As a big fan of the hit FOX show American Idol, I feel obliged (after a Top 20 Survivors ever) to do a Top 20 American Idol contestants of All Time list, especially since we are in the middle of the 10th season of American Idol. I will this time, however rank each contestant (out of 10) to determine the order based on four criteria: Vocals, performance factor, looks, and likeability. Vocals, looks, and likeability are obvious, but by performance factor, I mean an ability to command the stage, move around, possibly even dance, and just not only give a great vocal, but give the audience something extra to cheer for. If they tied in ratings, then whoever got further on their season breaks the tie. At the end, for fun, I listed my favorite performance of theirs. Without further ado, my Top 20 American Idol contestants of All Time:
20. Kevin Covais
Season 5: Eleventh place
Vocals: 7, Performance: 8, Looks: 7, Likeability: 10, Total: 32
I had to include Chicken Little on American Idol. He’s my age and made it onto the show the first season I personally would have been eligible. He was an extremely likeable kid and I really rooted for him. He was every nerd’s hero.
Favorite performance: Part Time Lover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXe0BO_gg-o
19. Sanjaya Malakar
Season 6: Seventh place
Vocals: 6, Performance: 10, Looks: 8, Likeability: 9, Total: 33
First off, I like Sanjaya. He’s from my home state. I always gotta show my homeboys some love. Secondly, he was a performer first and a singer second. To me, there’s nothing wrong with that, as long as your voice isn’t absolutely horrible, and his wasn’t. I enjoyed all of his performances and he inspired me to try to get on Idol someday, even if I can’t sing.
Favorite performance: You Really Got Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeYrD-MrQFc
18. Lee Dewyze
Season 9: Winner
Vocals: 8, Performance: 8, Looks: 9, Likeability: 8, Total: 33
Lee is probably up there with Taylor Hicks as one of the worst Idol winners—but I still like him. He’s not awful, but on a lot of seasons he wouldn’t have even made the top 4 or 5. He’s just ordinary, but I love his style. Also, while on Idol, he always chose really good songs. Other than that, not much else to say.
Favorite performance: Hey Jude
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf0r5Ii975Q
17. Casey Abrams
Season 10: TBD
Vocals: 9, Performance: 9, Looks: 7, Likeability: 9, Total: 34
Casey Abrams only gets a 9 for his vocals because I’m still waiting to hear something amazing from him. Nonetheless, he is still one of my favorite American Idols ever, and thank goodness he got the save. He will get further than the other two to have gotten the save (Matt Giraud and Michael Lynche). His only weakness is his appearance—which he can change. I’m hoping for a Casey-James (Not Casey James from season 9) finale in Season 10. More on James below.
Favorite performance: With a Little Help from My Friends
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-ougQ64eZ0
16. Diana Degarmo
Season 3: Second place
Vocals: 9, Performance: 8, Looks: 8, Likeability: 9, Total: 34
I actually thought she was really cute when she was on. I sort of had a mini-crush on her. I also loved her singing voice and she was spunky and very likeable. She didn’t have enough talent to win, but she was a favorite of mine in season 3.
Favorite performance: Don’t Cry Out Loud
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1jP1qor3ng
15. Siobhan Magnus
Season 9: Sixth place
Vocals: 9, Performance: 9, Looks: 8, Likeability: 9, Total: 35
Siobhan was the rocker chick of her year—and I liked her. I didn’t like her early on however, but after a few live performances I saw her great vocals and stage presence and I noticed how good she was. I think she was a bit of a surprise elimination at 6th—I feel she should have at least made the top 4.
Favorite performance: Paint It Black
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNvQjGPH7FM
14. Danny Gokey
Season 8: Third place
Vocals: 9, Performance: 9, Looks: 8, Likeability: 9, Total: 35
Danny was someone who I liked from the moment I saw his first audition. I just really like the bluesy sound of his voice. There was question if he was using his wife’s passing to get sympathy votes—I don’t think he was. I think he was just sharing his story so we could know him more. Regardless, I really like his voice and personality.
Favorite performance: Hero
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvn-sJiciPI
13. David Archuleta
Season 7: Second place
Vocals: 9, Performance: 8, Looks: 8, Likeability: 10, Total: 35
David Archuleta is one of the most talented runners up in American Idol history even though there have been quite a few. As soon as I saw his audition I knew I’d like this guy and see him get really far. He had an awkward stage presence and didn’t really command the stage, but he was as likeable as there can be and his vocals were usually spot on.
Favorite performance: Angels
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1xIlnPA_s0
12. James Durbin
Season 10: TBD
Vocals: 9, Performance: 10, Looks: 8, Likeability: 9, Total: 36
James Durbin is my favorite Idol from Season 10, and with Pia’s shocking elimination, he is in the running to win the whole thing. His ability to switch it up and go slow- or mid-tempo (Maybe I’m Amazed, While My Guitar Gently Weeps) rivals that of Adam Lambert. James may even be able to get further than Lambert did.
Favorite performance: Maybe I’m Amazed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHdHUqnei3g
11. Jennifer Hudson
Season 3: Seventh place
Vocals: 10, Performance: 9, Looks: 8, Likeability: 9, Total: 36
Jennifer was one of those shocking eliminations. In her elimination, she, Latoya London, and eventual winner Fantasia Barrino all were in the bottom 3. That year, Jennifer was my favorite diva because of her amazing performance of Elton John’s “Circle of Life”. I mean that performance is STILL my favorite performance on Idol EVER. I knew she’d go on to do great things and I was not wrong.
Favorite Performance: Circle of Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erbr3L2NRo4
10. Constantine Maroulis
Season 4: Sixth place
Vocals: 9, Performance: 10, Looks: 8, Likeability: 9, Total: 36
Constantine was one of my favorites from Season 4 along with Carrie. I was hoping he’d be in the final with her, but it was Bo. Oh well. I just thought he has such a great stage presence and a soothing voice for a rocker. He was yet another one eliminated too soon.
Favorite performance: How You Remind Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xEt8DgA3ULo
9. Allison Iraheta
Season 8: Fourth place
Vocals: 9, Performance: 9, Looks: 9, Likeability: 9, Total: 36
It seems weird to put her this high, but I just couldn’t give her any less in any category. Allison is pretty much the complete package—she just needs to practice and mature more. She’s still only 18 years old. Trust me, someday, she’ll make an even bigger name for herself.
Favorite performance: Alone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CE2QyR_uaCM
8. Katharine McPhee
Season 5: Second place
Vocals: 9, Performance: 8, Looks: 10, Likeability: 9, Total: 36
Katharine is not only the best looking female to ever grace the Idol stage, she has one of the best voices as well. She should have beaten Taylor and I was so upset when she lost. My favorite performance of hers is Aretha Franklin’s “Think” because that’s when I fell in love with her. She hasn’t exactly done as well as Kelly and Carrie post-Idol, but what if she had won? Would there be a trio of Idol starlets? Perhaps. Nevertheless, Kat is still one of my favorite Idols ever—I still have a McPheever.
Favorite performance: Think
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZvfvibFup4
7. Clay Aiken
Season 2: Second place
Vocals: 10, Performance: 8, Looks: 8, Likeability: 10, Total: 36
Clay is one of those Idols that probably should have won. He lost narrowly to Reuben Studdard. Although I didn’t watch his season when it aired, I have watched all of his performances by now and I have to say he is one of my favorite contestants ever. He loses points though on his geeky looks and his stiff stage presence. It’s just that whenever I hear his voice I’m like WOW! I wish I had that voice!
Favorite performance: Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhgoSRIxgB8
6. Blake Lewis
Season 6: Second Place
Vocals: 8, Performance: 10, Looks: 9, Likeability: 10, Total: 37
Hey Brian whatcha doin putting Blake as the sixth best Idol ever? I’ll tell you what! Blake just happens to be from right where I live on the east side of Puget Sound in the great state of Washington. His performances weren’t awesome vocally but always entertained, since he could also beatbox. His style, flair, and dramatics made him well-liked. I was very disappointed when he didn’t win.
Favorite performance: You Give Love a Bad Name
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4IGm9E4W9g
5. David Cook
Season 7: Winner
Vocals: 9, Performance: 9, Looks: 9, Likeability: 10, Total: 37
One of the best rockers American Idol’s ever had, David Cook is also one of the most popular as well, spawning fan groups such as “Cook’s Crue”. He really impressed me in season 7 and for a while, I didn’t know whether to root for him or Archie. In the end, I went with Archie because I connected more with him. However, that’s nothing on David Cook, he will still be one of my favorite Idol’s ever.
Favorite performance: Eleanor Rigby
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlsE97oPJYc
4. Chris Daughtry
Season 5: Fourth Place
Vocals: 10, Performance: 9, Looks: 9, Likeability: 10, Total: 38
Daughtry is the greatest rocker to ever be on Idol. Period. I just call him Daughtry now because of his successful band with the same name. Anyway… CHRIS… he just amazed me every week on Idol, especially when he went all ballad on America with “What a Wonderful World”. One of my favorite American Idol performances ever. Dude could sing any song, really. He should have won, with Katharine coming 2nd.
Favorite performance: What a Wonderful World
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JZampv-VFNU
3. Kelly Clarkson
Season 1: Winner
Vocals: 10, Performance: 9, Looks: 9, Likeability: 10, Total: 38
The first winner of American Idol, Kelly Clarkson is without a doubt still one of the best. She’s sort of dropped out of the spotlight recently, but she had an immediate impact after she won the crown of the first American Idol over Justin Guarini. She is widely known to be one of the greatest Idol contestants ever.
Favorite performance: A Moment Like This (Winning Performance)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6RUur0f7lM
2. Adam Lambert
Season 8: Second place
Vocals: 10, Performance: 10, Looks: 9, Likeability: 10, Total: 39
Some part of me wants to declare him the best Idol ever, but I can’t because he didn’t win. But he is in my top 3 favorite Idols ever because of his amazing range, stage presence, and just pure domination. His failure to capture the American Idol crown was probably the biggest finale shocker ever. Adam is just an electrifying singer that many would kill to have his voice.
Favorite performance: Tracks of My Tears
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XpISZJsRBU
1. Carrie Underwood
Season 4: Winner
Vocals: 10, Performance: 9, Looks: 10, Likeability: 10, Total: 39
What CAN’T Carrie do? She is a smalltown farmer girl from Oklahoma, as likeable and pretty as they come, with such a beautiful voice. She was born to sing. I remember when watching Season 4 I was actually rooting for Bo in the finals for two reasons. I wanted a guy to win to continue the girl-boy trend, and two, I was rooting for the underdog. But I was very happy Carrie won. In my opinion, she is THE best American Idol contestant ever.
Favorite performance: Alone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMBSDpB3WB8
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