THE BEST OF AMERICAN IDOL FAREWELL TO TV’S GREATEST TALENT SEARCH “Becoming famous at 19 . . . that’s ridiculous,” Kelly Clarkson told People. Contents Cover Title Page FOREWORD: ‘IDOL HAS OPENED SO MANY DOORS’ Ryan Seacrest shares personal memories SEASON ONE Cocktail waitress Kelly Clarkson becomes a singing sensation SEASON TWO Ruben Studdard, the big man from Birmingham, charms all ‘WE KNEW WHAT IT TAKES TO MAKE A STAR’ Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul reveal their judging secrets SEASON THREE Teenager Fantasia Barrino wows the Queen of Soul SEASON FOUR Carrie Underwood becomes Idol’s biggest success story CARRIE UNDERWOOD TALKS The star tells People how she adjusted to life after Idol SEASON FIVE Taylor Hicks makes the most of his “old-style flavor” SEASON SIX The winning voice of 16-year-old Jordin Sparks conquers all IDOL GIVES BACK Raising millions for charities SEASON SEVEN Simon calls David Cook “amazing” SEASON EIGHT Kris Allen captivates fans with a heartfelt approach VISITING STARS Rihanna, Gaga and—yes!— the Hoff drop by SEASON NINE High school dropout Lee DeWyze finds redemption in song SEASON TEN Scotty McCreery works his boyish looks and manly voice SEASON ELEVEN Kidney stones can’t stop Phillip Phillips from singing SEASON TWELVE After auditioning a third time, Candice Glover wins big SEASON THIRTEEN Caleb Johnson’s rough edges break the Idol mold SEASON FOURTEEN “Hot guy” Nick Fradiani catches fire with the judges THEY HATE TO JUDGE, BUT... Harry Connick Jr., Keith Urban and Jennifer Lopez go behind the scenes with People IDOL MOGUL Simon Fuller reveals secrets of his star-making machine SEASON FIFTEEN That’s all, folks. The final shows Credit Copyright TRIO WITH BRIO Idol’s initial panel of judges set the tone for 15 seasons of spirited discussions about fame and talent. RYAN SEACREST LOOKS BACK . . . “Idol Has Opened So Many Doors” REMEMBERING 15 SEASONS OF MUSICAL MAGIC THAT TOUCHED A NATION’S HEART by RYAN SEACREST “IT HAS BEEN AN INCREDIBLE RIDE” Life without American Idol? I can’t imagine it. From the moment I first walked out onstage 14 years ago with my frosted tips, I was terrified. I had somehow gotten through the audition and persuaded Mike Darnell, Nigel Lythgoe and Ken Warwick to take a chance on me, because I’d never hosted a live prime-time show. I just wanted to walk out, do the show well, have the audience feel comfortable, try to support the contestants and figure out a way to get under Simon’s skin, of course. I mean, those were the things that I wanted to do. The first season was incredibly special—there was a magic about it—maybe because we didn’t know what we were doing. The chemistry and chaos between Simon, Randy and Paula was undeniable. There was no script, and we all just sort of winged it. The culmination of all these ingredients was lightning in a bottle. We soon found success, and American Idol became a powerful platform for undiscovered, incredibly talented singers from around the country who otherwise might not have had a chance. Our live shows have an energy you can feel, and because we are live, truly anything can happen. When the stage manager would say, “3-2-1,” we were live, and there was no safety net. I love that rush. American Idol makes superstars. The show takes singers on an incredible ride, and viewers get to watch them transform week after week. The contestants have access to some of the best music producers, choreographers and musicians in the business, who help support them through the competition. Kelly Clarkson was a waitress from Texas, Carrie Underwood had never been on an airplane before, Fantasia was a financially struggling single mom. These are real stories of contestants whose lives were changed forever. Idol has opened so many doors, and contestants don’t have to win in order to succeed after the show. Look at Chris Daughtry, Jennifer Hudson, Clay Aiken, Adam Lambert, Kellie Pickler. . . . The list goes on. Our judges and producers have done a terrific job of finding talent on the road. We have traveled across the country to towns big and small—though I was always blown away by the number of “entertaining” singers who believed they were the next Kelly Clarkson! They thought the judges were crazy when they didn’t get a golden ticket, but people like William Hung found a place in our hearts. Even though he wasn’t the best singer, you couldn’t help but enjoy watching him. I hope we’ll always be remembered for some of the amazing things we did along the way, such as Idol Gives Back. We raised millions of dollars for charity, and we helped make a global impact. I’m also proud that we put on a show that moms, dads, grandparents and kids could watch together in their living rooms. Now that it’s all ending, of course I have mixed emotions. In the practical part of my brain, I knew this decision was coming at some point. In the heart-and-passion side of my brain, I never wanted to get that news, because Idol has done so much for me. Thankfully, Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. are the perfect group to wrap up the farewell season—before they ever were judges, they all were true American Idol fans. I still haven’t wrapped my head around the final episode. People ask me all the time if I think I will cry. I think we all will be crying, but not just because it is the end. There will be tears of joy to have known that we were part of something that will always play an integral role in the history of television. The last time I step onto that shiny floor and ask Kieran to dim the lights, I don’t know how I will feel. It has been an incredible ride so far, and this show has changed my life forever. I hope that people enjoy this final celebration and remember this magic doesn’t happen that often in life. celebration and remember this magic doesn’t happen that often in life. To the thousands of contestants and millions upon millions of viewers who watched and voted, I thank you. You helped change so many lives, including mine. How Idol Changed The World AMERICAN IDOL PERFORMERS WENT ON TO WIN MULTIPLE GRAMMYS AND AN OSCAR, TOUR WITH INTERNATIONAL ROCK STARS, LIGHT UP BROADWAY, RUN FOR OFFICE . . . AND EVEN SING FOR THE COMMANDER IN CHIEF PRESIDENTIAL SWEET Barack Obama thanks Kelly Clarkson for her stirring rendition of “America (My Country ’Tis of Thee)” at his second Inauguration, on Jan. 21, 2013, as Vice President Joe Biden looks on. OSCAR OMG! Just seconds after her 2007 Best Supporting Actress Oscar win (for her film debut in Dreamgirls), Jennifer Hudson can’t contain her disbelief. And yes, that blur in the tux behind her is George Clooney—he’s the one who handed her that little golden man. “I’M STILL IN SHOCK. DID I REALLY JUST WIN?” —JENNIFER HUDSON, backstage after receiving an Academy Award on Feb. 25,