The finale of Season 3 of American Idol took place on May 25th and 26th 2004. It featured Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo competing for the title of winner of American Idol.
Fantasia Barrino was declared the winner after over 65 million votes cast.
Contestants' Performances[]
The final two contestants performed three times.
| Diana DeGarmo | "I Believe" (Diana DeGarmo) | Runner-Up |
| Fantasia Barrino | "All My Life" (K-Ci & JoJo) | Winner |
| Diana DeGarmo | "No More Tears (Enough is Enough)" (Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer) | Runner-Up |
| Fantasia Barrino | "Summertime" (Abbie Mitchell) | Winner |
| Diana DeGarmo | "Don't Cry Out Loud" (Melissa Manchester) | Runner-Up |
| Fantasia Barrino | "I Believe" (Fantasia Barrino) | Winner |
Guest Performances[]
| LaToya London | "If You Don't Know Me by Now" (Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes) |
| George Huff | "Me and Mrs. Jones" (Billy Paul) |
| Jasmine Trias | "Midnight Train to Georgia (Gladys Knight & The Pips) |
| Tamyra Gray | "The Star Spangled Banner" |
| Fantasia Barrino, Diana DeGarmo, Kelly Clarkson and Ruben Studdard | "The Impossible Dream" (Richard Kiley) |
| Kelly Clarkson | "Beautiful Disaster" (Kelly Clarkson) |
| The Top 12 (Amy Adams, Fantasia Barrino, Diana DeGarmo, Jennifer Hudson, George Huff, Leah LaBelle, Jon Peter Lewis, LaToya London, Matthew Rogers, John Stevens, Jasmine Trias, Camile Velasco) | "Reach Out I'll Be There" (The Four Tops)
"1-2-3" (Gloria Estefan) "Heaven Knows (Donna Summer) "She Works Hard for the Money (Donna Summer) "Solid" (Ashford & Simpson) "It Don't Mean a Thing" (Duke Ellington) "I'm Still Standing" (Elton John) "I Made it Through the Rain" (Barry Manilow) |
| Ruben Studdard | "What If" (Ruben Studdard) |
| Diana DeGarmo | "I Believe" (Fantasia Barrino) |
| Fantasia Barrino | "Dreams" (Diana DeGarmo) |
| Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo | "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)" (Aretha Franklin and George Michael) |
Trivia[]
- Jennifer Love Hewitt helped co-host the pre-show finale.
- Christina Christian, Kimberly Caldwell, Clay Aiken, Kathy Griffin, Jon Voight, Frankie Muniz, Tom Arnold, Wayne Brady, Nicole Richie, Ray Romano, Sharon Osbourne, Henry Winkler, Steve Edwards, Guy Sebastian, Andy Richter, and Amy Yasbeck all made appearances during the Finale.
- The live rendition of "Beautiful Disaster" showcased during this Finale was featured as the final track in Kelly Clarkson's second studio album Breakaway.