Season 6

The **sixth season** of **American Idol** premiered on the Fox Broadcasting Company on January 16, 2007 and ran until May 23, 2007. Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson returned to judge once again, and Ryan Seacrest returned as host. Jordin Sparks won the competition with Blake Lewis as the first runner-up and Melinda Doolittle finishing third. At 17, Sparks was the youngest winner in the show's history.

This season also attracted a lot of attention because of a scandal involving sexy photos posted on the Internet of contestant Antonella Barba, who didn't make the top 12 despite making it all the way through the semifinals. Fellow contestant Sanjaya Malakar also attracted attention due to the support he received from the anti-Idol website Vote For The Worst, which encouraged people to vote for him despite poor song choices and frequent criticisms from the judges, who constantly called him out on his bad performances. Even radio shock jock Howard Stern pledged his support to Malakar, who ended up finishing in 7th place that season, higher then what others had predicted.

This season is also notable because people who competed during this time tried out for the show again in later seasons such as Rachel Zevita, who went on to make the top 24 during season 10, Pia Toscano, who finished in 9th place during season 10, and Baylie Brown, who auditioned for season 11 and made it to the top 25 that season.

## Auditions

For Season 6, auditions were held in the following cities:

* Minneapolis, Minnesota: Target Center - September 8
* Seattle, Washington: KeyArena - September 19
* Memphis, Tennessee: FedEx Forum - September 3
* New York City, New York: Continental Airlines Arena, East Rutherford - August 14
* Birmingham, Alabama: Birmingham Jefferson Convention Complex - August 21
* Los Angeles, California: Rose Bowl, Pasadena - August 6
* San Antonio, Texas: Alamodome - August 11

Auditioning contestants were required to be between the ages 16 and 28 on August 6. Many of the people who auditioned had trouble with the double doors, with many often going towards the wrong door on their way out; this was spoofed by Idol later in the season with "audition footage" featuring Tony Bennett. This did not seem to be a problem for the seventh season as both doors were accessible.

## Hollywood

The so-called "Hollywood" phase of the audition process was held over four days in mid-November 2006 at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles. The first round consisted of each contestant singing one song a capella of their own choosing in front of the judges and all the other contestants of the same gender. Contestants were then told whether they were moving on or going home, in groups of six. This extended over the first two days, first females, then males. The second round took place on the second and third day, and consisted of groups of three or four contestants choosing, rehearsing, and then performing one of nine pre-selected songs. Groups were reviewed and contestants were then judged individually as to whether they were moving on or going home. The third round took place on the fourth day, and consisted of individual contestants performing a song from a pre-selected list, accompanied by a piano and backup singers. Contestants were again informed of whether they had made the cut or not. The final pre-audience voting cut down took place at the Pasadena Civic Center on January 14 or 15, 2007, just before the regional audition shows began airing. Without any further auditioning, but possibly with some audience research having taken place, the 96 remaining contestants were reduced to 72. In a process taking a whole day, contestants wait in a sitting room until one by one, they go up an elevator and take a long walk to the other end of the Center's Gold Room. Then the three judges told them whether they have made it onto the stage show or are cut. Those cut at this phase included the "fountain girl" in the opening credits, Melissa Sgambelluri.

The 72 semi-finalists were announced February 14, 2007.

## Semi-finals

The semi-finals began on February 20. There were three shows each week for the three weeks of the semi-finals. The February 20 through May 16 shows originated from CBS Television City in Hollywood. There are no format changes from season 4 and 5. The semi-finals featured the contestants (24 total) divided by gender with the 36 male singers singing on Tuesdays and the 36 female singers on Wednesdays. Each person had the chance to select a song to sing live in front of the judges. Following the show's airing, each U.S. timezone would have two hours to vote by phone or by text-messaging. On Thursday, the two of each group with the lowest amount of votes were eliminated each week until the finals.

 Blake Lewis | Sanjaya Malakar | Chris Sligh | Jared Cotter

## Top 12 Finalists

The following contestants were Season 6's Top 12
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Females

* Jordin Sparks
* Melinda Doolittle
* LaKisha Jones
* Haley Scarnato
* Gina Glocksen
* Stephanie Edwards

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 File:AmericanIdol 12 0018s 1183123502.jpg
Males

* Blake Lewis
* Chris Richardson
* Phil Stacey
* Sanjaya Malakar
* Chris Sligh
* Brandon Rogers

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## Finals

### Top 12 perform

During the first round of the finals, the Top 12 performed a song from Diana Ross for a spot in the Top 11.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:S6finalist12.PNG
**Brandon Rogers** was the first contestant to be eliminated on March 14, 2007 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**.
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* Jordin Sparks
* Haley Scarnato
* Stephanie Edwards
* LaKisha Jones
* Gina Glocksen
* Melinda Doolittle

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* Blake Lewis
* Sanjaya Malakar *(bottom 3)*
* Chris Richardson
* Phil Stacey *(bottom 3)*
* Chris Sligh

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Brandon Rogers - "You Can't Hurry Love"
* Melinda Doolittle - "Home"
* Chris Sligh - "Endless Love"
* Gina Glocksen - "Love Child"
* Sanjaya Malakar - "Aint No Mountain High Enough"
* Haley Scarnato - "Missing You"
* Phil Stacey - "I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"
* LaKisha Jones - "God Bless the Child"
* Blake Lewis - "You Keep Me Hanging On"
* Stephanie Edwards - "Love Hangover"
* Chris Richardson - "The Boss"
* Jordin Sparks - "If We Hold On Together"

Group Performance:

* "Where Did Our Love Go"/"Baby Love"/"Stop! In The Name of Love" by The Supremes

### Top 11 perform

During the first round of the finals, the Top 10 performed a song from the British Invasion for a spot in the Top 10.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:S6finalist11.PNG
**Stephanie Edwards** was the second contestant to be eliminated on March 21, 2007 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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* Jordin Sparks
* Haley Scarnato
* LaKisha Jones
* Gina Glocksen
* Melinda Doolittle

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* Blake Lewis
* Sanjaya Malakar
* Chris Richardson *(bottom 2)*
* Phil Stacey
* Chris Sligh

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Haley Scarnato - "Tell Him" by The Exciters
* Chris Richardson - "Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying" by Gerry And The Pacemakers
* Stephanie Edwards - "You Don't Have to Say You Love Me" by Dusty Springfield
* Blake Lewis - "Time of the Season" by The Zombies
* LaKisha Jones - "Diamonds Are Forever" by Shirley Bassey
* Phil Stacey - "Tobacco Road" by The Nashville Teens
* Jordin Sparks - "I (Who Have Nothing)" by Ben E. King
* Sanjaya Malakar - "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks
* Gina Glocksen - "Paint It Black" by The Rolling Stones
* Chris Sligh - "She's Not There" by The Zombies
* Melinda Doolittle - "As Long As He Needs Me" by Shirley Bassey

### Top 10 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 10 performed a song from the band No Doubt and a song that inspires Gwen Stefani for a spot in the Top 9.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:S6finalist10.PNG
**Chris Sligh** was the eliminated contestant on March 28, 2007, 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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* Jordin Sparks
* Haley Scarnato *(bottom 3)*
* LaKisha Jones
* Gina Glocksen
* Melinda Doolittle

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* Blake Lewis
* Sanjaya Malakar
* Chris Richardson
* Phil Stacey *(bottom 3)*

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* LaKisha Jones - "Last Dance" by Donna Summer
* Chris Sligh - "Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic" by The Police
* Gina Glocksen - "I'll Stand by You" by The Pretenders
* Sanjaya Malakar - "Bathwater"
* Haley Scarnato - "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper
* Phil Stacey - "Every Breath You Take" by The Police
* Melinda Doolittle - "Heaven Knows" by Donna Summer
* Blake Lewis - "Lovesong" by The Cure
* Jordin Sparks - "Hey Baby"
* Chris Richardson - "Don't Speak"

### Top 9 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 9 performed a song from American Classics for a spot in the Top 8.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:S6finalist9.PNG
**Gina Glocksen** was the eliminated contestant on April 4, 2007, 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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* Jordin Sparks *(top 3)*
* Haley Scarnato *(bottom 3)*
* LaKisha Jones *(top 3)*
* Melinda Doolittle *(top 3)*

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* Blake Lewis
* Sanjaya Malakar
* Chris Richardson
* Phil Stacey *(bottom 3)*

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Blake Lewis - "Mack The Knife" by Louis Armstrong
* Phil Stacey - "Night And Day" by Fred Astaire
* Melinda Doolittle - "I Got Rhythm" by Ethel Merman
* Chris Richardson - "Don't Get Around Much Anymore" by Duke Ellington
* Jordin Sparks - "On a Clear Day You Can See Forever" by Cullum
* Gina Glocksen - "Smile" by Charlie Chaplin
* Sanjaya Malakar - "Cheek to Cheek" by Fred Astaire
* Haley Scarnato - "Ain't Misbehavin" by Fats Waller
* LaKisha Jones - "Stormy Weather" by Ethel Waters

### Top 8 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 8 performed a song from Latin music for a spot in the Top 7.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:S6finalist8.PNG
**Haley Scarnato** was the eliminated contestant on April 11, 2007, 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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* Jordin Sparks
* LaKisha Jones
* Melinda Doolittle
* Blake Lewis

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* Sanjaya Malakar
* Chris Richardson *(bottom 3)*
* Phil Stacey *(bottom 3)*

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Melinda Doolittle - "Sway" by Dean Martin
* LaKisha Jones - "Conga" by Gloria Estefan
* Chris Richardson - "Smooth" by Santana
* Haley Scarnato - "Turn the Beat Around" by Vicki Sue Robinson
* Phil Stacey - "Maria Maria" by Santana
* Jordin Sparks - "Rhythm Is Gonna Get You" by Gloria Estefan
* Blake Lewis - "I Need to Know" by Marc Anthony
* Sanjaya Malakar - "Bésame Mucho" by Andy Russell

Group Performance:

* "Bailamos" by Enrique Iglesias

### Top 7 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 7 performed a country song for a spot in the Top 6.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:S6finalist7.PNG
**Sanjaya Malakar** was the eliminated contestant on April 11, 2007, bringing the total down to 6 remaining contestants.

#### Top 7

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 7**.
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* Jordin Sparks
* LaKisha Jones *(bottom 3)*
* Melinda Doolittle

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* Blake Lewis *(bottom 3)*
* Chris Richardson
* Phil Stacey

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Phil Stacey - "Where the Blacktop Ends" by Keith Urban
* Jordin Sparks - "A Broken Wing" by Martina McBride
* Sanjaya Malakar - "Something to Talk About" by Bonnie Raitt
* LaKisha Jones - "Jesus, Take the Wheel" by Carrie Underwood
* Chris Richardson - "Mayberry" by Rascal Flatts
* Melinda Doolittle - "Trouble Is a Woman" by Julie Reeves
* Blake Lewis - "When the Stars Go Blue" by Ryan Adams

Group Performance:

* "I'm Alright" by Jo Dee Messina

### Top 6 perform (first week)

On the first week during "Idol Gives Back", the Top 6 performed an inspirational song.

#### Eliminated Contestant

No eliminated contestant on April 25, prior to the "Idol Gives Back".

#### Top 6

The following contestants were safe from that round and remained on to the **Top 6**.
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* Jordin Sparks
* LaKisha Jones
* Melinda Doolittle

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* Blake Lewis
* Chris Richardson
* Phil Stacey

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Chris Richardson - "Change the World" by Eric Clapton
* Melinda Doolittle - "There Will Come a Day" by Faith Hill
* Blake Lewis - "Imagine" by John Lennon
* LaKisha Jones - "I Believe" by Fantasia
* Phil Stacey - "The Change" by Garth Brooks
* Jordin Sparks - "You'll Never Walk Alone" by Carousel

### Top 6 perform (second week)

On the second week week, the Top 7 performed a song from Bon Jovi for a spot in the Top 6.

#### Eliminated Contestants

File:S6finalist6.PNG
**Phil Stacey** was one of the two eliminated contestants on May 2, 2007, bringing the total down to 11 remaining contestants

File:S6finalist5.PNG

**Chris Richardson** was one of the two eliminated contestants on May 2, 2007, bringing the total down to 11 remaining contestants.

#### Top 4

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 4**.
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* Jordin Sparks
* LaKisha Jones
* Melinda Doolittle
* Blake Lewis

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Phil Stacey - "Blaze of Glory"
* Jordin Sparks - "Livin' on a Prayer"
* LaKisha Jones - "This Ain't a Love Song"
* Blake Lewis - "You Give Love a Bad Name"
* Chris Richardson - "Wanted Dead or Alive"
* Melinda Doolittle - "Have a Nice Day"

### Top 4 perform

During this round of the finals, each contestant will perform two songs from Barry Gibb for a spot in the Top 3.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:S6finalist4.PNG
> LaKisha Jones was the eliminated contestant on May 9, 2007, 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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* Jordin Sparks
* Melinda Doolittle
* Blake Lewis

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Melinda Doolittle - "Love You Inside Out"
* Blake Lewis - "You Should Be Dancing"
* LaKisha Jones - "Stayin' Alive"
* Jordin Sparks - "To Love Somebody"
* Melinda Doolittle - "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?"
* Blake Lewis - "This Is Where I Came In"
* LaKisha Jones - "Run to Me"
* Jordin Sparks - "Woman in Love"

Group Performance:

* Medley of Barry Gibb songs

### Top 3 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 3 performed a song picked by the Judges, a song picked by the producers and a song of their choice for a spot in the Top 2.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:S6finalist3.PNG
**Melinda Doolittle** was the eliminated contestant on May 16, 2007, 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**.
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* Jordin Sparks
* Blake Lewis

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#### Performances

(The first round of performances were chosen by the judges, the second round were chosen by the producers and the final round was the contestant's choice). The contestants performed in the following order:

* Jordin Sparks - "Wishing on a Star" by Rose Royce (chosen by Simon Cowell)
* Blake Lewis - "Roxanne" by The Police (chosen by Paula Abdul)
* Melinda Doolittle - "I Believe in You and Me" by Whitney Houston (chosen by Randy Jackson)
* Jordin Sparks - "She Works Hard for the Money" by Donna Summer
* Blake Lewis - "This Love" by Maroon 5
* Melinda Doolittle - "Nutbush City Limits" by Ike & Tina Turner
* Jordin Sparks - "I (Who Have Nothing)" by Ben E. King
* Blake Lewis - "When I Get You Alone" by Robin Thicke
* Melinda Doolittle - "I'm a Woman" by Peggy Lee

### Top 2 perform

During the final round of the finals, the Top 2 performed a song of their choice, their previous song from the past round, and their first winning single for a spot as Season 6's **American Idol**.

#### Runner-up

File:S6finalist2.PNG
**Blake Lewis** was the runner-up of Season 6. Jordin Sparks being the winner.

#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Blake Lewis - "You Give Love a Bad Name" by Bon Jovi
* Jordin Sparks - "Fighter" by Christina Aguilera
* Blake Lewis - "She Will Be Loved" by Maroon 5
* Jordin Sparks - "A Broken Wing" by Martina McBride
* Blake Lewis - "This Is My Now"
* Jordin Sparks - "This Is My Now"

### Winner

File:S6finalist.PNG
**Jordin Sparks** was the winner of American Idol Season 6 on May 23, 2007. She is the youngest contestant to win the competition at the age of 17.

## Controversies

### Shocking Eliminations

* During the top 16 results show many fans were upset when Haley Scarnato beat out Sabrina Sloan for the final spot in the top 12 for the girls. Prior to this Sloan had mostly gotten very positive reviews from the judges while Scarnato had consistently gotten mediocre reviews for her performance. Fans were also upset when Sanjaya Malakar, who had received nothing but poor reviews for his performances, beat out fan favorite Sundance Head for the final spot in the top 12 for guys. The judges were visibly shocked when Scarnato and Malakar had made it.
* During the top 3, viewers and the judges were stunned when Melinda Doolittle was voted off. Doolittle had blown away the judges and audience members alike with her consistently great performances and vocal abilities, that many thought she was a shoe in for the win. Many viewers blamed the young fanbases of Jordin Sparks and Blake Lewis for Doolittle's departure

### Virginia Tech

After Chris Richardson's performance of Mayberry during Country night, he sent out his prayers to those affected by the Virginia Tech Massacre. While he was doing this the camera went to a disinterested Simon rolling his eyes. This caused controversy as many viewers felt it was very inappropriate and rude of Cowell to do that. Later on the results show, Cowell addressed the controversy stating that he was reacting to what Richardson had said earlier after Cowell had critiqued his performance and that he wasn't reacting to Richardson's tribute to those effected by the tragedy.

## Notable past contestants

* Sundance Head, who finished in the top 16, later tried out for & won season 11 of *The Voice* in 2016. His mentor was country music superstar Blake Shelton. He is the first Idol alum to win *The Voice*.