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• The Top 36 contestants for American Idol season 8 were revealed on February 11, 2009. On January 29, 2009, VoteForTheWorst.com released a list of the contestants they believe will be among the Top 36.VoteForTheWorst: American Idol Top 36 (January 29, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Air date: February 11, 2009 at 8 p.m. ET
  2. Network: FOX
  3. Season premiere: January 13, 2009
  4. Host: Ryan Seacrest
  5. Returning judges: Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson
  6. New judge: Kara DioGuardi joined this season as the fourth judge on the panel

• Top 36

  • Adam Lambert: Appeared in the LA production of WickedNY Post: Idol Surprise (February 2, 2009)
  • Alexander Wagner-Trugman: A long-time closet singer, literally
  • Alexis Grace: A single mother from Memphis
  • Allison Iraheta: Won Quinceanera, Telemundo singing competition, which earned her a recording contract and $50,000 at age 14
  • Anne Marie Boskovich: Won her first singing prize singing Karaoke as a child in California
  • Anoop Desai: A University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill student
  • Arianna Ayesha Afsar: Competed in the junior teen Miss America competition
  • Brent Keith Smith: Came in 6th place on Nashville Star in 2004NY Post: Idol Surprise (February 2, 2009)
  • Casey Carlson: Although she posed for Campus Girls USA in a bikini, she should not be confused with Bikini Girl
  • Danny Gokey: A music teacher from Wisconsin
  • Jackie Tohn: an actress who appeared on the television show The NannyNY Post: Idol Surprise (February 2, 2009)
  • Jasmine Murray: A student at the Mississippi School of Arts
  • Jeanine Vailes: A former church choir member from CaliforniaLA Times: Meet Jeanine Vailes (Februrary 9, 2009)
  • Jessica Langseth: Younger sister of Grammy-winner Jonny LangNY Post: Idol Surprise (February 2, 2009)
  • Joanna Pacitti: One of USA Today's Top 12 Idol singers to watchUSA Today: 12 Singers Stand Out (February 3, 2009) - DISQUALIFIED
  • Felicia Barton - replaced Joanna Pacitti
  • Jorge Nunez Mendez: Sang in both English and Spanish during his audition
  • Junot Joyner: A young father from Maryland
  • Kai Kalama: Juggles caring for his ill mother with performing in a band with his brother
  • Kendall Beard: A Texas-native who has performed at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo and the Johnny High Country Music Review
  • Kristen McNamara: Another formerNashville Star contestant who also finished in 6th placeNY Post: Idol Surprise (February 2, 2009)
  • Kris Allen: A singer/songwriter from Arkansas whose brother also auditioned but didn't make the cut
  • Lil Rounds: A Memphis mother of three
  • Matt Breitzke: A welder originally from Oklahoma
  • Matt Giraud: A self-described "dueling piano player" from Michigan
  • Megan Corkrey: A single mother from Utah
  • Michael Sarver: Described as a "roughneck" by the judges he is an oilfield worker
  • Mishavonna Henson: Appeared in the Emma Roberts Nickelodeon's series UnfabulousNY Post: Idol Surprise (February 2, 2009)
  • Nathaniel Marshall: Regarding AI, ""I want this more than anything. It’s under my skin and it bursts out when I'm on stage."LA Times: Hurray for Hollywood Week (February 3, 2009)
  • Nick Mitchell: Would break out in song in the middle of class at Brookfield High SchoolNewsTimes: Brookfield's Nick Mitchell (February 7, 2009)
  • Ricky Braddy: A singer/songwriter from North CarolinaDaily Advance: Local Rumored to be AI Contestant (January 12, 2009)
  • Scott MacIntyre: Has been blind since birth and has a master's degree from the Royal College of MusicNY Post: Idol Surprise (February 2, 2009)
  • Stephen Fowler: An Ohio native who enjoys gospel and soul musicLA Times: American Idol Tracker (February 7, 2009)
  • Stevie Wright: Named after Stevie Nicks (Fleetwood Mac)
  • Taylor Vaifanua: Has released a collection of religious hymns and songs
  • Tatiana Del Toro: Received mixed reviews from the judges but the all agreed she had "something"
  • Von Smith: Appeared on The View after the viral success of his YouTube singing videos

  
  

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  American Idol Season 9 | How to Bet on American Idol | American Idol Season 9 Spoilers | American Idol Exit Song

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