American Idol Top 36

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)

• 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