American Idol returned for its seventh season on January 15, 2008 for a two-day, four-hour premiere. The media focused on the professional status of the season seven contestants, the so-called 'ringers',many of whom had prior records deals, such as Kristy Lee Cook, Brooke White, Michael Johns, and in particular Carly Smithson. Contestant David Hernandez also attracted some attention due to his past working as a stripper.
David Cook, season seven winner
For the finals, American Idol debuted a new state-of-the-art set and stage on March 11, 2008, along with a new on-air look. David Cook's performance of "Billie Jean" on top ten night was lauded by the judges, but controversy erupted when the judges apparently mistook the Chris Cornell arrangement to be David Cook's own even though the performance was introduced as Cornell's version. Chris Cornell himself said he was 'flattered' and praised David Cook's performance. David Cook was taken to the hospital after top nine performance due to heart palpitations and high blood pressure.
David Archuleta's semi-final performance of John Lennon's "Imagine" was considered by many as one of the best of the season. Jennifer Lopez, who was brought in as a judge in season ten, cited it as a beautiful-song moment that she will never forget. Jason Castro's semi-final performance of "Hallelujah" also received considerable attention, and it propelled Jeff Buckley's version of the song to the top of the Billboard digital song chart. This is the first season whereby contestants' recordings were released onto iTunes after their performances, and although sales information were not released so as not to prejudice the contest, leaked information indicated contestants' songs frequently reached the top of iTunes sales chart.
Idol Gives Back returned on April 9, 2008 and raised $64 million for charity. The finalists were David Cook and David Archuleta, the first time in the show's history where neither of the top two were ever in the bottom three. David Cook was announced the winner of American Idol season seven on May 21, 2008, the first 'rocker' to win the show.
The American Idol Songwriter contest was also held this season. From ten of the most popular submissions, each of the final two contestants chose a song to perform, although neither of their selections was used as the "coronation song". The winning song, "The Time of My Life", was recorded by David Cook and released on May 22, 2008 and is the best-selling of all coronation songs to date. Both David Cook and David Archuleta are successful as recording artists.
For the finals, American Idol debuted a new state-of-the-art set and stage on March 11, 2008, along with a new on-air look. David Cook's performance of "Billie Jean" on top ten night was lauded by the judges, but controversy erupted when the judges apparently mistook the Chris Cornell arrangement to be David Cook's own even though the performance was introduced as Cornell's version. Chris Cornell himself said he was 'flattered' and praised David Cook's performance. David Cook was taken to the hospital after top nine performance due to heart palpitations and high blood pressure.
David Archuleta's semi-final performance of John Lennon's "Imagine" was considered by many as one of the best of the season. Jennifer Lopez, who was brought in as a judge in season ten, cited it as a beautiful-song moment that she will never forget. Jason Castro's semi-final performance of "Hallelujah" also received considerable attention, and it propelled Jeff Buckley's version of the song to the top of the Billboard digital song chart. This is the first season whereby contestants' recordings were released onto iTunes after their performances, and although sales information were not released so as not to prejudice the contest, leaked information indicated contestants' songs frequently reached the top of iTunes sales chart.
Idol Gives Back returned on April 9, 2008 and raised $64 million for charity. The finalists were David Cook and David Archuleta, the first time in the show's history where neither of the top two were ever in the bottom three. David Cook was announced the winner of American Idol season seven on May 21, 2008, the first 'rocker' to win the show.
The American Idol Songwriter contest was also held this season. From ten of the most popular submissions, each of the final two contestants chose a song to perform, although neither of their selections was used as the "coronation song". The winning song, "The Time of My Life", was recorded by David Cook and released on May 22, 2008 and is the best-selling of all coronation songs to date. Both David Cook and David Archuleta are successful as recording artists.