Season 8

The **eighth season** of American Idol premiered on January 13, 2009. Judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson are judges once again, along with Ryan Seacrest as host. This season introduced Kara DioGuardi as the fourth judge on the Idol panel.

Arkansas singer-songwriter Kris Allen was announced the winner of the competition on May 20, 2009, defeating runner-up Adam Lambert after almost 100 million votes, the highest recorded total in the show's history.

The eighth season is also the third season during which both the winner and the runner-up were male contestants, with the second season being the first and the previous season being the second. Additionally, the eighth season is the only season to contain an all-male top 3.

## Changes From Season 7

Several changes were planned for season 8. 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 permanent fourth judge on the panel. She had previously collaborated with Celine Dion, Hilary Duff, 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 thirteenth contestant, Anoop Desai, as well.

Another change in the Idol format, which was revealed on March 11, 2009, is that the judges are eligible to exercise a veto power on one eliminated contestant at any given point of the competition 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. The save can only be used once and it must be unanimous.

## Auditions

Auditions were held in the following cities:

* San Francisco, California: Cow Palace - July 17
* Louisville, Kentucky: Freedom Hall - July 21
* Glandale, Arizona: Jobing.com Arena - July 25
* Salt Lake City, Utah: EnergySolutions Arena - July 29
* San Juan, Puerto Rico: Coliseo de Puerto Rico - August 2
* Kansas City, Missouri: Kemper Arena - August 8
* Jacksonville, Florida: Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena - August 13
* East Rutherford, New Jersey: Izod Center - August 19

Contestants are required to be between the ages 16 and 28 on July 15, 2008 and eligible to work in the United States. Contestants are ineligible if they were part of the top 40 from previous seasons (exception being for those who reached the top 50 from season 7), if they hold recording or management contracts or if they are not U.S. citizens or landed immigrants (i.e. temporary residents).

## Hollywood

For this season, the Hollywood round moved to the Kodak Theatre, which was previously used for the season finale from seasons 1 and 3–6, from the Orpheum Theatre. In addition, the Hollywood round was extended to two weeks.

In the first round, the 147 contestants each sang a short solo performance of any song. The next part had the remaining 107 contestants performing in a group performance. The 72 contestants that passed group day, performed one more solo song, and then the judges split them into four groups, and only left 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 go through the top 36.

## Semifinals

 File:Season 8 top 36.jpg
The following contestants were Season 8's Top 36 contestants. They were divided into three groups of 12.

... = advanced

... = eliminated

... = wildcard - advanced

... = wildcard - eliminated

The Top 36 had to sing a song from the *Billboard Hot 100* to earn a spot in the Top 13. Of each group, three contestants directly advanced to the Finals.

During the following Wildcard rounds, the Judges picked eight contestants originally eliminated from the Semifinals rounds to compete for four extra spots. Jesse Langseth, Matt Giraud, Megan Joy, Von Smith, Jasmine Murray, Ricky Braddy, Tatiana Del Toro, and Anoop Desai were the eight contestants competing in the wild card round. In the end, Matt Giraud, Megan Joy, Jasmine Murray, and Anoop Desai were the four advancing to the Top 13.

## Finalists

The following contestants were Season 8's 13 Finalists.
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* Kris Allen
* Adam Lambert
* Danny Gokey
* Allison Iraheta
* Matt Giraud
* Anoop Desai
* Lil Rounds

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 File:American-idol-season8-top13-2009.jpg
* Scott MacIntyre
* Megan Joy
* Michael Sarver
* Alexis Grace
* Jorge Nunez
* Jasmine Murray

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## Finals

### Top 13 perform

During the first round of the finals, the Top 13 performed a song from Michael Jackson for a spot in the Top 11.

#### Eliminated Contestants

File:Jasmine Murray.png
**Jasmine Murray** was one of the two eliminated contestants bringing the total down to 11 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on March 11, 2009.

File:Jorge Núñez.png

**Jorge Nunez** was one of the two eliminated contestants bringing the total down to 11 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on March 11, 2009.

#### Top 11

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 11**.
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* Alexis Grace
* Michael Sarver
* Danny Gokey
* Allison Iraheta
* Kris Allen
* Adam Lambert

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* Scott MacIntyre
* Lil Rounds
* Matt Giraud
* Megan Joy
* Anoop Desai

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Lil Rounds - "The Way You Make Me Feel"
* Scott MacIntyre - "Keep the Faith"
* Danny Gokey - "P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)"
* Michael Sarver - "You Are Not Alone"
* Jasmine Murray - "I'll Be There"
* Kris Allen - "Remember the Time"
* Allison Iraheta - "Give In to Me"
* Anoop Desai - "Beat It"
* Jorge Nunez - "Never Can Say Goodbye"
* Megan Joy - "Rockin' Robin"
* Adam Lambert - "Black or White"
* Matt Giraud - "Human Nature"
* Alexis Grace - "Dirty Diana"

Group Performance:

* "I Want You Back/ABC Medley" by The Jackson 5

### Top 11 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 11 performed a song from the Grand Ole Opry for a spot in the Top 10.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Alexis Grace.png
**Alexis Grace** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 10 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on March 18, 2009.

#### Top 10

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 10**.
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* Michael Sarver *(bottom 3)*
* Danny Gokey
* Allison Iraheta *(bottom 3)*
* Kris Allen
* Adam Lambert

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* Scott MacIntyre
* Lil Rounds
* Matt Giraud
* Megan Joy
* Anoop Desai

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Michael Sarver - "Ain't Goin' Down ('Til the Sun Comes Up)" by Garth Brooks
* Allison Iraheta - "Blame It on Your Heart" by Patty Loveless
* Kris Allen - "Make You Feel My Love" by Bob Dylan
* Lil Rounds - "Independence Day" by Martina McBride
* Adam Lambert - "Ring of Fire" by Anita Carter
* Scott MacIntyre - "Wild Angels" by Martina McBride
* Alexis Grace - "Jolene" by Dolly Parton
* Danny Gokey - "Jesus, Take the Wheel" by Carrie Underwood
* Anoop Desai - "Always on My Mind" by Brenda Lee
* Megan Joy - "Walkin' After Midnight" by Patsy Cline
* Matt Giraud - "So Small" by Carrie Underwood

Group Performance:

* "T-R-O-U-B-L-E" by Travis Tritt

### Top 10 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 10 performed a song from Motown for a spot in the Top 9.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Michael Sarver.png
**Michael Sarver** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 9 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on March 26, 2009.

#### Top 9

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 9**.
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* Danny Gokey
* Allison Iraheta
* Kris Allen
* Adam Lambert
* Scott MacIntyre *(bottom 3)*

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* Lil Rounds
* Matt Giraud *(bottom 3)*
* Megan Joy
* Anoop Desai

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Matt Giraud - "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye
* Kris Allen - "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" by Marvin Gaye
* Scott MacIntyre - "You Can't Hurry Love" by The Supremes
* Megan Joy - "For Once in My Life" by Jean DuShon
* Anoop Desai - "Ooo Baby Baby" by The Miracles
* Michael Sarver - "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" by The Temptations
* Lil Rounds - "(Love Is Like A) Heat Wave" by Martha and the Vandellas
* Adam Lambert - "The Tracks of My Tears" by The Miracles
* Danny Gokey - "Get Ready" by The Temptations
* Allison Iraheta - "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone" by The Undisputed Truth

Group Performance:

* "You Keep Me Hangin' On" by The Supremes/"You're All I Need to Get By" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell/"Ain't No Mountain High Enough" by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell

### Top 9 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 9 performed a popular iTunes Downloaded song for a spot in the Top 8.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Megan Joy.png
**Megan Joy** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 8 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on April 1, 2009.

#### Top 8

The following contestants were safe from that round and remained in the **Top 8**.
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* Danny Gokey
* Allison Iraheta *(bottom 3)*
* Kris Allen
* Adam Lambert

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* Scott MacIntyre
* Lil Rounds
* Matt Giraud
* Anoop Desai *(bottom 3)*

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Anoop Desai - "Caught Up" by Usher
* Megan Joy - "Turn Your Lights Down Low" by Bob Marley
* Danny Gokey - "What Hurts the Most" by Mark Wills
* Allison Iraheta - "Don't Speak" by No Doubt
* Scott MacIntyre - "Just the Way You Are" by Billy Joel
* Matt Giraud - "You Found Me" by The Fray
* Lil Rounds - "I Surrender" by Celine Dion
* Adam Lambert - "Play That Funky Music" by Wild Cherry
* Kris Allen - "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers

Group Performance:

* "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey

### Top 8 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 8 performed a song from the year they were born for a spot in the Top 7.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Scott Macintyre.png
**Scott MacIntyre** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 7 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on April 8, 2009.

#### Top 7

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 7**.
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* Danny Gokey
* Allison Iraheta
* Kris Allen
* Adam Lambert

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* Lil Rounds *(bottom 3)*
* Matt Giraud
* Anoop Desai *(bottom 3)*

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Danny Gokey - "Stand By Me" by Ben E. King (1980)
* Kris Allen - "All She Wants to Do Is Dance" by Don Henley (1985)
* Lil Rounds - "What's Love Got to Do with It" by Tina Turner (1984)
* Anoop Desai - "True Colors" by Cyndi Lauper (1986)
* Scott MacIntyre - "The Search Is Over" by Survivor (1985)
* Allison Iraheta - "I Can't Make You Love Me" by Bonnie Raitt (1992)
* Matt Giraud - "Part-Time Lover" by Stevie Wonder (1985)
* Adam Lambert - "Mad World" by Tears for Fears (1982)

Group Performance:

* "Can't Get You out of My Head" by Kylie Minogue

### Top 7 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 7 performed a songs from movies for a spot in the Top 5.

#### Saved Contestant

File:Matt Giraud.png
**Matt Giraud** was supposed to be the eliminated contestant on April 15, 2009. Due to the Judges' save, he stayed which kept the total at 7 contestants.

#### Top 7

The following contestants were safe from that round and remained in the **Top 7**.
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* Danny Gokey
* Allison Iraheta
* Kris Allen
* Adam Lambert

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* Lil Rounds *(bottom 3)*
* Matt Giraud *(bottom 3)*
* Anoop Desai *(bottom 3)*

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Allison Iraheta - "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" by Aerosmith (Armageddon)
* Anoop Desai - "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" by Bryan Adams (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves)
* Adam Lambert - "Born to Be Wild" by Steppenwolf (Easy Rider)
* Matt Giraud - "Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" by Bryan Adams (Don Juan DeMarco)
* Danny Gokey - "Endless Love" by Lionel Richie & Diana Ross (Endless Love)
* Kris Allen - "Falling Slowly" by Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová (Once)
* Lil Rounds - "The Rose" by Bette Midler (The Rose)

Group Performance:

* "Maniac" by Michael Sembello (Flashdance)

### Top 7 perform (redux)

During this round of the finals, the Top 7 performed a disco song for a spot in the Top 5.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Lil Rounds.png
**Lil Rounds** was one of the two eliminated contestants bringing the total down to 5 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on April 22, 2009.

File:Anoop Desai.png

**Anoop Desai** was one of the two eliminated contestants bringing the total down to 5 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on April 22, 2009.

#### Top 5

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 5**.
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* Danny Gokey
* Allison Iraheta *(bottom 3)*
* Kris Allen
* Adam Lambert
* Matt Giraud

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Lil Rounds - "I'm Every Woman" by Chaka Khan
* Kris Allen - "She Works Hard for the Money" by Donna Summer
* Danny Gokey - "September" by Earth, Wind & Fire
* Allison Iraheta - "Hot Stuff" by Donna Summer
* Adam Lambert - "If I Can't Have You" by Yvonne Elliman
* Matt Giraud - "Stayin' Alive" by The Bee Gees
* Anoop Desai - "Dim All the Lights" by Donna Summer

Group Performance:

* "Shake Your Body (Down to the Ground)" by The Jacksons

### Top 5 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 5 performed a song from Rat Pack Standards for a spot in the Top 4.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Matt Giraud.png
**Matt Giraud** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 4 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on April 29, 2009.

#### Top 4

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 4**.
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* Danny Gokey
* Allison Iraheta
* Kris Allen *(bottom 3)*
* Adam Lambert *(bottom 3)*

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Kris Allen - "The Way You Look Tonight" by Fred Astaire
* Allison Iraheta - "Someone to Watch Over Me" by Gertrude Lawrence
* Matt Giraud - "My Funny Valentine" by Mitzi Green
* Danny Gokey - "Come Rain or Come Shine" by Sy Oliver with the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra
* Adam Lambert - "Feeling Good" by Cy Grant

Group Performance:

* "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That Swing)" and "I Got Rhythm"

### Top 4 perform

During this round of the finals, the Top 4 performed a Rock n' Roll song for a spot in the Top 3.

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Allison Iraheta.png
**Allison Iraheta** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 3 remaining contestants. She was eliminated on May 6, 2009.

#### Top 3

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 3**.
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* Danny Gokey
* Kris Allen
* Adam Lambert

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#### Performances

The contestants performed in the following order:

* Adam Lambert - "Whole Lotta Love" by Led Zeppelin
* Allison Iraheta - "Cry Baby" by Garnet Mimms and the Enchanters
* Kris Allen - "Come Together" by The Beatles
* Danny Gokey - "Dream On" by Aerosmith

Group Performances on performance night:

* Kris Allen & Danny Gokey - "Renegade" by Styx
* Adam Lambert & Allison Iraheta - "Slow Ride" by Foghat

Group Performance on results night:

* "School's Out" by Alice Cooper

### Top 3 perform

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

#### Eliminated Contestant

File:Danny Gokey.png
**Danny Gokey** was the eliminated contestant bringing the total down to 2 remaining contestants. He was eliminated on May 13, 2009.

#### Top 3

The following contestants were safe from that round and advanced on to the **Top 2**.
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* Kris Allen
* Adam Lambert

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#### Performances

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

* Danny Gokey - "Dance Little Sister" by Terence Trent D'Arby (chosen by Paula Abdul)
* Kris Allen - "Apologize" by OneRepublic (chosen by Randy Jackson & Kara DioGuardi)
* Adam Lambert - "One" by U2 (chosen by Simon Cowell)
* Danny Gokey - "You Are So Beautiful" by Billy Preston
* Kris Allen - "Heartless" by Kanye West
* Adam Lambert - "Cryin'" by Aerosmith

### Top 2 perform

*Main Article: Season 8 Finale*

During the final round of the finals, the Top 2 performed a song picked by Simon Fuller, a song of their choice, and their winner single for a spot as Season 8's **American Idol**.

#### Runner-up

File:Adam Lambert.png
**Adam Lambert** was the runner-up of Season 8. Kris Allen being the winner.

#### Performances

(The first performance was a song from their favorite performances, the second was a song chosen by their personal idol, and the last was their winner single). The contestants performed in the following order:

* Adam Lambert - "Mad World" by Tears for Fears
* Kris Allen - "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers
* Adam Lambert - "A Change is Gonna Come" by Sam Cooke
* Kris Allen - "What's Going On" by Marvin Gaye
* Adam Lambert - "No Boundaries"
* Kris Allen - "No Boundaries"

### Winner

File:Kris Allen.png
**Kris Allen** was the winner of American Idol Season 8 on May 20, 2009.

## Notable past Idol contestants

* Jamar Rogers, who auditioned in Kansas City along with best friend Danny Gokey, was cut in the "green mile" round. In 2012, he tried out for season 2 of *The Voice*and made it to the semi-finals with his idol, R&B star Cee Lo Green, as his mentor before being eliminated.
* Emily Valentine, who was cut in Hollywood week, later auditioned for season 1 of *The Voice* with R&B star Cee Lo Green as her mentor. She was eliminated in the Battle Rounds.

## Controversies

* 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.
* Due to a mix up, Alexis Grace's phone number during the top 11 preformances was actually a call in sex hotline. This was changed during the end of the episode, but she was eliminated anyway.

## External links

* American Idol (season 8) at Wikipedia
* American Idol Episode List Season 8 on IMDb
* American Idol - Season 8 at TV.com