American Idol season 8 premiered on Tuesday, January 13, 2009.Official Site: American Idol Season Premiere Announced (November 6, 2008)

On May 20, 2009, Kris Allen was announced as the winner of American Idol. Eonline: [1] (May 20, 2009)

For the first time in Idol history, a top 13, was featured, rather than a top 12. Also introduced this season was a judges veto. The veto can be used to save any eliminated contestant, but only one time in the whole season and each judge must agree to use it. The judges used their veto power on contestant Matt Giraud on April 15, 2009, paving the way for two contestants to be eliminated he following week. Season 8 of American Idol also features a new addition to the judges table. Kara DioGuardi joined Paula Abdul, Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson.

• Kris Allen - Winner
• Adam Lambert - Eliminated
• Danny Gokey - Eliminated
• Allison Iraheta - Eliminated
• Matt Giraud - Eliminated
• Lil Rounds - Eliminated
• Anoop Desai - Eliminated
• Megan Joy - Eliminated
• Scott MacIntyre - Eliminated
• Michael Sarver - Eliminated

• Top 13: Michael Jackson
• Top 11: Grand Ole Opry
• Top 10: Motown
• Top 9: Popular iTunes Downloads
• Top 8: Year They Were Born
• Top 7: Movie Soundtracks
• Top 7: Disco
• Top 6: Rat Pack Standards
• Top 4: Rock

1. Randy Travis
2. Smokey Robinson
3. Berry Gordy Jr.
4. Quentin Tarantino
5. Jamie Foxx

• San Francisco, CA
• Louisville, KY
• Glendale, AZ
• Salt Lake City, UT
• San Juan, PR
• Kansas City, MO
• Jacksonville, FL
• East Rutherford, NJ

• S1: Kelly Clarkson
• S2: Ruben Studdard
• S3: Fantasia Barrino
• S4: Carrie Underwood
• S5: Taylor Hicks
• S6: Jordin Sparks
• S7: David Cook

• S1: Justin Guarini
• S2: Clay Aiken
• S3: Diana DeGarmo
• S4: Bo Bice
• S5: Katharine McPhee
• S6: Blake Lewis
• S7: David Archuleta