Almost 610 Million Total Votes Cast
During Sixth Season of Television's No. 1 Show;
World-Record 74 Million Votes Received Tuesday Night
Guest Performers Included Tony Bennett, Doug E. Fresh, Green Day, Gladys Knight, Bette Midler, Joe Perry, Smokey Robinson, Gwen Stefani, BeBe and CeCe Winans and The African Children’s Choir
Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Hicks Returned to AMERICAN IDOL Stage
The extraordinary sixth season of AMERICAN IDOL came to a spectacular conclusion tonight as 17-year-old Jordin Sparks was crowned the competition’s youngest-ever winner during the live two-hour season finale on FOX. Sparks from Glendale, AZ, emerged as America's choice in a competition that began with over 100,000 hopefuls who auditioned in San Antonio, Minneapolis, Memphis, Birmingham, Los Angeles, New York and Seattle. Over the course of the season, viewers cast a record-breaking number of votes – almost 610 million – in support of their favorite contestants. Amazingly, 74 million votes were received after Tuesday’s performance show, shattering the previous world record of 70 million set April 24 following the IDOL GIVES BACK fund-raising special.
The broadcast from the legendary Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, CA, featured a number of headline performances. Fifteen-time Grammy Award winner Tony Bennett crooned “For Once in My Life”; Gwen Stefani sang “4 in the Morning”; Green Day performed John Lennon’s “Working Class Hero”; Bette Midler sang her classic “Wind Beneath My Wings”; and the African Children’s Choir, encoring their appearance on IDOL GIVES BACK, delighted the audience with “Abataka.”
Also returning to the AMERICAN IDOL stage were past winners Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Carrie Underwood and Taylor Hicks. Clarkson performed her new single “Never Again”; Studdard duetted with Sparks on the Motown classic “You’re All I Need to Get By”; Underwood reprised her IDOL GIVES BACK performance of “I’ll Stand By You”; while Hicks belted his new single “Heaven Knows.”
Honoring the 40th anniversary of the release of the Beatles’ legendary “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” the returning Idols joined with this season’s Top 12 to sing a medley of the iconic album’s hits.
The Top 6 guys were joined by Smokey Robinson for a medley of his hits, specially arranged by David Thomas of Take 6, while the Top 6 girls joined Gladys Knight for a medley of her chart-topping songs. Lewis and Doug E. Fresh had the audience on its feet as they performed “The Show.” Third-place finisher Melinda Doolittle had the house jumping with her rendition of “Hold Up the Light” featuring gospel duo BeBe and CeCe Winans. Finalist Sanjaya Malakar joined Aerosmith’s Joe Perry on the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me.” Sparks and Lewis kicked off the show with a duet of another Beatles tune, “I Saw Her Standing There.”
Sparks is the sixth American Idol to be crowned, joining Clarkson, Studdard, Fantasia, Underwood and Hicks as winners of the coveted title, a major recording contract and a management contract.
On Tuesday night's final competition, Sparks and Lewis each performed three songs. Both co-finalists sang “This Is My Now,” Scott Krippayne and Jeff Peabody’s winning entry in this season’s American Idol Songwriting Contest. In addition, Sparks sang "Fighter” and "Broken Wing,” and Lewis sang "She Will" and "You Give Love a Bad Name." The night was capped by a special performance by Daughtry, the band fronted by 2006 AMERICAN IDOL finalist Chris Daughtry, of their hit song “Home.”
Sparks capped her coronation on Wednesday’s finale by reprising “This Is My Now.” The song is available for digital download exclusively on Americanidol.com and iTunes.com.
AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.
Visit Americanidol.com for exclusive videos and photos from the audition cities, special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.
Wednesday, February 21 “Since You’ve Been Gone” Aretha Franklin
Wednesday, February 28 “My Funny Valentine” Mitzi Green
Wednesday, March 7 “I’m a Woman” Peggy Lee
Tuesday, March 13 “Home” The Wiz (musical)
Tuesday, March 20 “As Long As He Needs Me” Oliver (musical)
Tuesday, March 27 “Heaven Knows” Donna Summer
Tuesday, April 3 “I’ve Got Rhythm” Tony Bennett
Tuesday, April 10 “Sway” Michael Buble
Tuesday, April 17 “Trouble is a Woman” Julie Reeves
Tuesday, April 24 “There Will Come a Day” Faith Hill
Tuesday, May 1 “Have A Nice Day” Bon Jovi
Tuesday, May 8 “Love You Inside And Out” Bee Gees
“How Can You Mend a Broken Heart” Bee Gees
Tuesday, May 15 “I Believe in You and Me” Whitney Houston
“Not Bush City Limits” Ike and Tina Turner
“I’m a Woman” Peggy Lee
Wednesday, February 21 “How Come You Don’t Call Me” Prince
Wednesday, February 28 “Dangerously In Love” Beyonce
Wednesday, March 7 “Sweet Thing” Chaka Khan
Tuesday, March 13 “Love Hangover” Diana Ross
Tuesday, March 20 “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” Dusty Springfield
Wednesday, February 21 “All By Myself” Eric Carmen
Wednesday, February 28 “Alone” Heart
Wednesday, March 7 “Call Me When You’re Sober” Evanescence
Tuesday, March 13 “Love Child” Diana Ross and The Supremes
Tuesday, March 20 “Paint It Black” The Rolling Stones
Tuesday, March 27 “I’ll Stand By You” The Pretenders
Tuesday, April 3 “Smile” Charlie Chaplin
Wednesday, February 21 “And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going” Jennifer Holliday
Wednesday, February 28 “Midnight Train to Georgia” Gladys Knight & The Pips
Wednesday, March 7 “I Have Nothing” Whitney Houston
Tuesday, March 13 “God Bless the Child” Billie Holiday
Tuesday, March 20 “Diamonds Are Forever” Shirley Bassey
Tuesday, March 27 “Last Dance” Donna Summer
Tuesday, April 3 “Stormy Weather (Ain’t No Sunshine)” Bill Withers
Tuesday, April 10 “Conga” Gloria Estefan
Tuesday, April 17 “Jesus Take the Wheel” Carrie Underwood
Tuesday, April 24 “I Believe” Fantasia
Tuesday, May 1 “This Ain’t a Love Song” Bong Jovi
Tuesday, May 8 “Stayin’ Alive” Bee Gees
“Run to Me” Bee Gees
Tuesday, February 20 “Somewhere Only We Know” Keane
Tuesday, February 27 “Virtual Insanity” Jamiroquai
Tuesday, March 6 “All Mixed Up” 311
Tuesday, March 13 “You Keep Me Hanging On” Diana Ross and The Supremes
Tuesday, March 20 “Time of the Season” The Zombies
Tuesday, March 27 “Love Song” The Cure
Tuesday, April 3 “Mack the Knife” Ella Fitzgerald
Tuesday, April 10 “I Need to Know” Marc Anthony
Tuesday, April 17 “When the Stars Go Blue” Tim McGraw
Tuesday, April 24 “Imagine” John Lennon
Tuesday, May 1 “You Give Love a Bad Name” Bon Jovi
Tuesday, May 9 “You Should Be Dancing” Bee Gees
“This Is Where I Came In” Bee Gees
Tuesday, May 15 “Roxanne” Sting
“This Love” Maroon 5
“When I Get You Alone” Robin Thicke
Sanjaya Malakar Songs Sung
Tuesday, February 20 “Knocks Me Off My Feet” Stevie Wonder
Tuesday, February 27 “Steppin’ Out With My Baby” Tony Bennett
Tuesday, March 6 “Waiting On the World to Change” John Mayer
Tuesday, March 13 “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” Diana Ross
Tuesday, March 20 “You Really Got Me” The Kinks
Tuesday, March 27 “Bathwater” No Doubt
Tuesday, April 3 “Cheek to Cheek” Ella Fitzgerald
Tuesday, April 10 “Besame Mucho” Andrea Bocelli
Tuesday, April 17 “Something to Talk About” Bonnie Raitt
Tuesday, February 20 “I Don’t Wanna Be” Gavid DeGraw
Tuesday, February 27 “Geek in the Pink” Jason Mraz
Tuesday, March 6 “Tonight I Wanna Cry” Keith Urban
Tuesday, March 13 “The Boss” Diana Ross
Tuesday, March 20 “Don’t Let the Sun Catch You Crying” Gerry And The Pacemakers
Tuesday, March 27 “Don’t Speak” No Doubt
Tuesday, April 3 “Don’t Get Around Much Anymore” Duke Ellington
Tuesday, April 10 “Smooth” Santana-Rob Thomas
Tuesday, April 17 “Mayberry” Rascal Flatts
Tuesday, April 24 “Change the World” Eric Clapton
Tuesday, May 1 “Wanted Dead, Or Alive” Bon Jovi
Brandon Rogers Songs Sung
Tuesday, Feb 20 “Rock With You” Michael Jackson
Tuesday, February 27 “Time After Time” Cyndi Lauper
Tuesday, March 6 “I Just Want To Celebrate” Rare Earth
Tuesday, March 13 “You Can’t Hurry Love” The Supremes
Wednesday, February 21 “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” Celine Dion
Wednesday, February 28 “Queen of the Night” Whitney Houston
Wednesday, March 7 “If My Heart Had Wings” Faith Hill
Tuesday, March 13 “Missing You” Diana Ross
Tuesday, March 20 “Tell Him” Billie Davis
Tuesday, March 27 “True Colors” Cyndi Lauper
Tuesday, April 3 “Ain’t Misbehavin” Billie Holiday
Tuesday, April 10 “Turn the Beat Around” Gloria Estefan
Tuesday, February 20 “Typical” Mute Math
Tuesday, February 27 “Trouble” Ray LaMontagne
Tuesday, March 6 “Wanna Be Loved” Bon Jovi
Tuesday, March 13 “Endless Love” Diana Ross/Lionel Richie
Tuesday, March 20 “She’s Not There” The Zombies
Tuesday, March 27 “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic” The Police
Wednesday, February 21 “Give Me One Reason” Tracy Chapman
Wednesday, February 28 “Reflection” Christina Aguilera
Wednesday, March 7 “Heartbreaker” Pat Benatar
Tuesday, March 13 “If We Hold on Together” The Land Before Time (movie)
Tuesday, March 20 “I Who Have Nothing” Shirley Bassey
Tuesday, March 27 “Hey Baby” No Doubt
Tuesday, April 3 “On a Clear Day” Tony Bennett
Tuesday, April 10 “The Rhythm Is Gonna Get You” Gloria Estefan
Tuesday, April 17 “Broken Wing” Martina McBride
Tuesday, April 24 “You’ll Never Walk Alone” Richard Rogers
Tuesday, May 1 “Livin’ On a Prayer” Bon Jovi
Tuesday, May 8 “To Love Somebody” Bee Gees
“Woman In Love” Bee Gees
Tuesday May 15 “Wishing On a Star” Rose Royce
“She Works Hard for the Money” Donna Summer
“I Who Have Nothing” Shirley Bassey
Tuesday, April 24 “The Change” Garth Brooks
WEEK-BY-WEEK-RECAP
DATE
Tuesday, Jan 16 American Idol Auditions (Minneapolis)
Wednesday, Jan 17 American Idol Auditions (Seattle)
Tuesday, Jan 23 American Idol Auditions (Memphis)
Wednesday, Jan 24 American Idol Auditions (New York)
Tuesday, Jan 30 American Idol Auditions (Birmingham)
Wednesday, Jan 31 American Idol Auditions (Los Angeles)
Tuesday, Feb 6 American Idol Auditions (San Antonio)
Wednesday, Feb 7 Best Of The Rest Auditions
Tuesday, Feb 13 Hollywood Day One Semifinal Auditions
Wednesday, Feb 14 Hollywood Day Two Semifinal Auditions
Tuesday, Feb 20 Top 12 boys perform: Rudy Cardenas, Jared Cotter, Sundance Head, Paul Kim, Blake Lewis, Sanjaya Malakar, Nick Pedro, Chris Richardson, Brandon Rogers, Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey, A.J. Tabaldo
Wednesday, Feb 21 Top 12 girls perform: Alaina Alexander, Antonella Barba, Melinda Doolittle, Stephanie Edwards, Gina Glocksen, Leslie Hunt, LaKisha Jones, Amy Krebs, Haley Scarnato, Sabrina Sloan, Jordin Sparks, Nicole Tranquillo
Thursday, Feb 22 American Idol (Season 3) Winner Fantasia Barrino sings. First results show: Two boys and two girls are voted off. Paul Kim, Rudy Cardenas, Nicole Tranquillo and Amy Krebs are sent home during an hour-long results show.
Tuesday, Feb 27 Top 10 boys perform: A.J. Tabaldo, Blake Lewis, Brandon Rogers, Chris Richardson, Chris Sligh, Jared Cotter, Nick Pedro, Phil Stacey, Sanjaya Malakar, Sundance Head
Wednesday, Feb 28 Top 10 girls perform: Alaina Alexander, Antonella Barba, Melinda Doolittle, Stephanie Edwards, Gina Glocksen, Leslie Hunt, LaKisha Jones, Haley Scarnato, Sabrina Sloan, Jordin Sparks
Thursday, Mar 1 American Idol (Season 5) Contestant Kellie Pickler sings. Two boys and two girls are voted off. Nick Pedro, A.J. Tabaldo, Alaina Alexander and Leslie Hunt are sent home during an hour-long results show.
Tuesday, Mar 6 Top 8 boys perform: Blake Lewis, Brandon Rogers, Chris Richardson, Chris Sligh, Jared Cotter, Phil Stacey, Sanjaya Malakar, Sundance Head
Wednesday, Mar 7 Top 8 girls perform: Antonella Barba, Gina Glocksen, Haley Scarnato, Jordin Sparks, LaKisha Jones, Melinda Doolittle, Sabrina Sloan, Stephanie Edwards
Thursday, Mar 8 American Idol (Season 4) Winner Carrie Underwood sings. This season’s Top 12 Semifinalists are named: Blake Lewis, Sanjaya Malakar, Chris Richardson, Brandon Rogers, Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey, Melinda Doolittle, Stephanie Edwards, Gina Glocksen, LaKisha Jones, Haley Scarnato and Jordin Sparks.
Antonella Barba, Jared Cotter, Sundance Head and Sabrina Sloan were eliminated from the competition.
Tuesday, Mar 13 Diana Ross mentored the finalists as they performed her songs. The finalists include: Blake Lewis, Sanjaya Malakar, Chris Richardson, Brandon Rogers, Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey, Melinda Doolittle, Stephanie Edwards, Gina Glocksen, LaKisha Jones, Haley Scarnato and Jordin Sparks
Theme: The Music of Diana Ross
Wednesday, Mar 14 Brandon Rogers is eliminated from the competition. The bottom 3 contestants were Brandon Rogers, Sanjaya Malakar and Phil Stacey
Diana Ross performed “More Today Than Yesterday”
Tuesday, Mar 20 11 finalists competed live, performing British pop songs. Peter Noone and Lulu mentored the finalists.
Theme: 1960’s British Pop Invasion
Wednesday, Mar 21 Stephanie Edwards is eliminated from the competition. Only the bottom 2 contestants, Stephanie Edwards and Chris Richardson, were announced.
Lulu performed “To Sir With Love”
Peter Noone performed “There’s a Kind of Hush.”
Tuesday, Mar 27 10 finalists competed live during a Pop Theme/Songs That Inspire Gwen Stefani show. Gwen Stefani mentored the finalists.
Theme: Pop/Songs That Inspire Gwen Stefani
Wednesday, Mar 28 Chris Sligh is eliminated from the competition. The bottom 3 contestants were Chris Sligh, Phil Stacey and Haley Scarnato.
Gwen Stefani and Akon performed “The Sweet Escape.”
Tuesday, Apr 3 9 finalists competed live during an “American Classics” themed competition. Tony Bennett mentored the finalists.
Theme: American Classics
Wednesday, Apr 4 Gina Glocksen is eliminated from the competition. The bottom 3 contestants were Gina Glocksen, Phil Stacey and Haley Scarnato.
Michael Buble performed “Call Me Irresponsible.”
Tuesday, Apr 10 8 finalists performed Latin-themed songs. Jennifer Lopez mentored the finalists.
Theme: Latin Songs
Wednesday, Apr 11 Haley Scarnato is eliminated from the competition. The bottom 3 contestants were Haley Scarnato, Phil Stacey and Chris Richardson.
Akon performed “Don’t Matter.”
Jennifer Lopez performed “Que Hiciste.”
Tuesday, Apr 17 7 finalists competed live during a country themed competition. Martina McBride mentored the finalists.
Theme: Country Music
Wednesday, Apr 18 Sanjaya Malakar is eliminated from the competition. The bottom 3 contestants were Sanjaya Malakar, LaKisha Jones and Blake Lewis.
Fergie performed “Big Girls Don’t Cry.”
Martina McBride performed “Anyway.”
Tuesday, Apr 24 IDOL GIVES BACK - 6 finalists competed during the live charity event in which they performed “Life Anthem” songs.
Theme: Life Anthems
Wednesday, Apr 25 All 6 finalists were safe as no one was eliminated due to the special charity event. Ellen DeGeneres was a special co-host of IDOL GIVES BACK. Celebrity participants appeared on screen included: Bono, Madonna, Seal, Kirstie Alley, Gillian Anderson, Marc Anthony, Kevin Bacon, Jason Biggs, Jack Black, Blue Man Group, Emily Blunt, Michael Buble, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, Daughtry, Mickey Dolenz, Hugh Grant, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Teri Hatcher, Goldie Hawn, LeBron James, Chris Kattan, Keira Knightley, Lisa Kudrow, Hugh Laurie, Rob Lowe, Joel and Benji Madden, Eric McCormack, Dr. Phil McGraw, Kevin McNally, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Shaquille O’Neal, Gwyneth Paltrow, Miss Piggy, Rob Schneider, David Schwimmer, The Simpsons, Ben Stiller, Twiggy, Harvey Weinstein and Forest Whitaker.
Earth, Wind & Fire performed a compilation of songs.
The 6 finalists sang a Quincy Jones song called “Time to Care.”
IL Divo performed “Somewhere.”
Jack Black performed “Kiss From a Rose,” by Seal.
Carrie Underwood performed (taped segment) “I’ll Stand By You.”
Rascal Flatts performed “My Wish.”
Josh Groban with the African Children’s Choir performed “You Raise Me Up.”
Kelly Clarkson performed “Up to the Mountain.”
Celine Dion and Elvis (virtual) performed “If I Can Dream.”
Annie Lennox performed “Bridge Over Troubled Water”
The 6 finalists performed “American Prayer,” a specially commissioned song by Bono and Dave Stewart.
Tuesday, May 1 The 6 finalists performed Bon Jovi songs. Bon Jovi mentored the finalists.
Theme: Bon Jovi songs
Wednesday, May 2 Chris Richardson and Phil Stacey are eliminated from the competition. There were 2 eliminations this week due to no one being eliminated last week (IGB).
Robin Thicke performed “Lost Without You.”
Bon Jovi performed “You Want To Make A Memory.”
Tuesday, May 8 4 finalists competed live during a Bee Gees-themed competition. Barry Gibb mentored the finalists.
Theme: Bee Gees songs
Wednesday, May 9 LaKisha Jones is eliminated from the competition. The bottom 2 contestants were LaKisha Jones and Blake Lewis.
Pink performed “Who New.”
Barry Gibb performed “To Love Somebody.”
Tuesday, May 15 Top 3 finalists competed live and performed 3 songs; judge’s pick, producer’s pick and their own personal favorite.
Wednesday, May 16 Melinda Doolittle is eliminated from the competition; Top 2 revealed
TUESDAY, MAY 22 Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks battle it out for America’s vote and the title of American Idol.
IDOL GIVES BACK – Charity Show Tuesday, April 24, 2007 & Wednesday, April 25, 2007
IDOL GIVES BACK was a two-night special raising awareness and funds for organizations that provide relief programs to help people in extreme poverty in America and Africa. Almost $70 million was raised to aid those in need. On Tuesday’s performance show, the finalists sang songs that could be considered “Life Anthems” On Wednesday’s results show, the night culminated in Bono and Dave Stewart’s specially commissioned song “American Prayer,” performed by the Top 6 finalists. Also appearing on the AMERICAN IDOL stage, Celine Dion traveled back to 1968 to duet with the late Elvis Presley on his hit song “If I Can Dream,” and the Top 6 finalists sang Quincy Jones’ anthem “Time to Care” after being mentored by the legendary music producer. Additional celebrities appearing on the AMERICAN IDOL set included Jack Black and Seal.
Earth, Wind & Fire, Il Divo, Rascal Flatts, Josh Groban with the African Children’s Choir, the original American Idol Kelly Clarkson and Annie Lennox gave live performances from Walt Disney Concert Hall, where Ellen DeGeneres hosted.
The illustrious group of celebrity participants in IDOL GIVES BACK also included Madonna, as well as Kirstie Alley, Gillian Anderson, Marc Anthony, Kevin Bacon, Jason Biggs, Blue Man Group, Emily Blunt, Michael Bublé, Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Cruise, Matt Damon, Chris Daughtry, Mickey Dolenz, Hugh Grant, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Teri Hatcher, Goldie Hawn, LeBron James, Chris Kattan, Keira Knightley, Lisa Kudrow, Hugh Laurie, Rob Lowe, Joel and Benji Madden, Eric McCormack, Dr. Phil McGraw, Kevin McNally, Helen Mirren, Parminder Nagra, Shaquille O’Neal, Gwyneth Paltrow, Miss Piggy, Rob Schneider, David Schwimmer, the Simpsons, Ben Stiller, Twiggy, Harvey Weinstein and Forest Whitaker.
CREDITS:
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Nigel Lythgoe
Ken Warwick
Cecile Frot-Coutaz
Simon Fuller
DIRECTOR: Bruce Gowers
EXECUTIVE IN CHARGE OF
PRODUCTION: Wylleen May
SUPERVISING PRODUCER: Charles Boyd
SENIOR PRODUCER: James Breen
COORDINATING PRODUCER: Patrick Lynn
VOCAL COACH: Debra Byrd & Dorian Holly
ASSOC. MUSICAL DIR.: Michael Orland
HAIR/MAKEUP: Dean Banowetz (hair)
Mezghan Hussainy (makeup)
Themes
Season One: Motown
‘60s songs
‘70s songs
Big Band
Love songs
’80s and ‘90s songs
Judges’ choice, contestant’s choice and random draw
Season Two: Motown
Film songs
Country rock
Disco
Billboard #1 Hits
Billy Joel songbook
Diane Warren songs
‘60s/Neil Sedaka
Bee Gees songs
Season Three: Soul
Country
Motown
Elton John songbook
Barry Manilow songbook
Latin
Season Four: ‘60s songs
‘90s songs
Musicals
Songs from the year you were born
‘70s dance songs
Songs from 2000 to 2005
Hit songs from Leiber and Stoller
This week’s Top-40 charts
Country songs
Songs from Gamble and Huff
Season Five Music of Stevie Wonder
Music of the ‘50s
Songs of the 21st Century
Queen songs
American songbook
Classic love songs
Songs from the year you were born/Top-10 Billboard charts
Elvis songs
3 songs:Judges’ choice, Clive Davis’ choice, contestant’s choice
Season Six Music of Diana Ross
Music of the 1960’s-British Pop Invasion
Pop Songs
American Classics
Latin-Themed Songs
Life Anthem Songs
Country Songs
Rock Songs
Bee Gees Songs
