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% (1.3 million votes); the vote total (65 million votes) 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 (in 2011) and Hudson (in 2009 and 2017), as well as produce an Academy Award and Tony Award winner, courtesy of Hudson (in 2007 and 2022, respectively).
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:
+American Idol (season 3) – regional auditions City Preliminary date Preliminary venue Filming date(s) Filming venue Golden tickets Los Angeles, California August 3, 2003 Rose Bowl September 2003 Renaissance Hollywood Hotel 25 Houston, Texas August 13, 2003 Minute Maid Park September 4–5, 2003InterContinental Houston 13 Atlanta, Georgia August 20, 2003 Georgia Dome September 2003 Atlanta Convention Center at AmericasMart 24 New York City, New York August 25, 2003 Jacob K. Javits Convention Center August 29, 2003 Waldorf-Astoria Hotel 29 San Francisco, California September 22, 2003 Pac Bell Park September 2003 Renaissance Parc 55 Hotel 10 Honolulu, Hawaii September 30, 2003 Aloha Stadium October 4–5, 2003 Sheraton Waikiki Hotel 17Total number of tickets to Hollywood 118
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 George Huff 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) Contestant Song Result Diana DeGarmo "I've Got the Music in Me"Safe (2nd) Marque Lynche "Wind Beneath My Wings" Eliminated Ashley Thomas "Crazy" Eliminated Katie Webber "Orange Colored Sky" Wild Card Erskine Walcott "Open Arms" Eliminated Jennifer Hudson "Imagine" Wild Card Matthew Metzger "Walking in Memphis"Wild Card (3rd) Fantasia Barrino "Something to Talk About"Safe (1st)
Group 2 (February 18) Contestant Song Result Matthew Rogers "What You Won't Do for Love"Safe (2nd) Briana Ramirez-Rial "Don't Know Why" Eliminated Noel Roman "This I Promise You" Eliminated Kara Master "I'm Outta Love" Eliminated Lisa Leuschner "Sweet Thing" Eliminated (3rd) Jesus Roman "Back at One" Eliminated Camile Velasco "One Last Cry" Safe (1st) Marisa Joy "Some Kind of Wonderful" Eliminated
Group 3 (February 25) Contestant Song Result Elizabeth LeTendre "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" Wild Card Eric Yoder "In the Still of the Night" Eliminated Amy Adams "The Power of Love"Safe (2nd) Jon Peter Lewis "Tiny Dancer"Wild Card (3rd) Charly Lowry "Chain of Fools" Eliminated Jonah Moananu "I Wish" Eliminated Leah LaBelle "I Have Nothing" Wild Card LaToya London "All by Myself" Safe (1st)
Group 4 (March 3) Contestant Song Result Suzy Vulaca "Un-Break My Heart" Wild Card John Preator "That's What Love Is All About" Eliminated Heather Piccinini "New Attitude" Eliminated John Stevens "She's Always a Woman" Safe (1st) Jasmine Trias "Run to You"Safe (2nd) George Huff "Always and Forever" Wild Card (3rd) Lisa Wilson "Come to My Window" Eliminated Tiara Purifoy "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" Eliminated
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 (born June 30, 1984, in High Point, North Carolina; 19 years old at the time of the show) 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 (born June 16, 1987, in Birmingham, Alabama; 16 years old at the time of the show) 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 (born November 3, 1986, in Honolulu, Hawaii; 17 years old at the time of the show) was from Mililani, Hawaii, and auditioned in Honolulu. LaToya London (born December 29, 1978, in San Francisco; 25 years old at the time of the show) was from Oakland, California, and auditioned in San Francisco with Aretha Franklin's "Chain of Fools." George Huff (born November 4, 1980, in New Orleans; 23 years old at the time of the show) auditioned in Houston with Joe Cocker's "You Are So Beautiful." He performed Luther Vandross' "Here and Now" in Hollywood. John Stevens (born July 28, 1987, in Buffalo, New York; 16 years old at the time of the show) 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 (born September 12, 1981, in Chicago; 22 years old at the time of the show) auditioned in Atlanta with Aretha Franklin's "Share Your Love with Me." Jon Peter Lewis (born November 7, 1979, in Lincoln, Nebraska; 24 years old at the time of the show) 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 (born September 1, 1985, in Makati, Philippines; 18 years old at the time of the show) was from Haiku, Hawaii, and auditioned in Honolulu with Fugees' "Ready or Not." Amy Adams (born July 25, 1979, in Kansas City, Kansas; 24 years old at the time of the show) 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 (born September 16, 1978, in Rancho Cucamonga, California; 25 years old at the time of the show) auditioned in Los Angeles with James Ingram's "Just Once." Leah LaBelle (born September 8, 1986, in Toronto, Canada; 17 years old at the time of the show) 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 (Do You Know Where You're Going To)" in Hollywood.
Finals This season, guests were introduced as celebrity judges and often also served as mentors for the week they appeared.
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 "(Sittin' On) 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
+ Non-competition performances 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 ('Til the Sun Comes Up)"Safe Amy Adams "Sin Wagon"Safe
+ Non-competition performance Performers Song Kimberley Locke "8th World Wonder"
Top 10 – Motown (March 31) Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson 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 (Is Weak for You)"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 + Non-competition performance Performers Song Top 10 "Ain't No Mountain High Enough"
Top 9 – Elton John (April 7)