American Idol season 3
The third season of American Idol premiered on Monday, January 19, 2004, and continued until May 26, 2004. The third season was won by Fantasia Barrino, who defeated Diana DeGarmo by an approximate margin of 2% ; the vote total was then the highest recorded vote total in the show's history. This season also featured future EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson, who finished seventh in the competition.
Both Fantasia and Diana DeGarmo released a single after the finale. Fantasia's first single, released in June 2004 on the RCA record label, entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number one, making Fantasia the first artist in the history of Billboard to debut at number one with their first single. In addition to Fantasia and Diana DeGarmo, Jasmine Trias, LaToya London, George Huff, Jennifer Hudson, and Camile Velasco all released albums since the season ended. The season is also, to date, the only season in the show's history to produce multiple Grammy Award winners, courtesy of Fantasia and Hudson, as well as produce an Academy Award and Tony Award winner, courtesy of Hudson.
Changes from previous seasons
Unlike previous seasons, the semifinalists for this season performed in front of a small studio audience with orchestral accompaniment on a backing tape. This was also the first season to feature two guest judges in one week: the duo Ashford & Simpson appeared during the top 10 week.Regional auditions
Auditions were held in the summer of 2003 in the following cities:In this season, over 80,000 attended the auditions in 6 cities. A prominent audition was William Hung, a University of California, Berkeley student, who became a surprise cult figure following his tuneless rendition of Ricky Martin's "She Bangs" at the San Francisco audition. He was later invited back to perform on a special edition "Uncut, Uncensored and Untalented." His appearance on the show landed him a record deal with Koch Records and he released an album soon afterwards.
Hollywood week
There were 117 contestants in the first Hollywood round which was held at the Pasadena Civic Center in Pasadena, California. The contestants first came onto the stage in groups, but each performed solo. They were also asked to write original lyrics and melody for one of ten song titles given and perform their song the next day. After their performances, they were divided into four groups and one group was eliminated.In the next round, the remaining 87 contestants performed in groups in three. The men and the ladies were separate and they were each given three different songs to choose: the ladies had The Supremes' "You Can't Hurry Love," Vonda Shepard's "Tell Him," or Candi Staton's "Young Hearts Run Free"; the men had Billy Joel's "Tell Her About It," Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up," or The Drifters's "Up on the Roof." 30 contestants were cut and 57 then advanced to the next stage where they performed solo. The contestants were then divided into three groups and placed in separate rooms, with one group sent home. 32 contestants remained for the semifinals.
Semifinals
replaced Donnie Williams after the latter was disqualified, following a DUI arrest.Unlike previous seasons, the contestants this season performed in front of a small studio audience with orchestral accompaniment on a backing tape. As with the second season, two performers from each group were selected by public vote to proceed on to the top 12, and those who failed at any of the previous stages were given a second chance in the Wild Card round. During the Wild Card round, twelve contestants were invited back to participate. However, after being evaluated during the week in rehearsals, only eight were chosen by the judges to perform that night. One performer was chosen by public vote, and one performer was chosen by each of the three judges.
Four contestants in the wildcard round were eliminated by the judges before they had the chance to sing: Lisa Leuschner, Eric Yoder, Tiara Purifoy, and Marque Lynche were those contestants.
Color key:
Contestants are listed in the order they performed.
Group 1 (February 11)
Group 2 (February 18)
Group 3 (February 25)
Group 4 (March 3)
Wild Card round (March 10)
Contestants are listed in the order they performed.| Contestant | Song | Result |
| Jon Peter Lewis | "A Little Less Conversation" | Saved |
| Elizabeth LeTendre | "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" | Eliminated |
| Katie Webber | "So Emotional" | Eliminated |
| George Huff | "Lean on Me" | Saved |
| Suzy Vulaca | "I Will Survive" | Eliminated |
| Matthew Metzger | "When I See You Smile" | Eliminated |
| Leah LaBelle | "Let's Stay Together" | Saved |
| Jennifer Hudson | "I Believe in You and Me" | Saved |
Top 12 finalists
- Fantasia Barrino auditioned in Atlanta with Lauryn Hill's "Killing Me Softly with His Song" and Tina Turner's "Proud Mary." She performed Aretha Franklin's "Think" in Hollywood.
- Diana DeGarmo was from Snellville, Georgia, and auditioned in Honolulu with Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools." She performed Ike & Tina Turner's "A Fool in Love" in Hollywood.
- Jasmine Trias was from Mililani, Hawaii, and auditioned in Honolulu.
- LaToya London was from Oakland, California, and auditioned in San Francisco with Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools."
- George Huff auditioned in Houston with Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful." He performed Luther Vandross' "Here and Now" in Hollywood.
- John Stevens was from East Amherst, New York, and auditioned in New York City with Fred Astaire's "The Way You Look Tonight." He performed Tony Bennett's "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" in Hollywood.
- Jennifer Hudson auditioned in Atlanta with Aretha Franklin's "Share Your Love with Me."
- Jon Peter Lewis was from Rexburg, Idaho, and auditioned in Honolulu with Van Morrison's "Crazy Love." He performed The Jackson 5's "I Want You Back" in Hollywood.
- Camile Velasco was from Haiku, Hawaii, and auditioned in Honolulu with Fugees' "Ready or Not."
- Amy Adams was from Bakersfield, California, and auditioned in Atlanta with Fontella Bass' "Rescue Me." She performed Jennifer Rush's "The Power of Love" in Hollywood.
- Matthew Rogers auditioned in Los Angeles with James Ingram's "Just Once."
- Leah LaBelle was from Seattle, and auditioned in New York with Whitney Houston's "I Believe in You and Me." She performed Diana Ross' "Theme from Mahogany " in Hollywood.
Finals
Color key:
Top 12 – Soul (March 17)
Contestants are listed in the order they performed.| Contestant | Song | Result |
| LaToya London | "Ain't Nobody" | Safe |
| Amy Adams | "You Make Me Feel Brand New" | Bottom three |
| Matthew Rogers | "Hard to Handle" | Safe |
| Camile Velasco | "Son of a Preacher Man" | Safe |
| Jon Peter Lewis | "Drift Away" | Safe |
| Fantasia Barrino | "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours" | Safe |
| George Huff | " The Dock of the Bay" | Safe |
| Jennifer Hudson | "Baby I Love You" | Bottom two |
| John Stevens | "Lately" | Safe |
| Leah LaBelle | "You Keep Me Hangin' On" | Eliminated |
| Jasmine Trias | "Inseparable" | Safe |
| Diana DeGarmo | "Think" | Safe |
| Performers | Song |
| Top 12 | Soul medley |
| Clay Aiken | "Solitaire" |
Top 11 – Country (March 24)
Contestants are listed in the order they performed.| Contestant | Country song | Result |
| Diana DeGarmo | "A Broken Wing" | Bottom three |
| George Huff | "I Can Love You Like That" | Safe |
| Fantasia Barrino | "Always on My Mind" | Safe |
| John Stevens | "King of the Road" | Safe |
| Camile Velasco | "Desperado" | Bottom two |
| Jennifer Hudson | "No One Else on Earth" | Safe |
| Jon Peter Lewis | "She Believes in Me" | Safe |
| Jasmine Trias | "Breathe" | Safe |
| Matthew Rogers | "Amazed" | Eliminated |
| LaToya London | "Ain't Goin' Down " | Safe |
| Amy Adams | "Sin Wagon" | Safe |
| Performers | Song |
| Kimberley Locke | "8th World Wonder" |
Top 10 – Motown (March 31)
served as mentors and guest judges. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.| Contestant | Motown song | Result |
| Camile Velasco | "For Once in My Life" | Safe |
| Jon Peter Lewis | "This Old Heart of Mine " | Safe |
| LaToya London | "Ooo Baby Baby" | Bottom three |
| Amy Adams | "Dancing in the Street" | Eliminated |
| John Stevens | "My Girl" | Safe |
| Jennifer Hudson | "Heat Wave" | Bottom two |
| Jasmine Trias | "You're All I Need to Get By" | Safe |
| Diana DeGarmo | "Do You Love Me" | Safe |
| Fantasia Barrino | "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" | Safe |
| George Huff | "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" | Safe |