American Idol Top 36

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

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)
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