The auditions for Season 8 of American Idol aired from January 13th, 2009 to January 29th, 2009, originally taking place between July 17th, 2008 and October 5th, 2008.
Phoenix Auditions[]
Successful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emily Wynne-Hughes | 30995 | 21 | Los Angeles, CA | Randy: 
Kara: |
| J.B. Ahfua | 34572 | 16 | Taylorsville, UT | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Arianna Afsar | 30252 | 16 | San Diego, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Stevie Wright | 36925 | 16 | Phelan, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Michael Sarver | 36762 | 27 | Jasper, TX | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Katrina Darrell | 32160 | 20 | Chino Hills, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Brianna Quijada | 28331 | 22 | Tempe, AZ | Randy: 
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Deanna Brown | 28393 | 25 | Louisville, KY | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Cody Sheldon | 17 | Detroit, MI | Randy: Unknown
Paula: Unknown Kara: Unknown Simon: Unknown | |
| Alex Wagner-Trugman | 26379 | 19 | Studio City, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Scott MacIntyre | 38136 | 23 | Scottsdale, AZ | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
Unsuccessful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuan Nguyen | 32530 | 20 | Spring Valley, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Randy Madden | 32691 | 27 | Moorpark, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Michael Gurr | 36332 | 17 | Mesa, AZ | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Will Kunick | 103076 | 17 | Garfield, NJ | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| D.J. Bradley | 22 | Seattle, WA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: | |
| Shawn Vasquez | 20 | Oakland, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: | |
| Aundre Caraway | 34537 | 20 | Phoenix, AZ | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Elijah Scarlett | 34715 | 22 | Phoenix, AZ | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Lea Marie Golde | 34718 | 16 | Los Angeles, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Eric Thomas | 34096 | 17 | Phoenix, AZ | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
A total of 27 contestants received Golden Tickets in Phoenix.
Kansas City Auditions[]
Successful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ashley Anderson | 68142 | 20 | Clarksburg, NJ | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Casey Carlson | 70298 | 20 | Minneapolis, MN | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Von Smith | 70090 | 22 | Greenwood, MO | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Michael Castro | 75108 | 20 | Rockwall, TX | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Matt Breitzke | 74922 | 27 | Bixby, OK | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Jessica Furney | 70698 | 19 | Wamego, KS | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| India Morrison | 77139 | 22 | Kansas City, MO | Randy: Unknown
Paula: Unknown Kara: Unknown Simon: Unknown |
| Jamar Rogers | 70808 | 26 | Milwaukee, WI | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Danny Gokey | 70891 | 28 | Milwaukee, WI | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Anoop Desai | 74002 | 21 | Chapel Hill, NC | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Asa Barnes | 77281 | 28 | Kansas City, MO | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Dennis Brigham | 75035 | 19 | Glen Carbon, IL | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Lil Rounds | 72315 | 23 | Memphis, TN | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
Unsuccessful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea Marquadt | 74752 | 19 | Parsons, KS | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Brian Hettler | 66487 | 20 | Kansas City, MO | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| James Michael Avance | 76088 | 20 | Edmond, OK | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Billy Vinson | 66947 | 27 | Lebanon, MO | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Chris Jones | 77249 | 21 | Mission, KS | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| DeAndre Hopkins | 22 | Kansas City, KS | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: | |
| Vaughn English | 66363 | 19 | Prairie Village, KS | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Jasmine Joseph | 76973 | 17 | Norfolk, NE | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Asia McClain | 77138 | 24 | Kansas City, MO | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Andrew Lang | 77030 | 19 | Columbia, MO | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Michael Nicewonder | 71859 | 20 | Grand Island, NE | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Mia Conley | 66230 | 27 | Kansas City, MO | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
A total of 27 singers received Golden Tickets in Kansas City.
San Francisco Auditions[]
Successful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tatiana Del Toro | 3325 | 23 | San Juan, PR | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Jesus Valenzula | 5393 | 29 | North Highlands, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| John Twiford | 5811 | 27 | Sherman Oaks, CA | Randy: Unknown
Paula: Unknown Kara: Unknown Simon: Unknown |
| Allison Iraheta | 16 | Los Angeles, CA | Randy: Unknown
Paula: Unknown Kara: Unknown Simon: Unknown | |
| Raquel Houghton | 18 | Los Angeles, CA | Randy: Unknown
Paula: Unknown Kara: Unknown Simon: Unknown | |
| Adam Lambert | 1877 | 26 | Hollywood, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Kai Kalama | 5913 | 26 | San Clemente, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
Unsuccessful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nick Reed | 3647 | 17 | Antelope, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Jiayi Yu | 12604 | 16 | San Mateo, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Dean-Anthony Bradford | 3289 | 27 | Pasadena, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Dalton Powell | 5622 | 18 | Manteca, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| James Smith | 3128 | 27 | Sacramento, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Akilah Askew-Gholston | 5190 | 26 | Oakland, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Annie Murdoch | 5230 | 28 | Novato, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
A total of 12 contestants received Golden Tickets in San Francisco.
Louisville Auditions[]
Successful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joanna Pacitti | 16071 | 23 | Philadelphia, PA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Unknown Simon: |
| Brent Keith Smith | 22813 | 28 | Blanchester, OH | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Matt Giraud | 13758 | 23 | Kalamazoo, MI | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Alexis Grace | 20075 | 20 | Memphis, TN | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Kris Allen | 25439 | 23 | Conway, AR | Randy: Unknown
Paula: Unknown Kara: Unknown Simon: Unknown |
| Felicia Barton | 16474 | 26 | Virginia Beach, VA | Randy: Unknown
Paula: Unknown Kara: Unknown Simon: Unknown |
| Ryan Johnson | 27 | Cincinnati, OH | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Unknown Simon: Unknown | |
| Shera Lawrence | 23 | Bowling Green, KY | Randy: Unknown
Paula: Unknown Kara: Unknown Simon: Unknown | |
| Leneshe Young | 20432 | 18 | Cincinnati, OH | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
Unsuccessful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiffany Shedd | 16597 | 18 | Cincinnati, OH | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Mark Mudd | 20879 | 25 | Coxs Creek, KY | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Irene Angueloba | 18768 | 28 | Moorestown, TN | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Obianuju Omwurah | 22142 | 19 | Mocksville, NC | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Wil Heuser | 20 | Louisville, KY | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: | |
| Ryan Benningfield | 25228 | 23 | Louisville, KY | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Patrick Warner | 25442 | 28 | Columbus, OH | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Ross Plavsic | 16059 | 26 | Crestview Hills, KY | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Aaron Williamson | 14281 | 27 | Louisville, KY | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Rebecca Garcia | 13776 | 24 | Nashville, TN | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
19 contestants received Golden Tickets in Louisville.
Jacksonville Auditions[]
Successful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Ulloa | 86819 | 22 | Beverly Hills, FL | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Sharon Wilbur | 78093 | 25 | Jacksonville, FL | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Julissa Veloz | 82855 | 19 | Orlando, FL | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Jasmine Murray | 84112 | 16 | Starkville, MS | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| T.K. Hash | 82587 | 23 | Concord, NH | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Ann Marie Boskovich | 81948 | 22 | Nashville, TN | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
Unsuccessful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dana Moreno | 88951 | 24 | West Palm Beach, FL | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Kaneswa Finnie | 81872 | 16 | Jacksonville, FL | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Darin Darnell | 82919 | 28 | Houston, TX | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| George Ramirez | 89078 | 18 | Jacksonville, FL | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Michael Perrelli | 86586 | 18 | Orlando, FL | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
16 contestants received Golden Tickets in Jacksonville.
Salt Lake City Auditions[]
Successful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Osmond | 28 | Provo, UT | Randy: Unknown
Paula: Unknown Kara: Unknown Simon: Unknown | |
| Frankie Jordan | 43788 | 24 | Hollywood, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Megan Corkrey | 43768 | 23 | Sandy, UT | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Austin Sisneros | 42950 | 17 | Riverton, UT | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Jarrett Burns | 24 | Orem, UT | Randy: Unknown
Paula: Unknown Kara: Unknown Simon: Unknown | |
| Taylor Vaifanua | 45111 | 16 | Hurricane, UT | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Rose Flack | 50043 | 17 | Rathdrum, ID | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
Unsuccessful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tara Mathews | 40030 | 21 | Salt Lake City, UT | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Aleesha Turner | 47163 | 19 | Herriman, UT | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Katie Sullivan | 18 | Orem, UT | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: | |
| Rich Kagel | 27 | Salt Lake City, UT | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: | |
| Chris Kirkham | 43647 | 26 | Ogden, UT | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Andrew Gibson | 43906 | 21 | Kearns, UT | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
13 people received Golden Tickets in Salt Lake City.
New York Auditions[]
Successful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Melinda Camille | 95837 | 27 | Stratford, CT | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Jackie Tohn | 102723 | 27 | Silver Lake, CA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Nick Mitchell | 95437 | 27 | Brookfield, CT | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Ashley Hollister | 21 | Hasbrouck Heights, NJ | Randy: Unknown
Paula: Unknown Kara: Unknown Simon: Unknown |
Unsuccessful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adeola Adegoke | 92353 | 19 | Bronx, NY | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Kate Cassidy | 92358 | 27 | Great Meadows, NJ | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Antyon Smith | 24 | New York, NY | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: | |
| Jasmine James | 91195 | 24 | Brooklyn, NY | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Mike Perlman | 91787 | 25 | Boston, MA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Mark Granata | 100482 | 25 | West Haverstraw, NY | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Michael Sconiers | 27 | Rochester, NY | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: | |
| Alexis Cohen | 94720 | 24 | Philadelphia, PA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
26 contestants received Golden Tickets in New York.
San Juan Auditions[]
Successful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jorge Nunez | 63695 | 20 | Carolina, PR | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Kenny Hoffpauer | 61376 | 16 | Havertown, PA | Randy: Unknown
Paula: Unknown Kara: Unknown Simon: Unknown |
| Kendall Beard | 23 | Austin, TX | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: | |
| Monique Garcia Torres | 60178 | 16 | San Juan, PR | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Patricia Lewis Roman | 63743 | 20 | Caguas, PR | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
Unsuccessful[]
| Name | Contestant # | Age | Hometown | Judges' Votes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jessika Baier | 59695 | 20 | Jackson, MI | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Carlos Santos | 21 | Bayamon, PR | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: | |
| Joel Contreras | 64360 | 23 | San Juan, PR | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
| Nicole Laraway | 67213 | 24 | Northampton, MA | Randy:
Paula: Kara: Simon: |
9 contestants received Golden Tickets in San Juan.
A grand total of 149 contestants received Golden Tickets in the entirety of Season 8.
Trivia[]
- The first auditions for Kara DioGuardi and the last auditions for Paula Abdul.
- The first time a United States territory (Puerto Rico) was included as an audition city.