spot in the Top 6.
Eliminated Contestant[]
Jennifer Hudson was the eliminated contestant on April 21, 2004, bringing the total down to 6 remaining contestants.
Top 6[]
The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the Top 6.
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Performances[]
The contestants performed in the following order:
- Diana DeGarmo - "One Voice"
- George Huff - "Tryin' to Get the Feeling Again"
- Jennifer Hudson - "Weekend in New England"
- Jasmine Trias - "I'll Never Love This Way Again"
- LaToya London - "All The Time"
- John Stevens - "Mandy"
- Fantasia Barrino - "It's a Miracle"
Group Performance:
- Group feat. Barry Manilow - "Let Freedom Ring"
Top 6 perform[]
During this round of the finals, the Top 6 performed a song from Gloria Estefan for a spot in the Top 5.
Eliminated Contestant[]
John Stevens was the eliminated contestant on April 28, 2004, bringing the total down to 5 remaining contestants.
Top 5[]
The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the Top 5.
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Performances[]
The contestants performed in the following order:
- Fantasia Barrino - "Get on Your Feet"
- George Huff - "Live for Loving You"
- LaToya London - "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You"
- John Stevens - "Music of My Heart"
- Jasmine Trias - "Here We Are"
- Diana DeGarmo - "Turn the Beat Around"
Group Performance:
- Gloria Estefan medley
Top 5 perform[]
During this round of the Finals, each contestant will perform two songs from big bands for a spot in the Top 4.
Eliminated Contestant[]
George Huff was the eliminated contestant on May 5, 2004, bringing the total down to 4 remaining contestants.
Top 4[]
The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the Top 4.
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Performances[]
The contestants performed in the following order:
- Diana DeGarmo - "Someone to Watch Over Me" by Gertrude Lawrence, "Get Happy" by Ruth Etting
- George Huff - "Cheek to Cheek" by Fred Astaire, "What a Wonderful World" by Louis Armstrong
- LaToya London - "Too Close for Comfort" by Eydie Gormé, "Don't Rain on My Parade" by Barbra Streisand
- Jasmine Trias - "The Way You Look Tonight" by Fred Astaire, "Almost Like Being in Love" by Nat King Cole
- Fantasia Barrino - "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" by Queen, "What Are You Doing the Rest of Your Life? by Julie Andrews
Top 4 perform[]
During this round of the finals, each contestant will perform a two disco songs for a spot in the Top 3.
Eliminated Contestant[]
LaToya London was the eliminated contestant on May 12, 2004, bringing the total down to 3 remaining contestants.
Top 3[]
The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the Top 3.
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Performances[]
The contestants performed in the following order:
- Jasmine Trias - "Everlasting Love" by Carl Carlton
- LaToya London - "Love You Inside Out" by The Bee Gees
- Fantasia Barrino - "Knock on Wood" by Eddie Floyd
- Diana DeGarmo - "This Is It" by Melba Moore
- Jasmine Trias - "It's Raining Men" by The Weather Girls
- LaToya London - "Don't Leave Me This Way" by Thelma Houston
- Fantasia Barrino - "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler
- Diana DeGarmo - "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" by Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand
Group Performance:
- "Bad Girls"/"Hot Stuff"/"Heaven Knows"/"She Works Hard for the Money" by Donna Summer
Top 3 perform[]
During this round of the finals, the Top 3 performed a song of their choice, a song picked by the judges and a song picked by Clive Davis for a spot in the Top 2.
Eliminated Contestant[]
Jasmine Trias was the eliminated contestant on May 19, 2004, bringing the total down to 2 remaining contestants.
Top 2[]
The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the Top 2.
Performances[]
(The first round of performances was the contestant's choice, the second round were chosen by the judges and the final round was chosen by Clive Davis). The contestants performed in the following order:
- Jasmine Trias - "Saving All My Love for You" by Whitney Houston
- Fantasia Barrino - "Chain of Fools" by Aretha Franklin
- Diana DeGarmo - "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell
- Jasmine Trias - "Mr. Melody" by Natalie Cole (chosen by Paula Abdul)
- Fantasia Barrino - "A Fool in Love" by Ike & Tina Turner (chosen by Simon Cowell)
- Diana DeGarmo - "Because You Loved Me" by Celine Dion (chosen by Randy Jackson)
- Jasmine Trias - "All by Myself" by Eric Carmen
- Fantasia Barrino - "Greatest Love of All" by George Benson
- Diana DeGarmo - "Don't Cry Out Loud" by Melissa Manchester
Top 2 perform[]
During the final round of the finals, the Top 2 performed their first winning single and two of their previous songs from the past round for a spot as Season 4's American Idol.
Runner-up[]
Diana DeGarmo was the runner-up of Season 3. Fantasia Barrino being the winner.
Performances[]
The contestants performed in the following order:
- Diana DeGarmo - "I Believe"
- Fantasia Barrino - "All My Life" by K-Ci & JoJo
- Diana DeGarmo - "No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)" by Donna Summer and Barbra Streisand
- Fantasia Barrino - "Summertime" by Abbie Mitchell
- Diana DeGarmo - "Don't Cry Out Loud" by Melissa Manchester
- Fantasia Barrino - "I Believe"
Winner[]
Fantasia Barrino was the winner of American Idol Season 3 on May 26, 2004.
Results Performances[]
Notable past Idol contestants[]
- Jon Peter Lewis, who finished in 8th place, later auditioned for season 4 of the NBC show The Voice in 2013 as part of the duo Midas Whale with Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine as their mentor. The duo were eliminated in the Knockout Rounds.
- Taryn Southern, who was eliminated in the Hollywood rounds, later appeared on the Project My World series and wrote and performed the 2007 "Hott4Hill" viral video.
- Alan Ritchson, who was also eliminated in Hollywood week, has appeared in numerous films and television shows as an actor. He made his debut as Aquaman in the CW series Smallville.
Controversy[]
Wild card eliminations[]
Viewers raised many complaints when, during the semifinal Wild Card round, 4 of the contestants were eliminated on the spot without being given a chance to sing, leaving only eight out of 12 contestants fighting for a chance to earn a spot in the top 12 that season. Singer Marque Lynche, brother of season 9 finalist Michael Lynche, walked out after being eliminated while the other 3 stayed behind.
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