American Idol ( season 8 ) - wikipedia American Idol ( season 8 ) American Idol Season 8 Broadcast from January 14 -- May 20, 2009 Judges Paula Abdul Simon Cowell Kara DioGuardi Randy Jackson Host ( s ) Ryan Seacrest Broadcaster Fox Broadcasting Company Finals venue Nokia Theatre Los Angeles Winner Kris Allen Origin Conway, Arkansas Song `` No Boundaries '' Genre ( s ) Pop Runner - up Adam Lambert Chronology ◀ 2009 ▶ 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 two contestants had been in the bottom three or two at least once before the finale, with the first being season three. 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. Seven contestants from this season were signed to record deals. The signed artists are Kris Allen, who was then signed to 19 Entertainment / Jive Records. In addition to Allen, Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta, Lil Rounds, Anoop Desai and Michael Sarver. Contents 1 Changes from previous season 1.1 Judges ' Save 2 Regional auditions 3 Hollywood week 4 Semifinals 4.1 Group 1 -- Billboard Hot 100 hits 4.2 Group 2 -- Billboard Hot 100 hits 4.3 Group 3 -- Billboard Hot 100 hits 4.4 Wild Card Round -- Billboard Hot 100 hits 5 Finalists 6 Finals 6.1 Top 13 -- Michael Jackson 6.2 Top 11 -- Grand Ole Opry 6.3 Top 10 -- Motown 6.4 Top 9 -- Popular iTunes Downloads 6.5 Top 8 -- Year They Were Born 6.6 Top 7 ( first week ) -- Songs of the Cinema 6.7 Top 7 ( second week ) -- Disco 6.8 Top 5 -- Rat Pack Standards 6.9 Top 4 -- Rock music 6.10 Top 3 -- Judges ' choice and Contestants ' choice 6.11 Top 2 -- Contestant 's choice, Simon Fuller 's choice & the winner 's single 7 Elimination chart 8 Other performances 8.1 Group song 8.2 Guest performances 9 Finale 10 Contestants who appeared on other shows 11 Controversies 11.1 Joanna Pacitti 11.2 Telephone number 11.3 Lip - syncing 11.4 Finale vote 12 Awards and nominations 12.1 Primetime Emmy Awards 12.2 Teen Choice Awards 13 U.S. Nielsen ratings 14 See also 15 References 16 External links Changes from previous season Several changes were planned for season eight. 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. The twelfth season is the first season the judges ' save was not used. Placings of the recipients have ranged from eighth place to runner - up. 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 City, 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 Contestants were required to be between the ages 16 and 28 on July 15, 2008 and eligible to work in the United States. Contestants were ineligible if they had previously reached the semifinal in Season 1 - 3 and 7, or the top 44 from season 4 and 5, or top 40 from season 6. They were also ineligible if they held then current recording or management contracts or if they were not U.S. citizens or landed immigrants ( i.e. temporary residents ). 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. Semifinals The 36 contestants performed in three groups of twelve and sang songs that were Billboard Hot 100 hits. 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. Group 1 -- Billboard Hot 100 hits Order Contestant Song ( original artist ) Result Jackie Tohn `` A Little Less Conversation '' ( Elvis Presley ) Eliminated Ricky Braddy `` A Song for You '' ( Leon Russell ) Wild Card Alexis Grace `` I Never Loved a Man ( The Way I Love You ) '' ( Aretha Franklin ) Advanced 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 Do n'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 Group 2 -- Billboard Hot 100 hits Order Contestant Song ( original artist ) Result Jasmine Murray `` Love Song '' ( Sara Bareilles ) Wild Card Matt Giraud `` Viva la Vida '' ( Coldplay ) Wild Card Jeanine Vailes `` This Love '' ( Maroon 5 ) Eliminated Norman Gentle `` 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 Ca n't Get No ) Satisfaction '' ( The Rolling Stones ) Advanced Jump up ^ Nick Mitchell performed his song as his alter ego `` Norman Gentle ''. Group 3 -- Billboard Hot 100 hits Order Contestant Song ( original artist ) Result Von Smith `` You 're All I Need to Get By '' ( Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell ) Wild Card Taylor Vaifanua `` If I Ai n't Got You '' ( Alicia Keys ) Eliminated Alex Wagner - Trugman `` I Guess That 's Why They Call It the Blues '' ( Elton John ) Eliminated 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 Wo n'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 `` Do n't Let the Sun Go Down on Me '' ( Elton John ) Advanced 12 Lil Rounds `` Be Without You '' ( Mary J. Blige ) Advanced ^ Note 1 : 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 Jesse Langseth `` Tell Me Something Good '' ( Rufus and Chaka Khan ) Eliminated Matt Giraud `` Who 's Lovin ' You '' ( The Miracles ) Advanced Megan Joy `` Black Horse and the Cherry Tree '' ( KT Tunstall ) Advanced 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 This section needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. ( March 2016 ) Kris Allen Kris Allen ( born June 21, 1985 in Jacksonville, Arkansas, 23 years old 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 on May 20. 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. Adam Lambert 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 took part in theater and 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 the band The Citizen Vein briefly. He also worked as a demo singer, and those recordings were released after his appearance on Idol in the album Take One. Lambert roomed with Kris Allen during the show. Lambert was the runner - up. He was signed to RCA Records after the show and released his debut album For Your Entertainment. Danny Gokey 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 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. In making the final she became the series ' youngest finalist at sixteen and turned seventeen during the Top 5 week. Her debut album, Just Like You, was released on December 1, 2009, with the single `` Friday I 'll Be Over U ''. Matt Giraud 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 Do n'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 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. He began his career as an actor for the television station WRAL - TV in Raleigh, North Carolina 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 Idol history, making it a top 13. Lil Rounds 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 musician 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 master 's 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 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 `` Ca n'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 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. Alexis Grace 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 old 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 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 Lil Rounds `` The Way You Make Me Feel '' Safe Scott MacIntyre `` Keep the Faith '' Safe Danny Gokey `` P.Y.T. ( Pretty Young Thing ) '' Safe Michael Sarver `` You Are Not Alone '' Safe 5 Jasmine Murray `` I 'll Be There '' ( The Jackson 5 ) Eliminated 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 ) Eliminated 10 Megan Joy `` Rockin ' Robin '' ( Bobby Day ) Safe 11 Adam Lambert `` Black or White '' Safe 12 Matt Giraud `` Human Nature '' Safe 13 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 Travis Order Contestant Song ( original artist ) Result Michael Sarver `` Ai n't Goin ' Down ( ' Til the Sun Comes Up ) '' ( Garth Brooks ) Bottom 2 Allison Iraheta `` Blame It on Your Heart '' ( Patty Loveless ) Bottom 3 Kris Allen `` Make You Feel My Love '' ( Bob Dylan ) Safe 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 Robinson Order Contestant Song ( original artist ) Result Matt Giraud `` Let 's Get It On '' ( Marvin Gaye ) Bottom 2 Kris Allen `` How Sweet It Is ( To Be Loved by You ) '' ( Marvin Gaye ) Safe Scott MacIntyre `` You Ca n't Hurry Love '' ( The Supremes ) Bottom 3 Megan Joy `` For Once in My Life '' ( Jean DuShon ) Safe 5 Anoop Desai `` Ooo Baby Baby '' ( The Miracles ) Safe 6 Michael Sarver `` Ai n'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 Anoop Desai `` Caught Up '' ( Usher ) Bottom 2 Megan Joy `` Turn Your Lights Down Low '' ( Bob Marley ) Eliminated Danny Gokey `` What Hurts the Most '' ( Mark Wills ) Safe Allison Iraheta `` Do n'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 `` Ai n't No Sunshine '' ( Bill Withers ) Safe Top 8 -- Year They Were Born Order Contestant Song ( original artist ) Result Danny Gokey `` Stand By Me '' ( Ben E. King ) Safe Kris Allen `` All She Wants to Do Is Dance '' ( Don Henley ) Safe Lil Rounds `` What 's Love Got to Do with It '' ( Tina Turner ) Bottom 3 Anoop Desai `` True Colors '' ( Cyndi Lauper ) Bottom 2 5 Scott MacIntyre `` The Search Is Over '' ( Survivor ) Eliminated 6 Allison Iraheta `` I Ca n'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 Tarantino Order Contestant Song ( original artist ) -- Film Result Allison Iraheta `` I Do n't Want to Miss a Thing '' ( Aerosmith ) -- Armageddon Safe Anoop Desai `` ( Everything I Do ) I Do It for You '' ( Bryan Adams ) -- Robin Hood : Prince of Thieves Bottom 3 Adam Lambert `` Born to Be Wild '' ( Steppenwolf ) -- Easy Rider Safe Matt Giraud `` Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman ? '' ( Bryan Adams ) -- Don Juan DeMarco Saved 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 Lil Rounds `` I 'm Every Woman '' ( Chaka Khan ) Eliminated Kris Allen `` She Works Hard for the Money '' ( Donna Summer ) Safe Danny Gokey `` September '' ( Earth, Wind & Fire ) Safe Allison Iraheta `` Hot Stuff '' ( Donna Summer ) Bottom 3 5 Adam Lambert `` If I Ca n't Have You '' ( Yvonne Elliman ) Safe 6 Matt Giraud `` Stayin ' Alive '' ( The Bee Gees ) Safe 7 Anoop Desai `` Dim All the Lights '' ( Donna Summer ) Eliminated 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 Foxx Order Contestant Song ( original artist ) Result Kris Allen `` The Way You Look Tonight '' ( Fred Astaire ) Bottom 3 Allison Iraheta `` Someone to Watch Over Me '' ( Gertrude Lawrence ) Safe Matt Giraud `` My Funny Valentine '' ( Mitzi Green ) Eliminated 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 : Slash Each contestant sang one solo and one duet with a fellow contestant. Order Contestant Song ( original artist ) Result Adam Lambert `` Whole Lotta Love '' ( Led Zeppelin ) Safe Allison Iraheta `` Cry Baby '' ( Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters ) Eliminated Kris Allen & Danny Gokey `` Renegade '' ( Styx ) N / A 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 Danny Gokey `` Dance Little Sister '' ( Terence Trent D'Arby ) -- Paula Abdul Eliminated Kris Allen `` Apologize '' ( OneRepublic ) -- Randy Jackson & Kara DioGuardi Safe Adam Lambert `` One '' ( U2 ) -- Simon Cowell Safe 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 Adam Lambert `` Mad World '' ( Tears for Fears ) Runner up Kris Allen `` Ai n't No Sunshine '' ( Bill Withers ) Winner Adam Lambert `` A Change is Gonna Come '' ( Sam Cooke ) Runner up Kris Allen `` What 's Going On '' ( Marvin Gaye ) Winner 5 Adam Lambert `` No Boundaries '' Runner up 6 Kris Allen `` No Boundaries '' Winner Elimination chart Legend Female Male Top 36 Wild Card Top 13 Winner Did Not Perform Safe Safe First Safe Last Eliminated Judges ' Save Stage : Semi Finals Wild Card Finals Week : 2 / 18 2 / 26 3 / 4 3 / 5 3 / 11 3 / 18 3 / 26 4 / 1 4 / 8 4 / 15 4 / 22 4 / 29 5 / 6 5 / 13 5 / 20 Place Contestant Result Kris Allen Top 13 Bottom 3 Winner Adam Lambert Top 13 Bottom 2 Runner - up Danny Gokey Top 13 Elim Allison Iraheta Top 13 Bottom 3 Bottom 3 Bottom 3 Elim 5 Matt Giraud Wild Card Top 13 Bottom 2 Saved Elim 6 -- 7 Anoop Desai Wild Card Top 13 Bottom 2 Bottom 2 Bottom 3 Elim Lil Rounds Top 13 Bottom 3 Bottom 2 8 Scott MacIntyre Top 13 Bottom 3 Elim 9 Megan Joy Wild Card Top 13 Elim 10 Michael Sarver Top 13 Bottom 2 Elim 11 Alexis Grace Top 13 Elim 12 -- 13 Jorge Núñez Top 13 Elim Jasmine Murray Wild Card Top 13 14 -- 17 Ricky Braddy Wild Card Elim Tatiana Del Toro Wild Card Jesse Langseth Wild Card Von Smith Wild Card 18 -- 36 Arianna Afsar Elim Felicia Barton Kendall Beard Ju'Not Joyner Nathaniel Marshall Kristen McNamara Taylor Vaifanua Alex Wagner - Trugman Matt Breitzke Elim Mishavonna Henson Kai Kalama Nick Mitchell Jeanine Vailes Ann Marie Boskovich Elim Casey Carlson Stephen Fowler Brent Keith Jackie Tohn Stevie Wright ^ Note 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. ^ Note 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. ^ Note 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. ^ Note 4 Due to the judges using their one save, in order to save Matt Giraud, the Top 7 remained intact for another week. ^ Note 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. ^ Note 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 / `` Ai n't No Mountain High Enough '' by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell Top 9 : `` Do n't Stop Believin ' '' by Journey Top 8 : `` Ca n'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 Do n't Mean a Thing ( If It Ai n'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 Top 10 Ruben Studdard `` Together '' did not debut N / A pre-recorded Smokey Robinson Joss Stone `` You 're the One for Me '' did not debut N / A live performance Stevie Wonder `` My Chérie Amour '' / `` Superstition '' / `` Overjoyed '' / `` All About the Love Again '' ineligible to re-enter N / A live performance Top 9 David Cook `` Come Back to Me '' 63 ( debut ) 40 ( 39,430 + 498 % ) pre-recorded Lady Gaga `` Poker Face '' 2 ( + 1 ) 2 ( 228,799 + 11 % ) live performance Top 8 Frankie Avalon `` Venus '' N / A N / A live performance Flo Rida Wynter Gordon `` Right Round '' 3 ( = ) 4 ( 179,913 + 9 % ) live performance Kellie Pickler `` Best Days of Your Life '' 50 ( + 53 ) 34 ( 46,825 + 257 % ) live performance Top 7 ( week 1 ) Jennifer Hudson `` If This Is n't Love '' 63 ( + 23 ) 86 ( 19,112 + 172 % ) live performance Miley Cyrus `` The Climb '' 4 ( + 4 ) 2 ( 189,566 + 0 % ) pre-recorded Top 7 ( week 2 ) David Archuleta `` Touch My Hand '' did not debut 107 ( 12,875 + 558 % ) live performance Freda Payne Thelma Houston KC Medley of `` Band of Gold '' `` Do n't Leave Me This Way '' `` Get Down Tonight. '' ineligible to re-enter N / A live performance Top 5 Natalie Cole `` Something 's Gotta Give '' did not debut N / A live performance Taylor Hicks Seven Mile Breakdown did not debut N / A live performance Jamie Foxx `` Blame It '' 2 ( + 2 ) 4 ( + 6 ) live performance Top 4 Paula Abdul `` I 'm Just Here for the Music '' 87 ( debut ) 61 ( 24,615 + 999 % ) pre-recorded No Doubt `` Just a Girl '' ineligible to re-enter TBA pre-recorded Daughtry `` No Surprise '' 15 ( debut ) 7 ( 103,593 + 999 % ) live performance Top 3 Noah Mushimiyimana `` I 'm the World 's Greatest '' NA NA live performance Jordin Sparks `` Battlefield '' 32 ( debut ) 12 ( 75,007 + 999 % ) live performance Katy Perry `` Waking Up in Vegas '' 13 ( + 38 ) 5 ( 103,921 ) + 180 % live performance Top 2 Carrie Underwood `` Home Sweet Home '' 79 ( re-entry ) TBA live performance on May 19, 2009 Finale The finale took place at the Nokia Theatre on May 20, 2009. Musical Performances : `` So What '' ( Pink ) - Top 13 `` Permanent '' ( David Cook ) - David Cook `` Cue the Rain '' ( Queen Latifah ) - Queen Latifah & Lil Rounds `` I 'm Yours '' ( Jason Mraz ) - Jason Mraz, Anoop Desai & Alexis Grace ( the rest of the top 13 minus Kris & Adam joined at the end of the song ) `` Kiss a Girl '' ( Keith Urban ) - Keith Urban & Kris Allen `` Glamorous '' ( Fergie ) - Top 13 girls ( Alison Iraheta, Lil Rounds, Megan Joy, Alexis Grace & Jasmine Murray ) `` Big Girls Do n't Cry '' ( Fergie ) - Fergie with Top 13 girls `` Boom Boom Pow '' ( The Black Eyed Peas ) - The Black Eyed Peas `` Time After Time '' ( Cyndi Lauper ) - Cyndi Lauper & Alison Iraheta `` Hello '' ( Lionel Richie ) - Danny Gokey `` Just Go '' ( Lionel Richie ) - Lionel Richie & Danny Gokey `` All Night Long '' ( Lionel Richie ) - Lionel Richie & Danny Gokey `` Beth '' ( KISS ) - Adam Lambert `` Detroit Rock City '' ( KISS ) - KISS & Adam Lambert `` Rock and Roll All Night '' ( KISS ) - KISS & Adam Lambert `` Black Magic Woman '' ( Santana ) - Carlos Santana & Matt Giraud `` Smooth '' ( Santana ) - Carlos Santana & Top 13 `` Pretty Flowers '' ( Steve Martin ) - Megan Joy, Michael Sarver with Steve Martin playing banjo `` Do You Think I 'm Sexy '' ( Rod Stewart ) - Top 13 guys ( Kris Allen, Adam Lambert, Danny Gokey, Matt Giraud, Annop Desai, Scott MacIntyre, Michael Sarver, Jorge Nunez ) `` Maggie May '' ( Rod Stewart ) - Rod Stewart `` We Are the Champions '' ( Queen ) - Queen, Kris Allen & Adam Lambert ( later joined by the rest of the top 13 ) `` No Boundaries '' ( Kris Allen ) - Kris Allen Idol Awards : Outstanding Male - Nick Mitchell ( as Norman Gentle ) `` And I 'm Not Going '' ( Dreamgirls ) Best Attitude Katrina Derrel ( bikini girl ) `` Vision of Love '' with Kara DioGuardi Outstanding Female - Tatiana Del Toro `` Saving All My Love '' Contestants who appeared on other shows American Idol season 9 finalist Lacey Brown originally auditioned for this season, but she was cut in a singoff with Megan Joy in the green mile round. American Idol season 10 finalist James Durbin originally auditioned for this season, but was not chosen. Jamar Rogers, who was cut in the green mile round in this season of American Idol, would go on as contestant on the second season of NBC 's The Voice and made it to the Semi-Final round before being eliminated. Jenn Korbee, who was cut in the green mile round in this season of American Idol, was a cast member in the American version of Hi - 5 under the name of Jennifer Peterson - Hind. Wil Heuser, who auditioned for the show would later appear on the fourteenth season of Big Brother. Controversies Joanna Pacitti Joanna Pacitti, who was originally selected as a semi-finalist, created controversy due to her being previously signed to A&M and Geffen Records. Later, she was found to have been having a `` private relationship '' with 19 Management. She was later disqualified and replaced by Felicia Barton. Telephone number In the Top 13, the expected phone number for contestant Alexis Grace, 1 - 866 - IDOLS - 13, was not owned by American Idol, but by a company called Intimate Encounters, who used it as a phone sex line. Although host Ryan Seacrest mentioned the replacement phone number, 1 - 866 - IDOLS - 36, several times, some commentators feared that the phone number confusion could lead to Grace being inadvertently voted off the show. However, Grace was not voted off that week. Lip - syncing After the Top 11 program, Justin Guarini, while hosting Idol Wrap on TV Guide channel, asserted that the show 's group performances were being lip - synced. Soon after Guarini 's assertion was aired, a spokesperson for the producers of American Idol said, `` The Idols do n't lip - sync, period. '' The following day, the same spokesperson said that `` due to extensive choreography and to balance their voices with open mics against a screaming audience, the Idols do sing along to their own prerecorded vocal track during the group performances only. '' The spokesperson maintained that the performers sing their solo songs live, but their performances available to download through iTunes are recorded prior to airing. Finale vote Kris Allen 's win over Adam Lambert resulted in controversy about the voting process, prompted by a claim that of the nearly 100 million votes cast, as many as `` 38 million '' votes may have come from Arkansas, Kris 's home state, a state with only 2.86 million people. Although the claim was later retracted, it resulted in allegations that AT&T may have influenced the results. Fox had previously denied these claims as baseless, stating that the network has no preference on who the winner might be. AT&T meanwhile said in a statement that the vote tally above was based on incorrect information and apologized by saying that `` AT&T does not divulge or confirm how many votes were cast in any state. '' On May 27, 2009, the producers of the show stated that they `` stand by the outcome '' and are `` absolutely certain '' that `` without a doubt Kris Allen is the American Idol. '' Awards and nominations Primetime Emmy Awards Year Category Nominee ( s ) Episode Result 2009 Outstanding Reality Show or Reality Competition American Idol Nominated Outstanding Directing For a Variety, Music Or Comedy Special Bruce Gowers Show 833 ( The Final Three ) Won Outstanding Host for a Reality - Competition Program Ryan Seacrest Nominated Teen Choice Awards Year Category Nominee ( s ) Result 2009 Choice Male Reality / Variety Star Kris Allen Nominated Adam Lambert Won Choice Summer Tour American Idol Top 10 Nominated U.S. nielsen ratings Season eight was the top show for the 2008 -- 09 broadcast primetime season and took the top two spots for its Tuesday and Wednesday episodes. The viewers number for the Wednesday episodes averaged 25.527 million, while the Tuesday episodes averaged 24.741 million. The ratings were down from season seven, with the finale dropping 13 % in the 18 -- 49 demo and 9 % in total viewers number. Episode list Show Episode Air date Week rank Rating / Share 18 - 49 rating / Share Viewers ( millions ) `` Phoenix Auditions '' January 13, 2009 15.8 / 23 11.7 / 28 30.424 `` Kansas City Auditions '' January 14, 2009 16.4 / 25 11.8 / 30 30.322 `` San Francisco Auditions '' January 20, 2009 12.1 / 18 9.0 / 22 22.773 `` Louisville Auditions '' January 21, 2009 14.3 / 22 9.8 / 24 25.897 5 `` Jacksonville Auditions '' January 27, 2009 13.7 / 20 9.6 / 24 25.539 6 `` Salt Lake City Auditions '' January 28, 2009 15.0 / 23 10.1 / 25 27.364 7 `` New York & San Juan Auditions '' January 29, 2009 5 13.6 / 21 9.3 / 25 24.613 8 `` Hollywood Round, Part 1 '' February 3, 2009 14.7 / 22 10.0 / 25 26.601 9 `` Hollywood Round, Part 2 '' February 4, 2009 14.8 / 23 9.9 / 27 26.384 10 `` Hollywood Round, Part 3 '' February 10, 2009 13.9 / 21 9.2 24.941 11 `` Hollywood Round, Part 4 '' February 11, 2009 14.0 / 22 9.5 24.825 12 `` Group 1 Semi-finalists Perform '' February 17, 2009 14.3 / 21 9.6 25.374 13 `` Group 1 Results Show '' February 18, 2009 14.1 / 22 9.0 / 24 24.790 14 `` Group 2 Semi-finalists Perform '' February 25, 2009 13.8 / 21 9.1 24.541 15 `` Group 2 Results Show '' February 26, 2009 11.9 / 19 7.1 / 19 20.889 16 `` Group 3 Semi-finalists Perform '' March 3, 2009 13.8 / 21 9.0 24.309 17 `` Group 3 Results Show '' March 4, 2009 13.1 / 21 7.8 / 22 22.776 18 `` Wild Card Round '' March 5, 2009 12.2 / 19 7.6 / 20 21.498 19 `` Top 13 Perform '' March 10, 2009 14.6 / 23 9.5 25.767 20 `` Top 13 Results '' '' March 11, 2009 14.6 / 22 9.1 / 22 25.547 21 `` Top 11 Perform '' March 17, 2009 12.3 / 19 8.1 / 21 21.886 22 `` Top 11 Results '' March 18, 2009 13.7 / 21 8.7 23.705 23 `` Top 10 Perform '' March 25, 2009 14.7 / 23 9.3 26.025 24 `` Top 10 Results '' March 26, 2009 13.2 / 21 7.7 23.102 25 `` Top 9 Perform '' March 31, 2009 13.7 / 21 8.9 24.410 26 `` Top 9 Results '' April 1, 2009 14.2 / 22 8.4 / 20 24.342 27 `` Top 8 Perform '' April 7, 2009 13.1 / 21 8.1 / 22 22.813 28 `` Top 8 Results '' April 8, 2009 13.4 / 21 8.0 / 20 22.976 29 `` Top 7 Perform '' April 14, 2009 13.8 / 21 8.2 / 23 24.378 30 `` Top 7 Results '' April 15, 2009 14.0 / 22 8.0 / 20 24.114 31 `` Top 7 Redux '' April 21, 2009 13.9 / 22 8.2 23.963 32 `` Top 7 Redux Results '' April 22, 2009 14.0 / 22 8.3 23.947 33 `` Top 5 Perform '' April 28, 2009 13.5 / 21 8.1 23.261 34 `` Top 5 Results '' April 29, 2009 13.2 / 20 7.7 / 19 22.369 35 `` Top 4 Perform '' May 5, 2009 13.4 / 21 8.3 23.414 36 `` Top 4 Results '' May 6, 2009 13.7 / 21 8.3 / 20 23.574 37 `` Top 3 Perform '' May 12, 2009 13.0 / 22 8.0 22.712 38 `` Top 3 Results '' May 13, 2009 14.0 / 21 8.7 / 21 24.670 39 `` Top 2 Perform '' May 19, 2009 13.5 / 21 8.6 23.822 40 `` Season 8 Finale '' May 20, 2009 16.1 / 27 10.0 28.838 See also List of American Idol episodes : Season 8 American Idols LIVE ! Tour 2009 References Jump up ^ Songwriter Kara DioGuardi joins ' American Idol ' panel Jump up ^ Paula Abdul Leaving ' American Idol ' Archived 2009 - 08 - 08 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ OK ! Magazine -- First for Celebrity News -- Less is More for Next Season of American Idol ( Google Cache ) Jump up ^ ' Idol 's ' emotional focus will highlight Abdul Jump up ^ Associated Press Archived August 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ Lythgoe Leaving ' American Idol ' Jump up ^ American Idol Shelves `` Give Back '' Show for 2009 Season Jump up ^ Fox releases ' American Idol ' schedule, confirms format changes Jump up ^ MTV How WIll The Wild - Card Round Work On ' American Idol ' Jump up ^ `` New ' Idol ' rule could give judges veto power - Access Hollywood - msnbc.com ''. MSNBC. 2009 - 11 - 03. Retrieved 2010 - 08 - 25. Jump up ^ Who Will Be The Next Singing Superstar ? -- American Idol News Jump up ^ American Idol Do you know these KC singers ? Jump up ^ Release says San Francisco ; arena is actually in Daly City, though part of its property is in San Francisco. Jump up ^ Churchill Downs is hosting American Idol Jump up ^ The audition you did n't see... Archived 2012 - 03 - 26 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ Kara DioGuardi joins ' Idol ' judges for NYC tryouts Jump up ^ Bikini girl Katrina Darrell says she 's not ' just some fluke in a bikini ' Jump up ^ `` Top 13 -- Secret Talents ''. Retrieved 2009 - 03 - 13. ^ Jump up to : American Idol Jump up ^ Kris Allen -- 19 Recordings Has Signed the American Idol Season 8 Winner and Has Licensed to Jive Records Archived 2009 - 06 - 12 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ San Diego Union - Tribune Staff Writer ( February 24, 2009 ). `` ' Idol ' hopeful banks on theatrics to snag a spot ''. Archived from the original on February 27, 2009. Retrieved March 11, 2009. Jump up ^ Rocchio, Christopher ( 2 March 2009 ). `` Adam Lambert dishes on making ' American Idol 's Top 12 finals ''. Reality TV World. Archived from the original on March 5, 2009. Retrieved 6 March 2009. Jump up ^ `` Idols move into the Idol Mansion. ''. Archived from the original on March 24, 2009. Retrieved 2009 - 03 - 30. Jump up ^ `` American Idol finalists are church worship leaders '' Archived April 21, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Associated Press via WNCT, February 20, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Milwaukee man says he 's prepared to give his all to make ' Idol ' finals '' by Tim Cuprisin, Feb. 13, 2009, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Jump up ^ `` ' Idol 's grieving Danny Gokey hopes to lighten up '' Jill Serjeant, Feb 19, 2009, Reuters. Jump up ^ Simon Cowell & Randy Jackson ( 2009 - 02 - 27 ). `` Semi-finals 2 Wednesday ''. American Idol. Season 8. Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Fox Broadcasting Company. Jump up ^ Allison sonó en el `` Idol '' Archived 2009 - 05 - 10 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ Matt 's back ! ` Idol ' contestant Giraud rocks Monaco Bay - MLive.com Archived 2009 - 06 - 01 at the Wayback Machine. ^ Jump up to : Los Angeles Times ( February 12, 2009 ). `` The Contenders : Meet Matt Giraud ''. The Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on April 5, 2009. Retrieved 2009 - 03 - 14. Jump up ^ W.H. Fuller Elementary Gifted and Talented Magnet School, Raleigh, NC Jump up ^ Anoop Desai in American Idol top 10 - Rediff.com Movies Jump up ^ Anoop Before Idol Archived May 26, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ The UNC Clef Hangers News Archived February 16, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ UNC Clef Hangers Album Details Archived February 11, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. ^ Jump up to : Lil Rounds and Anoop Desai - Anoop desai - American Idol Jump up ^ Blogs The Augusta Chronicle Archived 2009 - 05 - 29 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ Cordova, Randy ( March 3, 2009 ). `` Tempe woman shares unusual part of ' Idol ' singer 's success ''. The Arizona Republic. Jump up ^ Concros, Erin ( April 24, 2005 ). `` At 19, nearly sightless pianist is used to breaking musical barriers ''. East Valley Tribune. Archived from the original on May 28, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Homeschooler Among Top Contestants on TV Show ''. Home School Legal Defense Association. March 3, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Scott Macintyre, a 2004 AYAC Winner and an American Idol Finalist ! ''. Herberger Theater Center. March 8, 2009. Jump up ^ `` 2005 College Academic All - Stars First Team ''. USA Today. February 16, 2005. Jump up ^ Dish Of Salt : Inside ' Idol ' With Kara DioGuardi Access Hollywood - Celebrity News, Photos & Videos Jump up ^ Brian Mansfield ( March 9, 2009 ). `` Megan Joy dumps the Corkrey ''. USA Today. Archived from the original on May 29, 2009. ( Idol Chatter blog ) Jump up ^ Marjorie Szaroleta. `` Michael Sarver is n't ready to go back to oil rig ''. Associated Press. Archived from the original on 31 March 2009. Retrieved 2009 - 03 - 28. Jump up ^ City of Sulphur rallies votes for Michael Sarver - KPLC 7 News, Lake Charles, Louisiana Jump up ^ American Idol 8 : Cast and Results Jump up ^ ( 1 ) Archived March 17, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ `` Top... 13 ? ! A report from the after - party Idol Tracker Los Angeles Times ''. Latimesblogs.latimes.com. 2009 - 03 - 06. Retrieved 2010 - 01 - 10. Jump up ^ Lopez, Korina ( 2009 - 03 - 13 ). `` Jorge Nunez : ' Everything is going to be great ' ''. Usatoday.Com. Retrieved 2010 - 01 - 10. Jump up ^ `` Lil Rounds Leads Slew of Strong Semifinalists ''. The Hollywood Gossip. 2009 - 03 - 04. Retrieved 2010 - 01 - 10. Jump up ^ Official Site for Videos, Photos, Community - American Idol Jump up ^ Apel, Therese ( 2009 - 02 - 12 ). `` MSA student in ' Idol ' Top 36 ''. The Daily Leader. Archived from the original on 2009 - 07 - 27. Jump up ^ Watkins, Billy ( 2009 - 02 - 24 ). `` A star in the making ? 3 Miss. cities happily lay claim to ' Idol ' contestant Murray ''. Clarion Ledger. Retrieved 2009 - 03 - 06. Jump up ^ `` MJ On TV : `` American Idol '', Bashir Specials Tonight, `` So You Think You Can Dance '' In Near Future ``. MTV Newsroom. June 29, 2009. Retrieved 2009 - 06 - 30. Jump up ^ Borzillo - Vrenna, Carrie ( March 11, 2009 ). `` American Idol : What You Did n't See ''. E !. Archived from the original on March 14, 2009. Retrieved March 12, 2009. Jump up ^ Vary, Adam B. ( March 18, 2009 ). `` American Idol : On the scene at the Top 11 performance night -- special appearance by Carrie Underwood ! ''. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 21 March 2009. Retrieved March 18, 2009. Jump up ^ Pastorek, Whitney ( March 26, 2009 ). `` American Idol : On the scene for Top 10 performance night ''. Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 29 March 2009. Retrieved March 26, 2009. Jump up ^ ( 2 ) Archived April 25, 2009, at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ ' American Idol ' : On the scene for Top 4 performance night... and chaos PopWatch EW.com Jump up ^ Elber, Lynn ( February 12, 2009 ). `` Joanna Pacitti Disqualified From `` American Idol '' ``. The Huffington Post. Jump up ^ ' Idol ' has to avoid porn line for 13th singer - Entertainment - Reality TV - TODAYshow.com Jump up ^ Montgomery, James ( March 11, 2009 ). `` Will ' Idol ' Phone Snafu Sink Alexis Grace ? ''. Archived from the original on March 14, 2009. Retrieved 2009 - 03 - 15. ^ Jump up to : Wyatt, Edward ( March 25, 2009 ). `` ' Idol ' Group Numbers : Not So Live After All ''. The New York Times. p. C1. Jump up ^ Kaufman, Gil ( March 26, 2009 ). `` ' American Idol ' Producers Admit Group Sing - Alongs Are Lip - Synched ''. MTV. Jump up ^ American Idol winner is crowned Jump up ^ `` Report : Kris Allen 's home state cast 38 million ' American Idol ' votes ''. Realitytvworld.com. May 21, 2009. Retrieved February 24, 2011. Jump up ^ `` Conway reacts to Kris ' win ''. Fox16.com. Retrieved February 24, 2011. Jump up ^ Wyatt, Edward ( May 27, 2009 ). `` AT&T May Have Swayed ' Idol ' Results ''. The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2010. Jump up ^ Wyatt, Edward ( May 25, 2009 ). `` ' Idol ' Strives to Sustain Its High Note ''. The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2010. Jump up ^ Conway reacts to Kris ' win - FOX16.com Little Rock, AR Jump up ^ Wyatt, Edward ( May 28, 2009 ). `` ' Idol ' Producers Stand by Outcome ''. The New York Times. Retrieved April 23, 2010. Jump up ^ ' American Idol ' voting controversy : AT&T and Fox deny impact on results Inside TV EW.com Archived 2009 - 07 - 01 at the Wayback Machine. Jump up ^ `` Fox : Allen won ' Idol ' fair and square - CNN.com ''. CNN. May 27, 2009. Retrieved April 23, 2010. Jump up ^ Joyce Eng ( September 20, 2009 ). `` Kristin Chenoweth, Jon Cryer Win First Emmys ''. TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2009 - 09 - 20. Jump up ^ American Idol, Dancing With The Stars Top Average Viewership For 2008 - 9 Season Jump up ^ Ibarra, Sergio ( May 21, 2009 ). `` ' American Idol ' Finale Hits Ratings Low ''. Tvweek.com. Archived from the original on December 29, 2010. Retrieved February 24, 2011. ^ Jump up to : tvbythenumbers Jan 21, 2009 ^ Jump up to : Jan 27, 2009 ^ Jump up to : Feb 3, 2009 ^ Jump up to : Feb 10, 2009 ^ Jump up to : tvbythenumbers Feb 18, 2009 ^ Jump up to : Feb 24, 2009 ^ Jump up to : TV by the numbers 03 - 03 - 2009 ^ Jump up to : TV by the numbers 03 - 10 - 2009 ^ Jump up to : TV by the numbers 03 - 17 - 2009 ^ Jump up to : TV by the numbers 03 - 24 - 2009 ^ Jump up to : TV by the numbers 03 - 31 - 2009 ^ Jump up to : TV by the numbers 04 - 07 - 2009 ^ Jump up to : TV by the numbers 04 - 14 - 2009 ^ Jump up to : TV by the numbers 04 - 21 - 2009 ^ Jump up to : TV by the numbers 04 - 28 - 2009 ^ Jump up to : TV by the numbers 05 - 06 - 2009 ^ Jump up to : TV by the numbers 05 - 12 - 2009 ^ Jump up to : TV by the numbers 05 - 19 - 2009 ^ Jump up to : TV by the numbers 05 - 27 - 2009 External links American Idol Official Website MTV 's American Idol Coverage American Idol ( Season 8 ) on IMDb American Idol ( Season 8 ) at TV.com American Idol season 8 Finalists Kris Allen Adam Lambert Danny Gokey Allison Iraheta Matt Giraud Anoop Desai Lil Rounds Scott MacIntyre Megan Joy Michael Sarver Alexis Grace Jorge Núñez Jasmine Murray Other sources Episode list Tour `` No Boundaries '' American Idol Episodes Season 1 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Finalists Winners Kelly Clarkson Ruben Studdard Fantasia Barrino Carrie Underwood Taylor Hicks Jordin Sparks David Cook Kris Allen Lee DeWyze Scotty McCreery Phillip Phillips Candice Glover Caleb Johnson Nick Fradiani Trent Harmon Runners - up Justin Guarini Clay Aiken Diana DeGarmo Bo Bice Katharine McPhee Blake Lewis David Archuleta Adam Lambert Crystal Bowersox Lauren Alaina Jessica Sanchez Kree Harrison Jena Irene Clark Beckham La'Porsha Renae Winners ' singles `` A Moment Like This '' `` Flying Without Wings '' `` I Believe '' `` Inside Your Heaven '' `` Do I Make You Proud '' `` This Is My Now '' `` The Time of My Life '' `` No Boundaries '' `` Beautiful Day '' `` I Love You This Big '' `` Home '' `` I Am Beautiful '' `` As Long as You Love Me '' `` Beautiful Life '' `` Falling '' Concert tours 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Related programming Idol ( series ) American Juniors Idol Christmas Idol Extra Idol Gives Back Idol Rewind World Idol Related articles Alumni album sales Alumni awards and nominations Alumni in film, television and theater Alumni single sales Compilation series Controversies Discography Finalists Hot 100 singles `` Judge Me Tender '' The American Idol Experience Video game Nielsen Media Research top - rated United States network television show 1950s 50 -- 51 : Texaco Star Theater 51 -- 52 : Arthur Godfrey 's Talent Scouts 52 -- 53, 53 -- 54, 54 -- 55 : I Love Lucy 55 -- 56 : The $64,000 Question 56 -- 57 : I Love Lucy 57 -- 58, 58 -- 59, 59 -- 60 : Gunsmoke 1960s 60 -- 61 : Gunsmoke 61 -- 62 : Wagon Train 62 -- 63, 63 -- 64 : The Beverly Hillbillies ( S1, S2 ) 64 -- 65, 65 -- 66, 66 -- 67 : Bonanza 67 -- 68 : The Andy Griffith Show ( S8 ) 68 -- 69, 69 -- 70 : Rowan & Martin 's Laugh - In 1970s 70 -- 71 : Marcus Welby, M.D. 71 -- 72, 72 -- 73, 73 -- 74, 74 -- 75, 75 -- 76 : All in the Family ( S2, S3, S4, S5, S6 ) 76 -- 77 : Happy Days ( S4 ) 77 -- 78, 78 -- 79 : Laverne & Shirley ( S3, S4 ) 79 -- 80 : 60 Minutes 1980s 80 -- 81, 81 -- 82 : Dallas ( S4, S5 ) 82 -- 83 : 60 Minutes 83 -- 84 : Dallas ( S7 ) 84 -- 85 : Dynasty 85 -- 86, 86 -- 87, 87 -- 88, 88 -- 89 : The Cosby Show ( S2, S3, S4, S5 ) 89 -- 90 : Roseanne ( S2 ) / The Cosby Show ( S6 ) 1990s 90 -- 91 : Cheers ( S9 ) 91 -- 92, 92 -- 93, 93 -- 94 : 60 Minutes 94 -- 95 : Seinfeld ( S6 ) 95 -- 96, 96 -- 97 : ER ( S2, S3 ) 97 -- 98 : Seinfeld ( S9 ) 98 -- 99 : ER ( S5 ) 99 -- 2000 : Who Wants to Be a Millionaire 2000s 00 -- 01 : Survivor ( S2 - AO ) 01 -- 02 : Friends ( S8 ) 02 -- 03, 03 -- 04, 04 -- 05, : CSI : Crime Scene Investigation ( S3, S4, S5 ) 05 -- 06, 06 -- 07, 07 -- 08, 08 -- 09, 09 -- 10 : American Idol ( S5, S6, S7, S8, S9 ) 2010s 10 -- 11 : American Idol ( S10 ) 11 - 12 : NBC Sunday Night Football 12 - 13 : NCIS ( S10 ) 13 - 14, 14 - 15, 15 - 16, 16 -- 17 : NBC Sunday Night Football Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=American_Idol_(season_8)&oldid=800494787 '' Categories : American Idol seasons 2009 American television seasons 2009 in American television 2009 in American music Hidden categories : Webarchive template wayback links All articles with dead external links Articles with dead external links from October 2016 Articles with permanently dead external links Articles with dead external links from October 2010 Articles needing additional references from March 2016 All articles needing additional references Talk Contents About Wikipedia Español فارسی Gaeilge Bahasa Indonesia 日本 語 Русский Suomi Tiếng Việt 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 13 September 2017, at 22 : 20. 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Question: who won the 8th season of american idol
Answer: Kris Allen