I'm just curious to know, who were some of your other AI favorites?

Starting with season 2 (because that's the first season I watched) Ruben, Rickey, Kim Locke, Trenyce, Fantasia, George, Leah Labelle, Jennifer, Camille, LaToya, Nikko, Vonzell, Scott, Bo, Paris, Mandisa, Kevin Covais (I just wanted to pinch his cheeks!), Melinda, Lakisha Jones, Phil Stacey, Chikezie, Syesha, Carly...

of course...E Yamin! :rocker:

Season 1: Tamyra Gray, Kelly Clarkson, and Jim Verraros

Season 2: Kim Locke, Ruben Studdard, and Clay Aiken

Season 3: Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia Barrino, and LaToya London

Season 4: Anwar Robinson, Bo Bice, Vonzell Solomon, and Carrie Underwood

Season 5: Elliott Yamin, Katharine McPhee, and Paris Bennett

Season 6: Melinda Doolittle

Season 7: Carly Smithson, David Cook

I only started watching Season 4.
I loved Anwar, then wen he got booted, I was rooting for Bo(but never voted)
Season 5- I have to admit that Ace was my fave at first...until E sang Moody's Mood. That was the beginning of the end for me.
I barely paid attention to Season 6, because I was still bitter.
Season 7, I liked Cookie...he was about the only one, but again, I didn't pay too much attention.
This season, I like Alexis so far, I guess.
Time will tell

Okay, I'll play! I started watching midway in season 3.

Season 3: Jennifer Hudson, Diana Degarmo

Season 4: Bo, Bo , Bo!

Season 5: Started out intrigued by Taylor because he was different but Elliott had me with If You Really Love Me... I was in the kitchen when he started singing and had to rush back into the den to see who was singing.

Season 6: Melinda (but I was bitter like Chloe)

Season: the Davids

For all the idol watchers since the beginning, who are all the 3rd place finishers? I'm curious.

I only started watching AI during Season 3. I liked La Toya London, JHud, Huff Daddy and Fantasia. Season 4: Anwar Robinson, Bo Bice, Scott Savol, Nadia Turner and Nikko Smith. Season 5: ELLIOTT YAMIN, but I also liked Princess P. and Mandisa Hundley. Season 6: Melinda and Lakisha. Season 7: Cookie, Archie, Syesha, Chikezie.

Oh yea, I forgot about Syesha, I even voted for her a few times

My favorites are usually those that inspire me to be a better singer (or that I'd secretly dream of singing a duet with someday):

1--Tamyra and Kelly
2--Ruben and Trenyce
3--Jennifer and Fantasia
4--Carrie and Vonzell
5--Elliott and Katharine
6--Melinda, LaKisha and Blake
7--David A.

I didn't start watching till the middle of Season 2 or maybe later so...

Season 2- Clay
Season 3- La Toya, George Huff, and Fantasia
Season 4- Anwar Robinson ( I still remember his It's a wonderful world performance- he went home way too soon), Carrie (liked her singing but she was like a robot performance wise)
Season 5- ELLIOTT ( was there anyone else that season?- LOL)
Season 6- Melinda Doolittle
Season 7- David Archuleta, Carly Smithson

Season 8- ?

Watching American Idol rewind I got to see a lot of Season 1. Tamyra was absolutely fantastic but Kelly won my heart when she sang "Stuff Like That There"- absolutely amazing!!!

S1: Nikki McGibbon (sp?)
S2: Kimberly Locke
S3: Jasmine Trias
S4: Vonzell Solomon
S5: Elliott Yamin
S6: Melinda Doolittle
S7: Syesha Mercado

Elliott is the only male 3rd place finisher thus far. Also, 4 of the last 7 third place finishers have been African American women. I can't believe I remember this off the top of my head lol.

Season 1: Kelly C
Season 2: Ruben S, Rickey Smith
Season 3: Fantasia, George Huff
Season 4: Bo, Anwar
Season 5: ELLIOTT!!!!!!, Paris
Season 6: Melinda
Season 7: Jason C, David A., Brooke, Carly

Wow Soul!!! Good memory!!! :) Thanks!

Started watching during Season 3, and it was only off and on, so I didn't really have a favorite (though I was charmed by JPL's goofiness :P)

NOTE: I never have just one favorite!

Season 4: Bo Bice, Carrie Underwood, Anthony Federov
Season 5: Elliott Yamin!! I also really liked Lisa Tucker and Patrick Hall, though.
Season 6: Blake Lewis, Chris Richardson, Jordin Sparks and Phil Stacey.
Season 7: David, David, Jason Castro

I didn't watch Season 1.

Season 2: Clay and Kimberly Locke

Season 3: Fantasia, George Huff, Jennifer Hudson

Season 4: Bo, Vonzell, Anwar Robinson

Season 5: Elliott and Taylor. However, after he released his album, I became a big fan of Bucky's as well.

Season 6: Melinda

Season 7: David Cook, David Archeletta, David Hernandez. Also, since seeing Chekezie live in concert, I can't wait to hear what he does with his CD.

You're welcome. :)

one of my past favorites: season 1 - Kelly Clarkson
(still love her)

I caught part of CSI:NY the other day and could have sworn Kelly was on the show. But it was a look-alike actress, Anna Belknap!

I didn't start watching until Season 4...

S4- Anwar, Bo, Carrie
S5- Elliott, Bucky
S6- Melinda, Lakisha, Jordan
S7- Jason, the Davids
S8- Haven't developed a favorite yet, haven't seen enough of any of the contestants.

For those of you that said you liked Mandisa--e.g., Terri and Nymphadora--I just wanted to remind you (or let you know) that her new album comes out today (3/24). I've heard it and it sounds wonderful...very inspirational and uplifting.

Now that Alexis is gone, I like Adam best. I don't understand the hoopla over Matt...he's good, but no better than some of the others IMO.

well. season 5 was the first time that i actually started watching the show :cheerleaders:
and i thought season 5 was excellent! :awe:
My favouite Elliott! :elliottelliott:
Also, Daughtry, Mandisa, Taylor, and Paris are the contestants that i am also very fond of.
In terms of season 8, i think Danny is great. Matt is also talented,but he was always trying to identify himself :elliottcap:

I haven't religiously watched each season but here are my faves from the seasons I did watch:

Season 1: Kelly and Tamyra Gray
Season 3: John Stevens!! :heartbeat:
Season 4: Carrie, of course
Season 5: Chris Daughtry and Kellie Pickler
Season 6: Melinda and Jordin

John Stevens was totally underrated when he was on. He was 16, though...I mean, come on. He needed time to really develop his voice. He's so much older now and I think people would really like where he's at!! He's got a Christmas album coming out this year, and I'm so excited!!! you should be too!!!

I have watched AI every year, bu was never that into it......... until I fell for Anoop this season.

I usually liked more then one contestant but was not really invested in any of them. Anoop's smooth voice got me. And then I found those Clef Hanger videos on YouTube and I was hooked! I love everything around Anoop - he's intelligent, he went to UNC, he sang with the Clef Hangers, and he seems like such a great guy - humble, funny, dorky. And who doesn't like to say the name "Anoop"?! LOL! I was pissed at the way the judges threw him under the bus EVERY stinkin week. It was painful to watch! The kind of music Anoop does is not conducive to the AI stage and they didn't know what to do with him. If I had not seen those Clef Hanger videos I probably wouldn't be as big of a fan as I am. We didn't get to see "that Anoop" on the show, which is a terrible shame because he is so much better than what he did on the show! I am so looking forward to what he will be doing in the future!

Oh I talked to Elliott about Anoop. E said he met Anoop and he's a great guy. I told E they should tour together. Anoop does R&B also, but I think he'll be putting a little hip hop into his album.

ANOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOP! Woof!