American Idol 9 (Courtesy Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

The ninth season of American Idol premiered on January 12, 2010 and concluded on May 26, 2010 on Fox. Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi all returned as judges, and Ellen DeGeneres replaced Paula Abdul as the fourth judge. Idol Gives Back also returned for the season and was held on April 21, 2010, during the top seven results show. The top 24 semi-finals format used in the fourth through seventh seasons also returned this season. Judges Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, and Ellen DeGeneres all left the show after this season ended, although only Cowell's departure was announced in advance. This was the second season where neither of the final 2 contestants had been in the bottom 2 or 3 prior to the finale, with the first being the seventh season. This was also the third consecutive season a male contestant had won, the longest streak for either gender. It was the first season since season 6 where a female made it to the finale and was also the first time since season 5 that both the finalists released a different song as a debut single.

Lee DeWyze, a folk rocker from Mount Prospect, Illinois won the competition, beating the runner-up Crystal Bowersox.

Judges

After the season began, Paula Abdul did not return as the fourth judge on the panel, having announced in the beginning of August 2009 that she was leaving the show due to unresolved contract negotiations. Victoria Beckham, Mary J. Blige, Shania Twain, Katy Perry, Avril Lavigne, Joe Jonas, Neil Patrick Harris and Kristin Chenoweth were brought in to star as guest judges during the auditions phase. There was no guest judge on day two of the Orlando auditions for season nine because day one guest judge Kristin Chenoweth was called back to New York City. Therefore Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson appeared with only three judges on the audition panel similar to the main panel between season 1 - 7.

After making the decision to utilize guest judges in Abdul's absence, Fox chairman Peter Rice stated that they would find a permanent fourth judge before the season premiere in January 2010, leading the confirmation on September 9, 2009 by Ellen DeGeneres that she would be joining the show as the new permanent fourth judge for the rounds held at CBS Television City for Hollywood Week and thereafter, onto the live shows.

In addition, Simon Cowell announced shortly before the ninth season began that it would be his last season on American Idol. Cowell left the show to begin preparations for an American version of his talent show The X-Factor. Also, Ellen DeGeneres announced on July 29, 2010 that she would not return to the judging panel because it was not the right fit for her. Kara DioGuardi would also not return as a judge for season 10 as announced on September 3, 2010.

After her departure, DioGuardi helped and nominated Steven Tyler for a role as a judge on season ten to show's producers.

Regional auditions

Auditions had begun on June 14 of the previous year, less than a month after previous season's finale. Auditions were held in the following cities:

During this stage guest judges filled in the fourth judging seat.

Episode Air Date	Audition City	First Audition Date	Audition Venue	Callback Date	Callback Venue	Guest Judge	Golden Tickets
January 12, 2010	Boston, Massachusetts	June 14, 2009	Gillette Stadium	August 13 & 14, 2009	60 State Street	Victoria Beckham	32
January 13, 2010	Atlanta, Georgia	June 18, 2009	Georgia Dome	August 16 & 17, 2009	W Hotel Atlanta Midtown	Mary J. Blige	25
January 19, 2010	Chicago, Illinois	June 22, 2009	United Center	August 31 & September 1, 2009	Hyatt Regency Chicago	Shania Twain	13
January 20, 2010	Orlando, Florida	July 9, 2009	Amway Arena	August 28 & 29, 2009	Rosen Shingle Creek Resort	Kristin Chenoweth	31
January 26, 2010	Los Angeles, California	June 30, 2009	Rose Bowl Stadium	September 4, 2009	Marina del Rey Marriott	Avril Lavigne	23
				September 3, 2009		Katy Perry
January 27, 2010	Dallas, Texas	June 26, 2009	Cowboys Stadium	August 25, 2009	W Hotel Dallas Victory	Neil Patrick Harris	31
				August 24, 2009		Joe Jonas
February 2, 2010	Denver, Colorado	July 14, 2009	Invesco Field	August 7 & 8, 2009	Grand Hyatt	Victoria Beckham	26
Total Tickets to Hollywood							181

"Pants on the Ground"

During the Atlanta auditions, 62-year-old activist Larry Platt appeared and performed his original song "Pants on the Ground." The song's lyrics criticize people wearing the hip-hop style of clothing including pants that sag. Well over the age limit of 28, Platt was ineligible to continue. His performance has since become a viral hit, and several celebrities performed the song in the days that followed the original airing of his audition in Atlanta.

Hollywood week

Held at the Kodak Theatre for the second straight year, the first day of Hollywood Week featured the 181 contestants from the auditions round (although only 172 contestants were listed on the American Idol website) singing solo with the option of playing an instrument. Ninety-six contestants advanced. The next round required the contestants to split up into groups and perform. Seventy-one advanced to the final round of Hollywood requiring a solo performance. Forty-six made it to the final round where the judges take contestants one by one and tell them if they made the final twenty-four.

Ellen DeGeneres made her first appearance as a judge (replacing Paula Abdul) at this time.

Semi-finals

Semi-finalists

The first seven were revealed on February 16, 2010 (during the second hour on the episode), and the rest were revealed on the following night's episode.

Females Contestant Date of Birth Age Hometown Audition Location Voted Off Lilly Scott May 16, 1989 20 Littleton, Colorado Denver, Colorado March 11 Katelyn Epperly March 21, 1990 20 West Des Moines, Iowa Chicago, Illinois Haeley Vaughn June 5, 1993 16 Fort Collins, Colorado Denver, Colorado March 4 Michelle Delamor December 31, 1987 22 Miami, Florida Orlando, Florida Ashley Rodriguez November 4, 1987 22 Boston, Massachusetts Boston, Massachusetts February 25 Janell Wheeler May 8, 1985 24 Orlando, Florida Orlando, Florida

Males Contestant Date of Birth Age Hometown Audition Location Voted Off Alex Lambert December 10, 1990 19 North Richland Hills, Texas Dallas, Texas March 11 Todrick Hall April 4, 1985 25 Arlington, Texas Dallas, Texas Jermaine Sellers February 9, 1983 27 Joliet, Illinois Atlanta, Georgia March 4 John Park September 13, 1988 21 Northbrook, Illinois Chicago, Illinois Tyler Grady October 26, 1989 20 Nazareth, Pennsylvania Boston, Massachusetts February 25 Joe Muñoz August 23, 1989 20 Huntington Park, California Los Angeles

The semi-final format used through seasons 4-7 has been revived for this season. Starting with 12 women and 12 men, the women and men perform on weekly separate shows and on the result shows, the bottom 2 women and the bottom 2 men are eliminated from the competition. The semi-finals took place over three weeks until there are six women and six men forming the top 12.

From this point on in the show, this season's exit song, "Leave Right Now" by Will Young, was played over eliminations.

Top 24 - Billboard Hot 100 Hits

Order	Females				Males
	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result		Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Paige Miles	"All Right Now" (Free)	Safe		Todrick Hall	"Since U Been Gone" (Kelly Clarkson)	Safe
2	Ashley Rodriguez	"Happy" (Leona Lewis)	Eliminated		Aaron Kelly	"Here Comes Goodbye" (Rascal Flatts)	Safe
3	Janell Wheeler	"What About Love" (Heart)	Eliminated		Jermaine Sellers	"Get Here" (Brenda Russell)	Safe
4	Lilly Scott	"Fixing a Hole" (The Beatles)	Safe		Tim Urban	"Apologize" (OneRepublic)	Safe
5	Katelyn Epperly	"Oh! Darling" (The Beatles)	Safe		Joe Muñoz	"You and I Both" (Jason Mraz)	Eliminated
6	Haeley Vaughn	"I Want to Hold Your Hand" (The Beatles)	Safe		Tyler Grady	"American Woman" (The Guess Who)	Eliminated
7	Lacey Brown	"Landslide" (Fleetwood Mac)	Safe		Lee DeWyze	"Chasing Cars" (Snow Patrol)	Safe
8	Michelle Delamor	"Fallin'" (Alicia Keys)	Safe		John Park	"God Bless the Child" (Billie Holiday)	Safe
9	Didi Benami	"The Way I Am" (Ingrid Michaelson)	Safe		Michael Lynche	"This Love" (Maroon 5)	Safe
10	Siobhan Magnus	"Wicked Game" (Chris Isaak)	Safe		Alex Lambert	"Wonderful World" (James Morrison)	Safe
11	Crystal Bowersox	"Hand in My Pocket" (Alanis Morissette)	Safe		Casey James	"Heaven" (Bryan Adams)	Safe
12	Katie Stevens	"Feeling Good" (Cy Grant)	Safe		Andrew Garcia	"Sugar, We're Goin Down" (Fall Out Boy)	Safe

Top 20 - Billboard Hot 100 Hits

Note: The females were scheduled to go first, but medical issues with Crystal Bowersox, who was hospitalized on March 2 with complications from diabetes, required a switch.

Order	Males				Females
	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result		Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Michael Lynche		Safe			"Long As I Can See the Light" (Creedence Clearwater Revival)	Safe
2	John Park	"Gravity" (John Mayer)	Eliminated		Haeley Vaughn	"The Climb" (Miley Cyrus)	Eliminated
3	Casey James	"I Don't Want to Be" (Gavin DeGraw)	Safe		Lacey Brown	"Kiss Me" (Sixpence None the Richer)	Safe
4	Alex Lambert	"Everybody Knows" (John Legend)	Safe		Katie Stevens		Safe
5	Todrick Hall	"What's Love Got to Do with It" (Tina Turner)	Safe		Didi Benami	"Lean on Me" (Bill Withers)	Safe
6		"What's Going On" (Marvin Gaye)	Eliminated		Michelle Delamor	"With Arms Wide Open" (Creed)	Eliminated
7	Andrew Garcia	"You Give Me Something" (James Morrison)	Safe		Lilly Scott	"A Change Is Gonna Come" (Sam Cooke)	Safe
8	Aaron Kelly	"My Girl" (The Temptations)	Safe		Katelyn Epperly	"The Scientist" (Coldplay)	Safe
9	Tim Urban	"Come On Get Higher" (Matt Nathanson)	Safe		Paige Miles	"Walk Away" (Kelly Clarkson)	Safe
10	Lee DeWyze	"Lips of an Angel" (Hinder)	Safe		Siobhan Magnus	"Think" (Aretha Franklin)	Safe

Top 16 - Billboard Hot 100 Hits

Order	Females				Males
	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result		Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Katie Stevens	"Breakaway" (Kelly Clarkson)	Safe		Lee DeWyze	"Fireflies" (Owl City)	Safe
2	Siobhan Magnus	"The House of the Rising Sun" (traditional)	Safe		Alex Lambert	"Trouble" (Ray LaMontagne)	Eliminated
3	Lacey Brown	"The Story" (Brandi Carlile)	Safe		Tim Urban	"Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen)	Safe
4	Katelyn Epperly	"I Feel the Earth Move" (Carole King)	Eliminated		Andrew Garcia	"Genie in a Bottle" (Christina Aguilera)	Safe
5	Didi Benami	"Rhiannon" (Fleetwood Mac)	Safe		Casey James	"You'll Think of Me" (Keith Urban)	Safe
6	Paige Miles	"Smile" (Charlie Chaplin)	Safe		Aaron Kelly	"I'm Already There" (Lonestar)	Safe
7	Crystal Bowersox	"Give Me One Reason" (Tracy Chapman)	Safe		Todrick Hall	"Somebody to Love" (Queen)	Eliminated
8	Lilly Scott	"I Fall to Pieces" (Patsy Cline)	Eliminated		Michael Lynche	"This Woman's Work" (Kate Bush)	Safe

Finalists

• Lee DeWyze (born April 2, 1986 in Mount Prospect, Illinois, 23 years at the start of the show) is from Mount Prospect, Illinois and auditioned in Chicago, Illinois with Bill Withers' Ain't No Sunshine. He performed The Fray's "You Found Me" during Hollywood week. Prior to his appearance on American Idol, he had worked in various jobs, including as a paint salesman and a trading floor clerk at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. He also appeared as an actor in a short low-budget film 'Deadscapes: Broken Road.' When he was 17, he was signed to Wuli Records and had released two CDs - So I'm Told and Slumberland. He was declared the winner of Season 9 of American Idol on May 26, 2010. He was signed to RCA Records after the competition and released an album Live It Up on November 16, 2010.

• Crystal Bowersox (born August 4, 1985 in Elliston, Ohio, 24 years at the time of the show) is from Elliston, Ohio and auditioned in Chicago, Illinois with Erma Franklin's Piece of My Heart. She auditioned for Idol to try to make a better life for her son. Her Hollywood performance of Aretha Franklin's "(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman" impressed the judges and fellow contestants alike. She had performed as a singer from the age of 10 and moved to Chicago aged 17, frequently working as a busker at train stations there. She was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when she was 6, and while on the show, she suffered diabetic complication and was hospitalized which resulted in the Top 20 performance nights for the male and female contestants being switched. She became the Season 9 runner-up on May 26, 2010 and was signed to Jive Records. Her debut album Farmer's Daughter was released on December 14, 2010. She was married to Brian Walker on October 10, 2010.

• Casey James (born May 31, 1982 in Princeton, Texas, 27 years at the time of the show) is from Fort Worth, Texas and auditioned in Denver, Colorado with John Mayer's "Slow Dancing in a Burning Room." He performed professionally after finishing school, but suffered a serious motorcycle accident when he was 21. He took his shirt off during audition after prompting from Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson, and Kara's interest in him became a recurring joke in the season. He is an accomplished guitarist and demonstrated his skill with his Hollywood round performance of Ray Charles's "I Don't Need No Doctor" and Top 20 performance of Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Want to Be." He had never previously watched the show before he auditioned. He was eliminated as a third place finisher on May 19, 2010. He was signed to Sony Music Nashville after the show.

• Michael Lynche (born May 31, 1983, 26 years at the time of the show) is from St. Petersburg, Florida auditioned in Orlando, Florida with Todd Duncan' "Unchained Melody". He worked as personal trainer prior to Idol. His is married and his daughter was born during Hollywood round, and the unfolding drama of his wife's labor was heavily featured during the Hollywood round where he performed John Mayer's "Waiting on the World to Change". He was saved by the judges when he became the lowest vote-getter on April 7, 2010, but finally he was eliminated at fourth place on May 12, 2010.

• Aaron Kelly (born April 2, 1993 in Davenport, Florida, 16 years old at the start of the show) is from Sonestown, Pennsylvania and auditioned in Orlando, Florida as a winner from American Idol Experience at Disney's Hollywood Studios. His audition song was Miley Cyrus's "The Climb", and performed Sarah McLachlan's "Angel" during the Hollywood rounds but forgot his words. He was adopted by his aunt and uncle at 5. He had performed from a young age, and was a finalist on PAX-TV's America's Most Talented Kid at the age of 11. He was in 2010 the youngest American Idol contestant to reach Top 12. He was eliminated at fifth place on May 5, 2010.

• Siobhan Magnus (born March 15, 1990 in Barnstable, Massachusetts, 19 years at the start of the show) is from Cape Cod, Massachusetts and auditioned in Boston, Massachusetts with Queen's "Love of My Life". Before Idol she performed as the lead vocalist of her band, Lunar Valve, and she worked as a glassblower in Hyannis, Massachusetts. She performed Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City" in the Hollywood rounds. She was noted in the show for her ability to sustain a long high-pitched note. She was eliminated as sixth-placed finisher on April 28, 2010.

• Tim Urban (born May 1, 1989 in Tacoma, Washington, 20 years at the time of the show) is from Duncanville, Texas and auditioned in Dallas, Texas with Matt Nathanson's Bulletproof Week. He performed David Cook's Come Back To Me during the Hollywood round. He did not qualify initially for the semi-finals but was chosen as a replacement for Chris Golightly who was disqualified for having a prior record deal. He finished at seventh place after being voted off on April 21, 2010.

• Katie Stevens (born December 8, 1992 in Southbury, Connecticut, 17 years at the time of the show) is from Middlebury, Connecticut auditioned in Boston, Massachusetts with Glenn Miller's At Last. She looked after her Portuguese grandmother who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, and she is fluent in Portuguese. She performed Jean DuShon's "For Once in My Life" in the Hollywood rounds where Kara DioGuardi considered her a possible season's winner. She finished eighth and exited the competition on April 14, 2010 on a double elimination due to judges's save being used the previous week.

• Andrew Garcia (born October 8, 1985 in Moreno Valley, California, 24 years at the time of the show) auditioned in Los Angeles with Maroon 5's "Sunday Morning." He had a good sized following on YouTube prior to auditioning on Idol. He impressed the judges with his performance of Paula Abdul's "Straight Up" during the Hollywood rounds, but failed to interest the judges in the later rounds. He was eliminated as joint eighth-place finishers together with Katie Stevens on April 14, 2010.

• Didi Benami (born October 25, 1986 in New York, 23 years at the time of the show) is from Knoxville, Tennessee and currently resides in Hollywood. She auditioned in Los Angeles, California with The Beatles' "Hey Jude." She was inspired to audition by her best friend who died in a traffic accident. She was notable during the Hollywood rounds for her performance of Kara DioGuardi-penned Katharine McPhee's song "Terrified." She finished tenth after being eliminated on March 31, 2010.

• Paige Miles (born September 26, 1985, 24 years at the time of the show) is from Naples, Florida and auditioned in Dallas, Texas. She was eliminated in eleventh place on March 24, 2010. She performed Stevie Wonder's "Living for the City" in the Hollywood rounds which she considered her favorite moment prior the semi-final. Simon Cowell considered her to have the best voice amongst the girls.

• Lacey Brown (born August 13, 1985, 24 years at the time of the show) is from Amarillo, Texas and auditioned in Orlando, Florida with Judy Garland's Over the Rainbow. She had previously made it to the Hollywood round in season eight of American Idol but lost out to Megan Joy at Top 50. Ryan Seacrest noted that her chilling performance of What a Wonderful World by Louie Armstrong had a major part in her advancing into the Top 24. She was the first finalist to be voted off on March 17, 2010.

Finals

As in season 8, the judges were given one save that they could use before the top 5 week. They used the save for Michael Lynche during top 9 week.

Top 12 - The Rolling Stones

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist when applicable)	Result
1	Michael Lynche	"Miss You"	Safe
2	Didi Benami	"Play with Fire"	Safe
3	Casey James	"It's All Over Now" (The Valentinos)	Safe
4	Lacey Brown	"Ruby Tuesday"	Eliminated
5	Andrew Garcia	"Gimme Shelter"	Safe
6	Katie Stevens	"Wild Horses"	Safe
7	Tim Urban	"Under My Thumb"	Bottom 3
8	Siobhan Magnus	"Paint It, Black"	Safe
9	Lee DeWyze	"Beast of Burden"	Safe
10	Paige Miles	"Honky Tonk Women"	Bottom 3
11	Aaron Kelly	"Angie"	Safe
12	Crystal Bowersox	"You Can't Always Get What You Want"	Safe

Top 11 - Billboard Number 1 Hits

Mentor: Miley Cyrus

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Lee DeWyze	"The Letter" (The Box Tops)	Safe
2	Paige Miles	"Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" (Phil Collins)	Eliminated
3	Tim Urban	"Crazy Little Thing Called Love" (Queen)	Bottom 3
4	Aaron Kelly	"I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" (Aerosmith)	Safe
5	Crystal Bowersox	"Me and Bobby McGee" (Roger Miller)	Safe
6	Michael Lynche	"When a Man Loves a Woman" (Percy Sledge)	Safe
7	Andrew Garcia	"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" (Marvin Gaye)	Safe
8	Katie Stevens	"Big Girls Don't Cry" (Fergie)	Bottom 3
9	Casey James	"The Power of Love" (Huey Lewis and the News)	Safe
10	Didi Benami	"You're No Good" (Betty Everett)	Safe
11	Siobhan Magnus	"Superstition" (Stevie Wonder)	Safe

Top 10 - R&B/Soul

Mentor: Usher

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Siobhan Magnus	"Through the Fire" (Chaka Khan)	Safe
2	Casey James	"Hold On, I'm A Comin'" (Sam & Dave)	Safe
3	Michael Lynche	"Ready for Love" (India.Arie)	Safe
4	Didi Benami	"What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" (Jimmy Ruffin)	Eliminated
5	Tim Urban	"Sweet Love" (Anita Baker)	Bottom 3
6	Andrew Garcia	"Forever" (Chris Brown)	Safe
7	Katie Stevens	"Chain of Fools" (Aretha Franklin)	Bottom 3
8	Lee DeWyze	"Treat Her Like a Lady" (Cornelius Brothers & Sister Rose)	Safe
9	Crystal Bowersox	"Midnight Train to Georgia" (Cissy Houston)	Safe
10	Aaron Kelly	"Ain't No Sunshine" (Bill Withers)	Safe

Top 9 (first week) - Lennon-McCartney Songbook

Mentor: N/A

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist when applicable)	Result
1	Aaron Kelly	"The Long and Winding Road"	Bottom 3
2	Katie Stevens	"Let It Be"	Safe
3	Andrew Garcia	"Can't Buy Me Love"	Bottom 3
4	Michael Lynche	"Eleanor Rigby"	Saved
5	Crystal Bowersox	"Come Together"	Safe
6	Tim Urban	"All My Loving"	Safe
7	Casey James	"Jealous Guy" (John Lennon)	Safe
8	Siobhan Magnus	"Across the Universe"	Safe
9	Lee DeWyze	"Hey Jude"	Safe

Top 9 (second week) - Elvis Presley

Mentor: Adam Lambert

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist when applicable)	Result
1	Crystal Bowersox	"Saved" (LaVern Baker)	Safe
2	Andrew Garcia	"Hound Dog" (Big Mama Thornton)	Eliminated
3	Tim Urban	"Can't Help Falling in Love"	Safe
4	Lee DeWyze	"A Little Less Conversation"	Safe
5	Aaron Kelly	"Blue Suede Shoes" (Carl Perkins)	Safe
6	Siobhan Magnus	"Suspicious Minds" (Mark James)	Safe
7	Michael Lynche	"In the Ghetto"	Safe
8	Katie Stevens	"Baby What You Want Me to Do" (Jimmy Reed)	Eliminated
9	Casey James	"Lawdy Miss Clawdy" (Lloyd Price)	Safe

Top 7 - Inspirational Songs

Mentor: Alicia Keys

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Casey James	"Don't Stop" (Fleetwood Mac)	Bottom 3
2	Lee DeWyze	"The Boxer" (Simon & Garfunkel)	Safe
3	Tim Urban	"Better Days" (Goo Goo Dolls)	Eliminated
4	Aaron Kelly	"I Believe I Can Fly" (R. Kelly)	Bottom 3
5	Siobhan Magnus	"When You Believe" (Mariah Carey & Whitney Houston)	Safe
6	Michael Lynche	"Hero" (Chad Kroeger feat. Josey Scott)	Safe
7	Crystal Bowersox	"People Get Ready" (The Impressions)	Safe

Top 6 - Shania Twain

Mentor: Shania Twain

Order	Contestant	Song	Result
1	Lee DeWyze	"You're Still the One"	Safe
2	Michael Lynche	"It Only Hurts When I'm Breathing"	Bottom 3
3	Casey James	"Don't!"	Bottom 3
4	Crystal Bowersox	"No One Needs to Know"	Safe
5	Aaron Kelly	"You've Got a Way"	Safe
6	Siobhan Magnus	"Any Man of Mine"	Eliminated

Top 5 - Frank Sinatra

Mentor: Harry Connick, Jr.

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Aaron Kelly	"Fly Me to the Moon" (Kaye Ballard)	Eliminated
2	Casey James	"Blue Skies" (Belle Baker)	Safe
3	Crystal Bowersox	"Summer Wind" (Wayne Newton)	Safe
4	Michael Lynche	"The Way You Look Tonight" (Fred Astaire)	Bottom 2
5	Lee DeWyze	"That's Life" (Frank Sinatra)	Safe

Top 4 - Songs of the Cinema

Mentor: Jamie Foxx

Each contestant sang one solo and one duet with a fellow contestant.

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Featured Film	Result
1	Lee DeWyze	"Kiss from a Rose" (Seal)	Batman Forever	Safe
2	Michael Lynche	"Will You Be There" (Michael Jackson)	Free Willy	Eliminated
3	Crystal Bowersox & Lee DeWyze	"Falling Slowly" (Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová)	Once	N/A
4	Casey James	"Mrs. Robinson" (Simon & Garfunkel)	The Graduate	Safe
5	Crystal Bowersox	"I'm Alright" (Kenny Loggins)	Caddyshack	Safe
6	Casey James & Michael Lynche	"Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?" (Bryan Adams)	Don Juan DeMarco	N/A

Top 3 - Contestant's choice & Judges' choice

Each contestant sang two songs.

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist) " Judge(s)	Result
1	Casey James	"OK, It's Alright with Me" (Eric Hutchinson)	Eliminated
2	Crystal Bowersox	"Come to My Window" (Melissa Etheridge)	Safe
3	Lee DeWyze	"Simple Man" (Lynyrd Skynyrd)	Safe
4	Casey James	"Daughters" (John Mayer) " Randy Jackson & Kara DioGuardi	Eliminated
5	Crystal Bowersox	"Maybe I'm Amazed" (Paul McCartney) " Ellen DeGeneres	Safe
6	Lee DeWyze	"Hallelujah" (Leonard Cohen) " Simon Cowell	Safe

Finale - Contestant's choice, Simon Fuller's choice & winner's single

Each contestant sang three songs.

Order	Contestant	Song (original artist)	Result
1	Lee DeWyze	"The Boxer" (Simon & Garfunkel)	Winner
2	Crystal Bowersox	"Me and Bobby McGee" (Roger Miller)	Runner-Up
3	Lee DeWyze	"Everybody Hurts" (R.E.M.)	Winner
4	Crystal Bowersox	"Black Velvet" (Alannah Myles)	Runner-Up
5	Lee DeWyze	"Beautiful Day" (U2)	Winner
6	Crystal Bowersox	"Up to the Mountain (MLK Song)" (Solomon Burke)	Runner-Up

Elimination chart

Legend

Female

Male

Top 24

Top 12

Winner

Safe

Safe First

Safe Last

Eliminated

Stage:		Semi Finals			Finals
Week:		2/25	3/4	3/11	3/17	3/24	3/31	4/7	4/14	4/21	4/28	5/5	5/12	5/19	5/26
Place	Contestant	Result
1	Lee DeWyze														Winner
2	'
3	Casey James													Elim
4	Michael Lynche							Saved			Bottom 3		Elim
5	Aaron Kelly									Bottom 3		Elim
6	Siobhan Magnus										Elim
7	Tim Urban									Elim
8-9	Katie Stevens					Bottom 3	Bottom 3		Elim
	Andrew Garcia							Bottom 3
10	Didi Benami						Elim
11	Paige Miles				Bottom 3	Elim
12	Lacey Brown				Elim
13-16	Lilly Scott			Elim
	Alex Lambert
	Todrick Hall
	Katelyn Epperly
17-20	Haeley Vaughn		Elim
	Michelle Delamor
	Jermaine Sellers
	John Park
	Tyler Grady	Elim
	Ashley Rodriguez
	Joe Muñoz
	Janell Wheeler

Results night performances

Group songs

• Top 24: "American Boy" by Estelle
• Top 20: "I Gotta Feeling" by The Black Eyed Peas
• Top 16: "Haven't Met You Yet" by Michael Bublé
• Top 12: None
• Top 11: "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go" by Wham!
• Top 10: None
• Top 9 (Part 1): Lennon-McCartney medley ("Here, There and Everywhere" / "Got to Get You into My Life" / "The Fool on the Hill" / "All You Need Is Love" / "She Loves You" / "The End" by The Beatles)
• Top 9 (Part 2): Elvis Presley medley ("Teddy Bear" / "Burning Love" / "Return to Sender" / "Viva Las Vegas" by Elvis Presley)
• Top 7: "Keeping the Dream Alive" (The song was performed in part of Idol Gives Back by the Top 12)
• Top 6: None
• Top 5:
  • Frank Sinatra medley ("The Lady Is a Tramp" / "It Was a Very Good Year" / "I've Got the World on a String" / "Night and Day" by Frank Sinatra)
  • Harry Connick, Jr. medley ("We Are in Love" / "Come by Me" / "Hear Me in the Harmony" by Harry Connick, Jr.)
• Top 4: None
• Top 3: None
• Finale:
  • Top 12 feat. Alice Cooper: "School's Out" by Alice Cooper
  • Siobhan Magnus and Aaron Kelly feat. Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb: "How Deep Is Your Love" by Bee Gees
  • Michael Lynche feat. Michael McDonald: "Takin' It to the Streets" by The Doobie Brothers
  • Top 6 Girls feat. Christina Aguilera: "Beautiful" / "Fighter"
  • Top 6 Boys feat. Daryl Hall and John Oates: "I Can't Go for That (No Can Do)", "Maneater", "You Make My Dreams" by Hall & Oates
  • Crystal Bowersox feat. Alanis Morissette: "Ironic" / "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette
  • Casey James feat. Bret Michaels: "Every Rose Has Its Thorn" by Poison
  • Lee DeWyze feat. Chicago: "Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?", "If You Leave Me Now" and "25 or 6 to 4" by Chicago
  • Top 12 feat. Janet Jackson: "Again," "Nothing," and "Nasty" by Janet Jackson
  • Lee DeWyze and Crystal Bowersox feat. Joe Cocker: "With a Little Help from My Friends" by The Beatles

Results show performances

Week	Performer(s)	Title	Hot 100 Reaction	Hot Digital Songs Reaction	Performance Type
Top 24	Allison Iraheta	"Scars"	failed to chart	"	live
	Kris Allen	"Let It Be"	63 (debut)	"	live
Top 20	Danny Gokey	"My Best Days Are Ahead of Me"	82 (debut)	63 (debut)	live
Top 16	Matt Giraud and Scott MacIntyre	"Tell Her About It"	no release	N/A	live
Top 12	David Cook	"Jumpin' Jack Flash"	failed to chart	"	live
	Orianthi	"According to You"	19(?1)	23(+9)	live
	Kesha feat. 3OH!3	"Blah Blah Blah"	15(+1)	10(?1)	pre-recorded
Top 11	Miley Cyrus	"When I Look at You"	25(+33)	12(+19)	live
	Joe Jonas and Demi Lovato	"Make a Wave"	fell off chart	"	live
Top 10	Ruben Studdard	"Don't Make 'Em Like U No More"	failed to chart	"	live
	Usher and will.i.am	"OMG"	14 (debut)	7 (debut)	pre-recorded
	Diddy-Dirty Money	"Hello Good Morning"	34 (debut)	17 (debut)	live
Top 9 (Week 1)	Jason Derülo	"In My Head" ("Whatcha Say" intro)	5(+4)	6(+5)	live
	David Archuleta	"Imagine"	no release	N/A	live
	Rihanna with Nuno Bettencourt	"Rockstar 101"	failed to chart	failed to chart	pre-recorded
Top 9	Brooke White and Justin Gaston (from If I Can Dream)	"If I Can Dream"	failed to chart	failed to chart	live
	Adam Lambert	"Whataya Want from Me"	10(+13)	8(+21)	live
Top 7	Alicia Keys	"Un-Thinkable (I'm Ready)" "Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down"	58(+25)	"	live
	The Black Eyed Peas	"Rock That Body"	unreleased	"	live
	Carrie Underwood	"Change"	68(debut)	51,000 (+ 2001%)	live
	Elton John	"Your Song"	no release	"	live
	Mary J. Blige (feat. Randy Jackson, Orianthi, Travis Barker, Steve Vai and others)	"Stairway to Heaven"	no release	"	live
Top 6	Rascal Flatts	"Unstoppable"	60(+6)	"	live
	Sons of Sylvia	"Love Left to Lose"	101 (debut)	"	pre-recorded
	Lady Antebellum	"Need You Now"	5(?1)	9(?1)	pre-recorded
	Shakira & Rascal Flatts	"Gypsy"	65 (debut)	48 (debut)	live
Top 5	Lady Gaga	"Alejandro" ("Bad Romance" intro)	11(+5)	9(+4)	pre-recorded
	Harry Connick, Jr.	"And I Love Her"	no release	"	live
Top 4	Fantasia	"Bittersweet"	failed to chart	"	live
	Daughtry	"September"	failed to chart	"	live
	Bon Jovi	"Superman Tonight"	failed to chart	"	live
Top 3	Travis Garland	"Believe"	failed to chart	"	live
	Justin Bieber	"U Smile" / "Baby"	38(no change)	24(+3)	pre-recorded
Finale	Will Young	"Leave Right Now"	81 (debut)	50 (debut)	live
	Alice Cooper	"School's Out"	ineligible to re-enter	ineligible to re-enter	live performance
	Kris Allen	"The Truth"	failed to chart	failed to chart	live
	Dane Cook	"Simon Said"	no release	no release	live
	Christina Aguilera	"You Lost Me"	no release	no release	live
	Carrie Underwood	"Undo It"	25(+34)	18(+43)	live
	Larry Platt feat. William Hung	"Pants on the Ground"	failed to re-enter	failed to re-enter	live
	American Idols	"Together We Are One"	no release	no release	live
	Janet Jackson	"Again"/"Nothing" / "Nasty"	ineligible to re-enter/ no release	ineligible to re-enter/failed to chart	live
""" denotes no figure was available.

Controversies

Ethnic voting bias

Since season 7, the voting results are seemingly skewed towards Caucasian contestants, and critics believe that it was Caucasian female viewers who vote only for Caucasian male contestants. During top 20 week, all four eliminated contestants were non-Caucasian. Season 9 has the fewest non-Caucasian finalists of any season. This led to criticism of bias in favor of Caucasians.

Chris Golightly

Chris Golightly was originally selected as semi-finalist. According to reports, Chris was disqualified on February 17, 2010, after already being told he was in the top 24, over an old contract. The contract had

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