'American Idol'
	FAQs
	Season 1: Kelly Clarkson Justin Guarini, Nikki McKibbon, Tamyra Gray, RJ Helton, Christina Christian, Ryan Starr, A.J. Gil, Jim Verraros, and EJay Day Season 2: Ruben Studdard Clay Aiken, Kimberley Locke, Joshua Gracin, Trenyce, Carmen Rasmusen, Kimberly Caldwell, Rickey Smith, Julia DeMato, Charles Grigsby, Vanessa Olivarez, and Corey Clark Season 3: Fantasia Barrino Diano DeGarmo, JasmineTrias, La Toya London, George Huff, John Stevens, Jennifer Hudson, Jon Peter Lewis, Camile Velasco, Amy Adams, Matthew Rogers, and Leah LaBelle Season 4: Carrie Underwood Bo Bice, Mikalah Gordon, Lindsey Cardinale, Jessica Sierra, Nikko Smith, Nadia Turner, Anwar Robinson, Constantine Maroulis, Scott Savol, Anthony Fedorov, Vonzell Solomon Season 5: Taylor Hicks Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamon, Chris Daughtry, Paris Bennett, Kellie Pickler, Ace Young, Bucky Covington, Mandisa, Lisa Tucker, Kevin Covais, Melissa McGhee Season 6: Jordin Sparks Blake Lewis, Melinda Doolittle Lakisha Jones, Chris Richardson Philip Stacy, Sanjaya Malakar, Haley Scarnato, Gina Glocksen, Chris Sligh, Stephanie Edwards, Brandon Rogers

The US version of the American Idol competition began in June, 2002 with 10,000 entrants. The show was a hit its first season for FOX and grew into a monster TV hit in the following years - kick-starting the music careers of many singers and spawning similar shows in hundreds of countries. The winner of the show receives a recording contract, although the success of the show has resulted in several of the top singers getting contracts and acting opportunities. American Idol's roots began with the UK version, Pop Idol, early in 2002 with the winner Will Young later topping UK Singles charts and breaking single-sales records.

The television show American Idol: The Search for a Superstar debuted on FOX with the judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson. The trio became the decision-makers of who would move on further within the competition before the American public began the selection process.

Season 1 winner: Kelly Clarkson
Justin Guarini (voted off September 4)
Nikki McKibbon (voted off August 28)
Tamyra Gray (voted off August 21)
RJ Helton (voted off August 14)
Christina Christian (voted off August 7)
Ryan Starr (voted off July 31)
A.J. Gil (voted off July 24)
Jim Verraros (voted off July 17)
EJay Day (voted off July 17).

With 2 remaining finalists, Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini, America voted Kelly Clarkson as the first US American Idol with 58% of the votes.
The American Finalists along with winner Kelly Clarkson performed live in Las Vegas for a special concert airing on Fox.

American Idol Greatest Moments was released and included tracks from all Top 10 finalists including 4 tracks by Kelly Clarkson, 2 by Justin Guarini, and 1 group song (a cover of "California Dreamin'"). The 10 finalists also toured for 6 weeks during October and November.
Justin Guarini and Tamyra Gray both signed a record deal with Simon's label.

American Idol Greatest Moments was certified gold.

Ruben Studdard: # 104 Singles Artist of the Year

The second outing of American Idol was back on the TV screens. Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson were back as judges and ratings continued to soar.

Tamyra Gray started appearing in episodes of Boston Public on FOX.

Season 2 winner: Ruben Studdard
Clay Aiken (voted off May 21)
Kimberley Locke (voted off May 14)
Joshua Gracin (voted off May 7)
Trenyce (voted off April 30)
Carmen Rasmusen (voted off April 23)
Kimberly Caldwell (voted off April 16)
Rickey Smith (voted off April 9)
Corey Clark (kicked off over assault allegations April 2)
Julia DeMato (voted off March 26)
Charles Grigsby (voted off March 19)
Vanessa Olivarez (voted off March 12)

The Season 2 American Idol Finalists recorded a charity single of Lee Greenwood's "God Bless The USA."

The Season 2 American Idol Finalists recording of "God Bless The USA" topped the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales chart for 8 weeks.
American Idol Season 2: All Time Classic American Love Songs was released.
Ruben Studdard was voted the winner of American Idol 2 with just over 50% of the vote (with only about 130,000 votes separating him from Clay Aiken). Studdard said of the win: "I just feel elated, man. This is wonderful, man. I've dreamed of being in this place my whole life and I am finally here, and there is nothing better than being able to live out your dream."
American Idol Season 2: All Time Classic American Love Songs was certified gold and the single "God Bless The USA" was certified gold.

Justin Guarini released his debut LP - Justin Guarini.
Ruben Studdard hit the Top 40 with "Flying Without Wings."
Clay Aiken topped the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart for 2 weeks and Hot 100 Singles Sales chart for 11 weeks with "This Is The Night" selling over 392,000 copies its first week of release in the US - compared to over 285,000 copies Ruben Studdard sold with "Flying Without Wings" which came in at #2. The same #1-#2 debut occurred on the Canadian singles chart.
Ruben Studdard topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles Sales chart for 8 weeks with "Superstar / Flying Without Wings."
Ruben Studdard filmed a cameo appearance as himself for next years film Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed.
Kelly Clarkson and Justin Guarini's movie - From Justin To Kelly - hit theaters and only grossed 2.9 million dollars its first week of release (coming in at #11 for the weekend of its release).

Justin Guarini was facing legal troubles after being accused of being reckless on a jet ski in Texas and almost injuring a 5 year old girl.
The American Idol finalists began touring together. The tour did not include Josh Gracin because he was "unable to complete his required training (in the Marines) in the allotted time."
American Idol was nominated for 6 Emmy Awards.
Ruben Studdard's single "Flying Without Wings/Superstar" was certified gold.

Ruben Studdard appeared on the cover of Rolling Stone.
Ruben Studdard filed a lawsuit against the clothing line 205 Flava Inc claiming they were unfairly profiting by using his image to promote their clothing which has the large '205' across the front. The clothing received much publicity when Studdard wore the shirts while on American Idol. The lawsuit was later settled.

American Idol Christmas was released and included holiday tracks from the top favorites of the last 2 seasons.

Justin Guarini was hit with a lawsuit by a couple whose car was hit from behind by Guarini's truck in Pennsylvania last March.

Justin Guarini was reportedly dropped by his record label, RCA. His debut LP had sold 134,000 copies.
American Idol Christmas was certified gold.
Ruben Studdard released his debut LP, Soulful.
Ruben Studdard topped the Billboard 200 LP chart for a week with Soulful selling over 416,000 copies its first week of release in the US.
Ruben Studdard hit the Top 40 with "Sorry 2004."
Ruben Studdard topped the Billboard Year-End Charts with the Top Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Single Sales ("Flying Without Wings/Superstar").

Kimberley Locke: # 26 Singles Artist of the Year ~ Ruben Studdard: # 94 Singles Artist of the Year ~ Diana DeGarmo: # 150 Singles Artist of the Year

American Idol 3 began.
Soulful was certified platinum.
Ruben Studdard topped the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart for 2 weeks with Soulful.
Kimberley Locke hit the Top 40 with "Eighth World Wonder."

Ruben Studdard was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance - Male ("Superstar").

Season 3 winner: Fantasia Barrino
Diano DeGarmo (voted off May 26)
Jasmine Trias (voted off May 19)
LaToya London (voted off May 12)
George Huff (voted off May 5)
John Stevens (voted off April 28)
Jennifer Hudson (voted off April 21)
Jon Peter Lewis (voted off April 15)
Camile Velasco (voted off April 7)
Amy Adams (voted off March 31)
Matthew Rogers (voted off March 24)
Leah LaBelle (voted off March 17)

Ruben Studdard topped the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart with "Sorry 2004."
Ruben Studdard won a NAACP Image Award for Outstanding New Artist.
Kimberley Locke topped the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales chart with "Eighth World Wonder."

A surprise star came out of the American Idol 3 auditions in the form of William Hung who was best remembered for his rendition of "She Bangs." The result was being booted by the judges early on, but gaining a following and eventually a recording deal with Kock Records and the release of Inspiration.
Kimberley Locke hit the Top 10 with "Eighth World Wonder."
American Idol Season 3: Greatest Soul Classics was released.
Elton John echoed the feelings of many American Idol fans after Jennifer Hudson was felt to be prematurely voted out of the contest: "The three people I was really impressed with, and they just happened to be black, young female singers, and they all seem to be landing in the bottom three. They have great voices. The fact that they're constantly in the bottom three - and I don't want to set myself up here - but I find it incredibly racist." The following week, voters appeared to redeem themselves by letting go John Stevens, who received consistent negative feedback from the judges.

Kimberley Locke released One Love.
Kimberley Locke topped the Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales chart with the remixes of "Eighth World Wonder."
Tamyra Gray released her debut LP The Dreamer.
Fantasia Barrino was named the American Idol for Season 3. Her first single "I Believe" was co-written by Tamyra Gray.

Josh Gracin released his debut LP, Josh Gracin.
Diana DeGarmo released her single "Dreams / Don't Cry Out Loud / I Believe."

Kimberley Locke hit the Top 40 with "Wrong."

Diana DeGarmo topped the Billboard Hot 100 Singles Sales chart with "Dreams."

George Huff released the holiday EP, George Huff Christmas.
Ruben Studdard was nominated for an American Music Awards for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist.
Ruben Studdard released I Need An Angel.
Ruben Studdard was hospitalized for exhaustion.

Diana DeGarmo released her solo LP Blue Skies.

Kimberley Locke: # 135 Singles Artist of the Year

The 4th season of American Idol began.

Josh Gracin topped the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart with "Nothin' To Lose."

Season 4 winner: Carrie Underwood
Bo Bice (voted off May 25)
Vonzell Solomon (voted off May 18)
Anthony Fedorov (voted off May 11)
Scott Savol (voted off May 4)
Constantine Maroulis (voted off April 27)
Anwar Robinson (voted off April 20)
Nadia Turner (voted off April 13)
Nikko Smith (voted off April 6)
Jessica Sierra (voted off March 30)
Mikalah Gordon (voted off March 24)
Lindsey Cardinale (voted off March 16)

The finalists released their benefit single "When You Say You Love Me."
Ruben Studdard's I Need An Angel was certified gold.

The finalists topped the Canadian singles chart with "When You Say You Love Me."
The finalists released American Idol Season 4: The Showstoppers.
Carrie Underwood was named the American Idol for Season 4.

Bo Bice told Rolling Stone that he was happy he didn't win American Idol: "The label 'American Idol' was not for me. I'm not a pop person. It would have been harder to play my kind of music if I had won."
Bo Bice released the single "Inside Your Heaven / Vehicle."
Bo Bice got married.
Josh Gracin's Josh Gracin was certified gold.

Bo Bice topped the Billboard Hot Pop 100 chart, Pop 100 chart, and the Hot Singles Sales chart with " "Inside Your Heaven."

Bo Bice missed some of the 'American Idols Live Tour' when he required emergency surgery for a "kink in his intestines."

Ruben Studdard could be heard on the Ray Charles LP Genius And Friends with the duet "Imagine."
LaToya London released Love And Life.
Bo Bice and his wife had a son.

Kimberley Locke topped the Billboard Adult Contemporary chart with "Up On The Housetop."
Bo Bice released The Real Thing.
Bo Bice was rushed to the hospital due to complications from his recent intestinal surgery.
Ruben Studdard topped the Billboard Year-End Charts as the Top Gospel Artist and with the Top Gospel Album (