Before the season started, producers of Fox’s “American Idol” were telling the press that this would be the most talented season ever. With every contestant being well-qualified to be the American Idol, one would think that this season would go smoothly.

Wrong.

Like every season before it, American Idol 7 has had its share of controversies.

Back in Season 5, Irish songstress Carly Smithson, then Carly Hennessy, auditioned for American Idol. She was quickly granted advancement to the next round of the competition in Hollywood.

Unfortunately for Carly, she was eventually disqualified because she did not have her visa.

This alone does not sound extremely scandalous. However, later it was discovered that Carly was signed to the same record label as American Idol judge Randy Jackson in 2001.

Smithson wasn’t the only contestant with a past in the record industry. Fellow contestants Michael Johns, Winner David Cook, Brooke White, and Kristy Lee Cook have all had record deals.

Other contestants have also been in the public spotlight. David Archuleta was a winner on “Star Search,” another televised talent competition. Syesha Mercado, who made it all the way to the top three, had a preexisting contract with Ford, one of the show’s main sponsors.

Although this may sound controversial, the rules clearly allow participation, despite some past experience. In fact, judge Paula Abdul publicly addressed the contestants’ pasts on a live show by saying “If you haven’t tried to get your name out [in the industry] before, you don’t deserve to be in this competition.”

Despite some of the controversies, the season started off very promising. Within the first few weeks of the competition, there were clear front runners: David Archuleta, Michael Johns, Jason Castro, and Carly Smithson, among others.

Those without talent were quickly left, and America was presented their Top 12.

David Hernandez, who recently had a media scandal around his questionable profession, was the first booted.

Next followed rock and roll nurse Amanda Overmeyer, who the judges dismissed as being “too one-note.” Next eliminated was Chikezie Eze, who failed to connect with the voters.

From the top 9 forward, there were some shocking eliminations. Filipina Ramiele Malubay, the small girl with the big voice left on Dolly Parton week after an upbeat rendition of “Do I Ever Cross Your Mind.” But, no one expected what would happen the next week on Idol Gives Back.

Idol Gives Back is like a typical episode of Idol, except with a huge televised charity. Celebrities and performers all showed up to encourage Americans to donate. Proceeds went to the poor living in the United States and Africa.

On the previous year, there was an announcement that no performer would be eliminated, given to the nature of the theme.

This wasn’t the case this time, and Australian rocker Michael Johns went home. The media was outraged, and voters questioned what really happened. Following his elimination was best-improved Kristy Lee Cook. She left after singing “Forever” by Mariah Carey.

Judge Paula Abdul told her that that song could easily be made into a country hit. The voters didn’t agree, and Cook was sent packing.

The top 6 theme week was of Andrew Lloyd Weber, famous Broadway musical composer. After being complimented for the first time after performing “Jesus Christ Superstar,” the controversial Carly Smithson was eliminated. The judges told America live on television that they voted incorrectly.

The following eliminations were not so shocking, as both performers forgot their lyrics. Brooke Smith, the lovable nanny was eliminated fifth. Jason Castro was eliminated after forgetting the words to “I Shot the Sheriff.”

After being eliminated, Castro seemed almost relieved. Finally, Syesha Mercado was eliminated third. All of the top 3 were talented performers, but Mercado simply didn’t have the fan base that David Archuleta and David Cook had.

The battle between Archuleta and Cook was set. Both had strong fan bases, had never been in the bottom 3, and consistently delivered amazing performances.



Each performer sang three songs on the finale. Archuleta delivered heartwarming performances of “Imagine,” “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me,” and “In This Moment.” Cook, never the balladeer, chose more subdued rock songs.

He sang “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” “This World I Know,” and a fan-written song, “Dream Big.” Both performers did well, but the judges declared that Archuleta “won in a knockout.”

Apparently, the American public felt differently.

On the following night, after over 90 million votes, David Cook was selected as the next American Idol.

But what’s next for the rising stars and our new American Idol?

Over the summer, the top 10 idols travel across the country performing at various cities. David Cook is entitled to a recording contract, which will come out later this fall.

As history has proven with 4th place winner Chris Daughtry, one doesn’t have to win the show to be successful. Many of the other contestants receive record deals as well.

If you are a fan of the show and still haven’t got your Idol fix, you can log onto their website www.americanidol.com.

There you find information about the contestants and an online message board to talk with other fans. You could also go to iTunes, which offers all of the American Idol performances (both audio and video).