Melinda Doolittle didn't make it to the finale?
Tori Kelly didn't make the top 12?
Jennifer Hudson didn't win the whole thing?!
Keep watching for the surprising American Idol eliminations we still can't get over.
Chris Daughtry was the favorite to win Season 5 of "American Idol" from the early days of
the competition.
It was for that reason that fans were so shocked to see him go after the top 4.
Daughtry found himself in the bottom 2 with Katharine McPhee, who would end up coming
in second that season.
When it was announced that he was going home, fans, judges, and competitors alike were totally
shocked.
After the show, angry voters took to the internet and called in with complaints.
They claimed that when calling in to vote for Daughtry, they were being redirected to
vote for McPhee in some cases.
Fans may have been bummed to see Daughtry go, but his career didn't end that night.
He went on to sell millions of records after his time on the show and even appeared on
"The Masked Singer" as the Rottweiler in 2019.
Michael Johns captured hearts early on in Season 7 of "American Idol."
"Randy, yes or no?"
"100 million percent yes."
"Paula?"
"Yes."
"You're through Michael."
"Welcome to Hollywood baby!"
When he made it to the top 8, fans were already certain he had the competition on lock, but
alas he went home straight out of the top 8 in a shocker following his first time in
the bottom 3.
It seemed his fans were so sure he had it, they didn't bother to vote.
Johns later told Access Hollywood -
"That was a knife twister for sure [...] It was definitely a shock for me.
First time in the bottom three.
I definitely didn't see it coming... hey, it was good television I guess."
Sadly, six years after Johns appeared on "Idol," he died at the age of 35 from an enlarged
heart.
Constantine Maroulis competed in Season 4 of "American Idol," better known as the season
Carrie Underwood took home the title.
Maroulis was one of two contestants who had benefited from the show upping its age limit
to 28.
He was immediately recognized as one of the fan favorites for his charismatic rocker persona.
The judges were perhaps the most shocked at the decision to vote Maroulis out of the top
6.
Judge Paula Abdul was seen crying alongside Maroulis' mother in the audience.
It wasn't the end for Maroulis, however.
Not only did he continue to have a successful career in music, but he also became the first
"American Idol" contestant to be nominated for a Tony in 2009, when he was honored for
his role in "Rock Of Ages".
In Season 1 of "American Idol," the elimination of frontrunner Tamyra Gray was met with a
wave of boos and screams from the audience after Ryan Seacrest announced the surprising
results.
When it came time for the judges to address Gray for the last time, each stated their
dissatisfaction with the night's outcome.
Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson expressed their disappointment.
"You know you're a superstar, you've made an unbelievable step, you're gonna go farther,
farther beyond American Idol."
Even Simon Cowell, known for being incredibly blunt with the contestants, stated that he
firmly believed the public voted wrong, calling the singer, quote, "world class."
Since her elimination, Gray has proved that her talent is nothing to scoff at.
She's gone on to release a debut album and has made numerous television and film appearances.
Nowadays, singer, songwriter, and actor Tori Kelly boasts an impressive entertainment resume.
However, back in 2010, Kelly appeared on Season 9 of "American Idol" as a contestant, singing
John Mayer's "Gravity" in a captivating performance that sent her off to the next round of voting,
impressing all the judges except Simon Cowell.
Despite her obvious talent, Kelly was shockingly eliminated during Hollywood week, being cut
when the Top 24 was turned into the Top 12.
Since then, Kelly has proved that her voice is far from the, quote, "almost annoying"
label that was given to her by Cowell after her audition.
Kelly has made numerous notable accomplishments in the industry.
Her 2015 debut album, "Unbreakable Smile," reached No. 2 on the Billboard 200.
Kelly also won two Grammys, one for "Hiding Place," which earned her Best Gospel Album,
and one for her single "Never Alone," which received the award for Best Gospel Performance/Song.
In a 2018 Glamour article, Kelly stated this about her career -
"I'm so glad I didn't compromise who I am, how I dress, or my beliefs, because now I
get to stand onstage and I literally get to be myself."
He might not have been eliminated from "American Idol" in the traditional sense, but Corey
Clark's leave from the show still took fans by surprise.
After making it to the final nine, Clark was dismissed after Fox learned that he had failed
to share information about a prior arrest and misdemeanor charges of battery and resisting
arrest.
According to MTV News, Fox said -
"The producers and network feel that Corey's behavior warrants his disqualification."
In addition, the site stated at the time, Clark had become well known for choosing to
party instead of rehearsing for the show's semi final audition.
Shockingly, Clark's story became even more bizarre after the singer made allegations
in a 2005 article with MTV News, where he claimed he had a three-month affair with Paula
Abdul.
He also insinuated that Abdul gave him tips to impress fellow judge Jackson.
For her part, Abdul denied the claims.
Later in 2013, The Hollywood Reporter stated that Clark was attempting to sue Fox, E! Entertainment,
MTV News, and Viacom in addition to other lawsuits for defamation regarding comments
made on Clark's disqualification and the alleged fling.
The Hollywood Reporter stated that Clark had lost his lawsuits against MTV News and Viacom
the following year.
In Season 13 of "American Idol," Malaya Watson's elimination caused upset among fans and "Idol"
alumni.
As reported by Parade, Watson was voted out after receiving the lowest number of votes
for her performance of Chaka Khan's "Through the Fire," which received fairly positive
reception from the judges.
Unfortunately for Watson, the "Judges Save" had already been used previously on fellow
contestant Sam Woolf.
Fans weren't the only ones disappointed to see Watson eliminated.
Judge Jennifer Lopez praised Watson's talents, saying -
"As far as God given talent, as far as voices go, she's probably the best here."
Lopez also factored in Watson's age in relation to her work as an artist, saying -
"You need time to learn control, you need time to learn your voice.
She's just learning herself [...] I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot from her in the future."
In Season 6 of "Idol," both fans and the judges were shocked when Ryan Seacrest announced
that Melinda Doolittle would not be moving on to the finale.
The audience responded with shouts, and the camera caught the look of shock on the face
of fellow contestant and future season winner Jordin Sparks.
Ryan Seacrest went on to call Doolittle, quote, "one of our best singers ever," telling the
performer that her future was bright.
Afterward, all the judges went on to praise Doolittle.
A Today article addressing the elimination even referred to her as the "best contestant,"
citing the judges' steady praise of Doolittle's performances and their shock of her elimination
as proof that the singer should have made it to the finale.
"Melida just watching you - I just -I feel what you're - you're just feeling so much
joy and it's exciting I feel I'm one big goosebump."
As predicted, Doolittle has made notable achievements since leaving "Idol."
She went on to release her debut album, "Coming Back to You," in 2009, a follow-up album in
2013, and she has even ventured into voice acting.
In a surprising Season 11 elimination, Colton Dixon ended up with the lowest amount of votes.
Due to the "Judges Save" being used the prior week to save Jessica Sanchez, he had no chance
of redemption and was ultimately sent packing.
The results surprised many viewers, considering Dixon had been considered a frontrunner, and
before that week, had never been in the bottom three.
Still, Dixon responded to the announcement gracefully, claiming that he, quote, "needed
to apologize" for the previous night.
In a follow-up interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Dixon stated that he'd expected
to be in the bottom that week, knowing that he'd, quote, "strayed too far from who I was,"
and acknowledged that he had made a mistake by choosing a Lady Gaga song.
He further explained this opinion, stating that even though he had nothing against Lady
Gaga or the music choice, quote, "it wasn't quite me" before stressing the importance
of choosing the right song for an "Idol" performance.
Despite being a consistent performer and a fan favorite, James Durbin was voted off Season
10 of "Idol" in a shocking elimination that saw the artist finish in fourth place.
After receiving a round of applause, Ryan Seacrest stated that the show was fortunate
to have Durbin and, after his final performance, called him, quote, "the reason why we do this
show."
The camera also showed Jennifer Lopez crying as she gave the rocker a standing ovation.
Durbin said -
"I did so much stuff that's never been done on this show before […] In my eyes, in my
mind and what I believe is that I did what I came here to do, and that was to give metal
a chance."
Since his surprise exit from "Idol," the artist has continued to follow his passion.
Durbin went on to release his debut album, "Memories of a Beautiful Disaster" in 2011.
In a recent interview with Lookout Santa Cruz, Durbin spoke about settling down in his hometown
after living in Nashville from 2017 to 2019 during his time with the band Quiet Riot.
The performer continues to craft new music, with his latest album, "The Beast Awakens,"
expected to release in February.
In Season 9, "American Idol" viewers were shocked when fan-favorite Siobhan Magnus was
eliminated.
While receiving a standing ovation from the audience, Ryan Seacrest said Magnus had, quote,
"an independent spirit, laser focus, incredible work ethic."
After her final performance, Randy Jackson said to Magnus -
"I think that you got an amazing career in front of you."
Later, an MTV News article reflected on Magnus' departure, saying that the results came as
a huge surprise, considering "Idol" critics had expected fellow contestant Michael Lynche
to be the one to go home.
Later, during an interview on KRKZ's "Steve and Janet" show with other "Idol" finalists,
Magnus voiced some previously unmentioned issues she'd had during her time on the show.
First, she stated that her opinion of Simon Cowell differed from the other seasons' contestants,
because she was on Cowell's last season on the series, saying -
"It was so obvious to us that mentally he was already moved on to the next show."
Magnus went on to criticize his behavior and his criticisms of her, saying they were mostly
based on her appearance and not her singing.
Jennifer Hudson's "American Idol" journey was not as promising as the career that followed.
Her killer vocals won many people over during her time on Season 3 of "Idol."
In fact, she was one of three Black women showcasing some serious promise, the other
two being LaToya London and Fantasia Barrino [fan-TAY-zyuh bar-REE-no].
"The Three Divas" shocked many by ending up in the bottom three during one round.
Of the three women, Hudson was the first sent home.
Elton John, the week's guest judge, was a big fan of Hudson's from the start.
He later slammed how the result show played out, telling Entertainment Tonight -
"The three people I was really impressed with, and they just happened to be Black, young
female singers, and they all seem to be landing in the bottom three.
They have great voices.
The fact that they're constantly in the bottom three — and I don't want to set myself up
here — but I find it incredibly racist."
Hudson's career didn't suffer for the loss.
She still signed a deal with Arista Records.
Two years later, she would steal the show and earn a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for
her role as Effie White in "Dreamgirls".
She's also released countless amazing songs, winning two Grammys in the process.
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