American Idol season 3

Hollywood week

The first Hollywood round, held at the Pasadena Civic Center in Pasadena, California, began with 117 contestants. Each performed solo after coming onstage in groups, and they were also asked to write original lyrics and melody for one of ten song titles and perform it the next day. After these performances, one group was eliminated. In the next round, the remaining 87 contestants performed in groups of three, with men and women separated; the ladies chose from "You Can't Hurry Love," "Tell Him," or "Young Hearts Run Free," and the men from "Tell Her About It," "Never Gonna Give You Up," or "Up on the Roof." Thirty contestants were cut, and 57 advanced to solo performances. The contestants were then divided into three groups, with one group sent home, leaving 32 for the semifinals.

Semifinals

Season 3 saw George Huff step in for Donnie Williams, who was kicked off after a DUI arrest. Unlike earlier seasons, the semifinalists sang to a small live audience with an orchestra backing them on tape. Following the pattern from season 2, viewers voted two people from each group into the top 12, while everyone else got another shot in the Wild Card round. For that round, twelve former contestants were asked back, but only eight actually got to perform after the judges made cuts during rehearsals. One singer advanced by public vote, and each of the three judges picked one more. Before they could even sing, the judges eliminated Lisa Leuschner, Eric Yoder, Tiara Purifoy, and Marque Lynche.

Top 12 finalists

Fantasia Barrino, born June 30, 1984, in High Point, North Carolina, was 19 at the time. She auditioned in Atlanta with "Killing Me Softly with His Song" and "Proud Mary," and performed "Think" in Hollywood. Diana DeGarmo, born June 16, 1987, in Birmingham, Alabama, was 16 and from Snellville, Georgia; she auditioned in Honolulu with "Chain of Fools" and performed "A Fool in Love" in Hollywood. Jasmine Trias, born November 3, 1986, in Honolulu, Hawaii, was 17 and from Mililani, Hawaii; she auditioned in Honolulu.

LaToya London, born December 29, 1978, in San Francisco, was 25 and from Oakland, California; she auditioned in San Francisco with "Chain of Fools." George Huff, born November 4, 1980, in New Orleans, was 23; he auditioned in Houston with "You Are So Beautiful" and performed "Here and Now" in Hollywood. John Stevens, born July 28, 1987, in Buffalo, New York, was 16 and from East Amherst, New York; he auditioned in New York City with "The Way You Look Tonight" and performed "I Left My Heart in San Francisco" in Hollywood.

Jennifer Hudson, born September 12, 1981, in Chicago, was 22; she auditioned in Atlanta with "Share Your Love with Me." Jon Peter Lewis, born November 7, 1979, in Lincoln, Nebraska, was 24 and from Rexburg, Idaho; he auditioned in Honolulu with "Crazy Love" and performed "I Want You Back" in Hollywood. Camile Velasco, born September 1, 1985, in Makati, Philippines, was 18 and from Haiku, Hawaii; she auditioned in Honolulu with "Ready or Not." Amy Adams, born July 25, 1979, in Kansas City, Kansas, was 24 and from Bakersfield, California; she auditioned in Atlanta with "Rescue Me" and performed "The Power of Love" in Hollywood.

Matthew Rogers, born September 16, 1978, in Rancho Cucamonga, California, was 25; he auditioned in Los Angeles with "Just Once."

Finals

Guests were introduced as celebrity judges and often served as mentors for the week they appeared. Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson served as mentors and guest judges. Elton John served as a mentor and guest judge, with contestants performing songs from his discography. Quentin Tarantino served as a mentor and guest judge, with contestants choosing songs featured in movies.

Barry Manilow served as a mentor and guest judge, with contestants performing songs from his discography. Gloria Estefan served as a mentor and guest judge, with contestants performing songs from her discography. Donna Summer served as a mentor and guest judge, with contestants performing two songs each. Clive Davis served as a mentor and guest judge, with contestants performing three songs each: one chosen by themselves, one by a judge, and one by Davis.

The two finalists performed three songs each. After a nationwide vote of more than 65 million votes—more than the first two seasons combined—Fantasia Barrino won over Diana DeGarmo. Kelly Clarkson is quoted in the June 14, 2004 People magazine as saying she voted for Fantasia: "I just hit redial, redial." Prior to the results show, Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue and North Carolina Governor Mike Easley announced a friendly bet, each wagering a VIP NASCAR ticket package and a shipment of his state's signature fruit.