Paula Julie Abdul is an American singer, dancer, choreographer, actress, and television personality. She began her career as a cheerleader for the Los Angeles Lakers at the age of 18 and later became the head choreographer for the Laker Girls, where she was discovered by The Jacksons. After choreographing music videos for Janet Jackson, Abdul became a choreographer at the height of the music video era and soon thereafter she was signed to Virgin Records. Her debut studio album Forever Your Girl (1988) became one of the most successful debut albums at that time, selling seven million copies in the United States and setting a record for the most number-one singles from a debut album on the Billboard Hot 100 chart: "Straight Up", "Forever Your Girl", "Cold Hearted", and "Opposites Attract". Her second album Spellbound (1991) scored her two more Billboard Hot 100 chart toppers: "Rush Rush" and "The Promise of a New Day". Her six number-one singles on the Billboard Hot 100 tie her with Ariana Grande and Diana Ross for seventh among the female solo performers who have topped the chart.
Aretha Louise Franklin was an American singer, songwriter and pianist. Referred to as the "Queen of Soul", she has twice been placed ninth in Rolling Stone's "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". With global sales of over 75 million records, Franklin is one of the world's best-selling music artists.
Kelly Brianne, known professionally as Kelly Clarkson, is an American singer, songwriter, author and television personality. She rose to fame after winning the first season of American Idol in 2002, which earned her a record deal with RCA. Her debut single, "A Moment Like This", topped the US Billboard Hot 100, and became the country's best selling single of 2002. It was included on her debut studio album, Thankful (2003), which debuted atop the Billboard 200. Trying to reinvent her image, Clarkson parted ways with Idol management and shifted to pop rock for her second studio album, Breakaway (2004). Supported by four US top-ten singles – the title track, "Since U Been Gone", "Behind These Hazel Eyes", and "Because of You" – Breakaway sold over 12 million copies worldwide and won two Grammy Awards.
Idols is a television show on the South African television network Mzansi Magic, and previously on M-Net, based on the popular British show Pop Idol. The show is a contest to determine the best young singer in South Africa.
Fantasia Monique Barrino-Taylor, known professionally by her mononym Fantasia, is an American R&B singer and actress. She rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the reality television series American Idol in 2004. Following her victory, she released her debut single, "I Believe", which debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. Subsequently, she released her debut album, Free Yourself, which went on to be certified Platinum by the RIAA and earned Barrino three Grammy nominations in 2006.
Jennifer Kate Hudson, also known by her nickname J.Hud, is an American singer-songwriter, actress, talk show host, and producer. Throughout her career, she has received various accolades for her works in recorded music, film, television, and theater. Hudson became the youngest woman and second African-American woman to receive all four of the major American entertainment awards: Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony (EGOT). She also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2013. Time named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world in 2020.
Jordin Sparks-Thomas is an American singer and actress. She rose to fame in 2007 after winning the sixth season of American Idol at age 17, becoming the youngest winner in the series' history. Her self-titled debut studio album, released later that year, was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and has sold over two million copies worldwide. The album spawned the Billboard Hot 100 top-ten singles "Tattoo" and "No Air"; the latter, a collaboration with Chris Brown, is currently the third highest-selling single by any American Idol contestant, selling over three million digital copies in the United States. The song earned Sparks her first Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals.
The third season of American Idol premiered on Monday, January 19, 2004, and continued until May 26, 2004. The third season was won by Fantasia Barrino, who defeated Diana DeGarmo by an approximate margin of 2% ; the vote total was the highest recorded vote total in the show's history until the May 23, 2007, finale of the sixth season. This season also featured future EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson, who finished seventh in the competition. This was the last season to be aired in standard definition, with the only exception being the grand finale.
The first season of American Idol premiered on June 11, 2002 and continued until September 4, 2002. It was won by Kelly Clarkson. The first season was co-hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dunkleman, the latter of whom left the show after the season ended.
Forever and a Day is the debut album of Idols winner Karin Kortje.
Roxane "Roxy" LeBrasse is an Australian singer who was placed ninth place on the third season of Australian Idol. In 2009, Lebrasse reached number 91 on the ARIA Singles Chart with "Sexy".
Syesha Raquel Mercado is an American singer-songwriter, actress, and model. Mercado was the third-place finalist on the seventh season of American Idol. Prior to Idol, Mercado was on The One: Making a Music Star and she won Florida Super Singer. Her musical influences are Whitney Houston, Etta James, Alicia Keys, Zap Mama, Lauryn Hill, and Aretha Franklin.
The fifth season of Australian Idol premiered on 5 August 2007 on Network Ten. It concluded on 25 November.
The third season of Australian Idol debuted on 26 July 2005. The first of three semi-finals was held on 16 August 2005 with three of the Top 12 contenders announced the following night on 17 August 2005. 2Day FM radio host Kyle Sandilands replaced former judge Ian Dickson.
The second season of Australian Idol debuted on 13 July 2004. Over 50,000 people throughout Australia auditioned.
The American Idols Live! Tour 2002 was a fall concert tour featuring the top ten contestants of the inaugural season of American Idol, which aired earlier that year. The tour visited 30 cities across the United States starting October 8, 2002 in San Diego, and became the template for concerts tours following each of the succeeding American Idol seasons. Select performances of Clarkson are also released in the Miss Independent DVD album in 2003.
Idols South Africa III was the third season of South African reality interactive talent show based on the British talent show Pop Idol. It was running from August to November 2005. All four judges returned for another season. After one season Letoya Makhene left the show making Colin Moss the solo host, similar to Ryan Seacrest on American Idol. For the first time the semifinal groups where divided into genders. As there were only six males who made it to the top 24, only one group was male though. This resulted in a top 12 with only two males for a second year in a row. There was no wildcard show held. Instead the judges each chose one contestant who was not voted in the top 12 directly in the group phase. Viewer outrage ensued following the elimination of Nhlanhla Mwelse after it was revealed that the 4 judges had a 49% leverage to the total weekly votes & that this happened since the start of the semi finals. Before the series started, it was portrayed that the viewers would account for 100% of the total vote this year compared to the judges' 40% in season 1 & 2. Karin Kortje, a young mother from Grabouw, Cape Town wowed the audience and judges with her big voice and won the final against Gift Gwe with 62.58% and was also leading throughout the competition by a landside. However Kortje was not so lucky in her personal life after the contest ended as her boyfriend was charged of robbery and murder just months after the show. In difference to the other finalists of her season, Kortje was not invited to take part of the final of the next season.
Dalen Lance Jooste(Pronounced "Day-lyn") is a South African television host based in Johannesburg, South Africa. He was the host of the reality TV dance competition Step Up or Step Out for two seasons and a host of the early-morning TV show Dagbreek on DSTV's Kyknet channel. Lance has also performed as a presenter on television shows such as High School Musical, Spotlight South Africa, 20-Something, Pap Idols, and Bling. He released his debut album in 2006, titled Be Your Man, along with a single of the same name. He completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Financial Accounting at the University of Cape Town in 2004 and a Master of Business Leadership degree in 2014 through the University of South Africa (Unisa) Graduate School of Business Leadership.
Cosima De Vito, also known as Cosima, is an Australian pop and R&B singer-songwriter. Born and raised in Perth, Western Australia, she is best known for her cover of the classic Australian hit "When the War Is Over" (2004) which reached No. 1 on the ARIA Singles Chart. Her passion and love for the music industry stemmed from her influential grandfather, who was a gifted Italian tenor. From a young age, Cosima has performed, winning her first talent quest at the young age of 9. In 2003 Cosima appeared on the first season of Australian Idol. After reaching the semi-finals, Cosima had to withdraw from the series due to throat nodules.
Paxton Fielies, better known mononymously as Paxton, is a South African singer, songwriter and philanthropist. She rose to fame in 2017, after winning the 13th season of Idols South Africa. She is the youngest South African female to win the title.
