The Ultimate American Idol Quiz!

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When American Idol first premiered, it became a phenomenon with TV viewers. There weren't any other shows that truly gave a chance to the masses in the same way as American Idol and there were so many other elements that made the series unique. The auditioning process allowed people to take a shot at their dreams in a way that really wasn't possible in other shows like Star Search. Yet, it wasn't just the fact that the show was able to afford an opportunity to so many people that made the audition process unique. While American Idol may have set out to find the next big thing in music, it was also an entertainment program that gave viewers a laugh when someone with delusions in their singing ability would step up to audition.

Whether it was the audition episodes, Hollywood Week, or the main competition, it seemed like American Idol had the winning combination when it came to maintaining popularity with TV audiences. On top of the entertainment factor in the show, there were some major success stories that came out of the 15 seasons of the series. Towards the end of the series, it seemed like they could no longer keep up with the competition amongst the other new singing reality shows and they announced that the show was coming to an end. Yet, the series has been picked up again and has already announced a return to TV on ABC. Whether you call yourself an American Idol fanatic or you're just getting ready for the next season to start, test your knowledge on how well you know this icon in reality singing TV programming.

Question 1

What was the name of the other host during Season 1 of American Idol?

During the early days of American Idol, Ryan Seacrest wasn't the only host. It's hard to imagine him sharing the stage nowadays since he has long since been thought of as American Idol's only host. Yet, he did have to share the stage with another host during those early days, even though there really wasn't much chemistry between the two. Unlike other shows with cohosts like Ant and Dec, it became obvious that Ryan Seacrest didn't want to share the spotlight. What was the name of the other host during Season 1 of American Idol?

Question 2

Who was the winner of Season 1 of American Idol?

When the first season of American Idol premiered, people couldn't get enough of the incredible talent that came from the show. Each new episode seemed to prove just how much untapped talent there was in the U.S. and it became clear that the show was more than ready to make a star out of whoever won the series. When the time finally came to read off the winner, the finale was super emotional and heartwarming. Who was the winner of Season 1 of American Idol?

Question 3

What was the name of the song that Kelly Clarkson sang for the win during Season 1 of American Idol?

When Kelly Clarkson was down to the final two in Season 1 of American Idol, the show had to prove to the audience that she could do more than just belt out a few covers. She had already solidified the fact that she could give a great rendition to an oldies classic but that didn't necessarily mean that she could come out with a great pop hit to turn her into the next big thing in music. Yet, that changed when she sang the song that ultimately helped her win the show. What was the name of the song that Kelly Clarkson sang for the win during Season 1 of American Idol?

Question 4

What was the name of the only female judge during the early seasons of American Idol?

When American Idol first started out, the panel of judges consisted of two men and only one woman. Over the years, the judge's panel changed around a bit, including an added judge and swapping out a few of the people. Yet, those early years brings on some major nostalgia for American Idol fans. The woman was a lot more sympathetic towards the contestants and she was far more lenient when it came to the criticism. What was the name of the only female judge during the early seasons of American Idol?

Question 5

What was the name of the world-renowned producer that sat as a judge during the early years of American Idol?

During the early years of American Idol, the showrunners thought that it would be prudent to include a judge that had some significant background in the music industry. While Paula Abdul was known for a few of her hit singles and her incredible ability as a choreographer, that didn't necessarily give her the persona of being an expert at spotting talent. So, the show included a world-renowned producer that had worked with some of the top names in music. What was the name of the world-renowned producer that sat as a judge during the early years of American Idol?

Question 6

What is the name of the British judge from the early seasons of American Idol?

In order to round out the judge's panel during those early years of American Idol, there had to be someone that would be able to tell it like he saw it without worrying about being labeled "the mean one." Paula Abdul always tried to be lenient towards the contestants and Randy Jackson seemed to be more considered with being seen as a friend or a "Dog, yo!" Yet, there was one person that didn't care about what the contestants thought of him and he said what so many Americans were already thinking. What is the name of the British judge from the early seasons of American Idol?

Question 7

What was the name of the runner-up for Season 2 of American Idol?

Expectations were extremely high when Season 2 of American Idol first premiered. The show had already found a huge and talented singer in Kelly Clarkson during Season 1, so it seemed like the bar had definitely been raised. Yet, there was something a tad different with Season 2 since both of the finalists didn't exactly look like the typical new sensation in the world of music. Voters seemed to want to focus on the singing ability rather than their commercial appeal. What was the name of the runner-up for Season 2 of American Idol?

Question 8

What was the name of the runner-up for Season 3 of American Idol?

Season 3 of American Idol was another huge win for the series since it garnered millions of viewers with each new episode and there was a huge amount of publicity for the finalists. After the season concluded, there was a bit of controversy regarding the way the showrunners handled the fact that there was a single mother on the show. There were some rumors that the producers tried to downplay her role as an unwed mother, which came out later in a made-for-TV film. What was the name of the runner-up for Season 3 of American Idol?

Question 9

What was the name of the song that Carrie Underwood sang for her win during Season 4 of American Idol?

While there have been quite a few success stories that came out of American Idol, it's Carrie Underwood that truly took the prize for being the breakout star in country music. When she appeared in Season 4 of the series, people could instantly tell that she had an incredible talent but no one could have guessed how she would be able to skyrocket as the next big country music star. What was the name of the song that Carrie Underwood sang for her win during Season 4 of American Idol?

Question 10

What was the name of the former American Idol contestant that sued Fox over an alleged Paula Abdul affair?

Any situation where there are a group of young people trying to make their way to fame and fortune, there is always potential for some funny business regarding their interaction with others. While people would probably assume that it would be the males on the judge's panel that would have to fight off some allegations, it was actually Paula Abdul that had to fight off allegations from an ex-contestant. He alleged that he had an affair with Abdul, sued Fox for racism and then sued for defamation. What was the name of the former American Idol contestant that sued Fox over an alleged Paula Abdul affair?

Question 11

What was the nickname for the fans of Taylor Hicks during Season 5 of American Idol?

Season 5 of American Idol garnered a huge amount of controversy because there was an emphasis on the frenzy amongst the voters. While the contestants always held up their fingers to show the viewers who to vote for in their texts, Taylor Hicks took it to another level by speaking directly to his fan base. People criticized this move by saying that it wasn't his voice that they were voting for but just a ploy to work up a frenzy for votes. What was the nickname for the fans of Taylor Hicks during Season 5 of American Idol?

Question 12

Who won American Idol the year that Katharine McPhee was a contestant?

While there are a number of American Idol contestants that were able to find fame after their exit from the show, Katharine McPhee found the bulk of her fame through acting rather than singing. While she appeared on American Idol, people commended her for her vocal ability and her rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" is still thought of as one of Idol's most memorable moments. While she may not have won American Idol, she has made a substantial career for herself as an actress. Who won American Idol the year that Katharine McPhee was a contestant?

Question 13

What was the name of the song that Jordin Sparks sang for her win during Season 6 of American Idol?

Season 6 of American Idol brought a huge amount of talent, with millions of people auditioning all across the United States. Jordin Sparks wound up becoming the Season 6 winner but the runner-up, Blake Lewis, also received millions of votes. Sparks wound up becoming the youngest contestant to ever win the series at the tender age of just 17-years-old. The moment that she won was extremely heartwarming, with people thinking of her as one of the sweetest winners of the series. What was the name of the song that Jordin Sparks sang for her win during Season 6 of American Idol?

Question 14

What was the name of the runner-up for Season 7 of American Idol?

Season 7 of American Idol was a bit unique in that both of the finalists had the same first name. When Ryan Seacrest read the name of the winner, the audience all held their breath to hear what the last name would be to announce the winner. There was a significant age difference between these two finalists and it seemed like the young girls were all rooting for the younger finalist to become the next American Idol. What was the name of the runner-up for Season 7 of American Idol?

Question 15

What was the name of the contestant that Howard Stern egged on for people to vote for because he was “the worst?”

While the premise of the American Idol series revolved around contestants obtaining votes through their vocal ability, there has been some controversy over the years regarding the voting system. Not everyone was onboard with the notion of voting for the best singer in the competition and there was one particular contestant that seemed to be getting votes for all of the wrong reasons. During Season 6, Howard Stern and a number of other online outlets were egging on voters to vote for the worst contestant rather than the best. What was the name of the contestant that Howard Stern egged on for people to vote for because he was “the worst?”

Question 16

What season was Jennifer Hudson on American Idol?

While the American Idol series wants the audience to focus on the winner of each new season, it's hard to deny the fact that there have been a number of success stories that have come from the contestants that were voted off. Jennifer Hudson is thought of as one of the biggest successes from the series, despite the fact that she didn't win. Hudson may not have made it to become a winner or runner-up but she wound up becoming a celebrated actress and Oscar winner. What season was Jennifer Hudson on when she was on American Idol?

Question 17

What season was Adam Lambert on American Idol?

When Adam Lambert was introduced to the world as a contestant on American Idol, people thought of him as a completely different contestant from anyone else that had been featured on the show. He had the look of a rocker but had a voice that wasn't only suited for the screaming rocker style that people are accustomed to for those in that specific genre. Although he didn't win when he was a contestant on the series, he went on to sell a decent amount of records and is slated to be included in the new season as a mentor figure. What season was Adam Lambert on when he was on American Idol?

Question 18

What season was Chris Daughtry a contestant on American Idol?

When Chris Daughtry first auditioned for American Idol, he already had some experience as a music artist. He was the lead singer of a band but American Idol didn't allow groups to audition for the series. When he was chosen for the show, he garnered a sizable fan base as a solo artist. Yet, he wasn't the contestant that was able to bring home the title of becoming the next American Idol. After the season ended, he returned to his old ways and has a substantial career in the band, Daughtry. What season was Chris Daughtry a contestant on American Idol?

Question 19

Who won American Idol during the season where Elliott Yamin was a contestant?

One of the best aspects about American Idol was the fact that there was such a great amount of diversity amongst the contestants. Although there were contestants that leaned towards a specific genre, they all had to try and put their own spin on various songs with each new category of competition within the show. Elliott Yamin quickly garnered an audience with his unique crooning ability that had a twist with R&B. Although he didn't win, he went on to have a significant amount of success as a solo artist after the show. Who won American Idol during the season where Elliott Yamin was a contestant?

Question 20

What was the name of the Season 9 winner of American Idol?

During Season 9 of American Idol, there was an interesting mix of contestants that made it onto the show. It seemed like the series was starting to go in a different direction when it came to its contestants. While there was a mix of different singers from all different genres, it seemed like the audience was starting to get tired of the same old thing and were starting to go a different direction as well. What was the name of the Season 9 winner of American Idol?

Question 21

What season did William Hung audition for American Idol?

While American Idol is known for finding incredibly talented singers from all across the United States, the series isn't always just about finding the best of the best. The audition process has often focused on the bad singers just as fiercely as the good ones. During one infamous season, William Hung auditioned for the series and sang his rendition of Ricky Martin's hit song, "She Bangs." It became a huge comical point for the series and the show even brought him back after numerous seasons. What season did William Hung audition for American Idol?

Question 22

Who won Season 10 of American Idol?

During Season 10 of American Idol, there were a number of country artists that auditioned for the show. The success of Carrie Underwood was a huge driving point for the series and it seemed like people from all across the United States were trying to become the next big country star. While the series was definitely filled with its fair share of drama and tears, people were generally content with the person that became the Season 10 winner. Who won Season 10 of American Idol?

Question 23

Who was the previous American Idol winner that David Archuleta performed for as a child?

There aren't many shows on television that can boast sustaining airtime for as long as American Idol. This longstanding series had people literally growing up watching the show and there were some incredibly interesting things that happened. When David Archuleta began his journey as a contestant for the series, he talked about how he had watched the show from the very first season. He also had an incredible story about once singing for a former winner and had a video to prove it. Who was the previous American Idol winner that David Archuleta performed for as a child?

Question 24

What season did Joshua Ledet appear as a contestant on American Idol?

One of the aspects of American Idol that captivated TV audiences was the fact that it provided opportunities for people that may not have ever received them. In many cases, the contestants came from small towns and some of them had never even flown in an airplane before. Joshua Ledet was one of those contestants that had never flown in an airplane before so American Idol really opened up a new world to him. Although he didn't wind up winning the show, he made a definite impression on fans of the show. What season did Joshua Ledet appear as a contestant on American Idol?

Question 25

What year did Simon Cowell announce that he would be leaving American Idol?

Although American Idol was known for breaking records in ratings and voters over the years, there were times when the show needed a bit of a boost in order to maintain its popularity. One of the ways that it did this was by swapping out some of the people on the judge's panel. While Simon Cowell was definitely a favorite for the show, he made the decision to leave in order to focus on the American version of The X Factor. What year did Simon Cowell announce that he would be leaving American Idol?

Question 26

Who won American Idol during the season where Nicki Minaj was one of the judges?

When the showrunners for American Idol began looking for some changes to the judge's panel, they didn't seem to have any limitations on who they were looking for to spark interest from TV audiences. They already called upon celebrities like Jennifer Lopez and Ellen DeGeneres but they wanted to appeal to a different type of audience when they asked Nicki Minaj to join the American Idol panel. Yet, her appearance as a judge wasn't exactly good for the show since it brought on rumors of diva behavior between her and Mariah Carey. Who won American Idol during the season where Nicki Minaj was one of the judges?

Question 27

What was the name of the song that Paula Abdul debuted on American Idol?

One of the reasons why celebrities agree to be a judge on a singing competition series is because of the added exposure that it will give them. Oftentimes, it allows them to promote new albums that they have coming out, future tour dates and brand new singles. While American Idol may have surrounded the show on finding the next new hit in the music industry, it also gave a platform for current music artists to perform on the Idol stage. What was the name of the song that Paula Abdul debuted on American Idol?

Question 28

What Elvis song did Jena Irene Asciutto sing during Season 13 that made Jennifer Lopez cry?

When Jennifer Lopez joined the judge's panel of American Idol, the public got to see a completely different side to "Jenny from the Block." She had always been seen as a tough-nosed diva and people couldn't help but think of her in that way. Yet, when she became a judge on American Idol, people got to see the soft side to her. She was ultra sympathetic to the contestants and often broke down in tears. What Elvis song did Jena Irene Asciutto sing during Season 13 that made Jennifer Lopez cry?

Question 29

Who was the winner during the season where Constantine Maroulis was a contestant?

The interesting thing about American Idol is the fact that sometimes the winners can be completely forgotten and yet, some of the rejected contestants can remain completely burned into people's minds. Constantine Maroulis was a contestant that became known for his infamous smoldering look and rocker style. While he didn't wind up winning during the season where hw was a contestant, he did return to the show to make an appearance with his smoldering look once again. Who was the winner during the season where Constantine Maroulis was a contestant?

Question 30

What song did Kellie Pickler sing for her audition for American Idol?

American Idol doesn't just show off the singing ability of their contestants since they often showcase the backstory just as much as their talent. While Kellie Pickler had an amazing voice, it was her heartbreaking backstory that had people truly rooting for her to take home the title of the next American Idol. She made quite an impression on the judges as well as the public and Simon Cowell even once stated that he liked her better than Carrie Underwood. What song did Kellie Pickler sing for her audition for American Idol?

Question 31

What Beatle’s song did Jackie “Jax” Cole perform for her audition during Season 14 of American Idol?

As the American Idol series progressed, the showrunners began to implement different elements into the competition that helped to give the show more of a complete format. One of the added elements was the contestant's ability to play their own instruments. They even included this in the audition process. One of the most memorable auditions was when Jackie "Jax" Cole performed on a piano for her audition. What Beatle’s song did Jackie “Jax” Cole perform for her audition during Season 14 of American Idol?

Question 32

Who won Season 15 of American Idol?

Season 15 of American Idol was coined as the final season of the series. While American Idol was once thought of as the King of all singing competition shows, there was a surge of similar shows that seemed to push American Idol off its throne. Ratings started to dwindle and it seemed like Fox didn't want to continue pushing out the series. Although there has already been an announcement that American Idol will be returning to TV, the 15th season was still quite memorable (even if it really wasn't the last). Who won Season 15 of American Idol?

Question 33

What season of American Idol was the first to include online auditions?

During the early years of American Idol, potential contestants had to hope that there would be auditions held in a city near them in order to get onto the show. Some of the contestants had to drive for miles and miles to make it to an audition and after awhile, the showrunners chose to expand the audition cities to allow for more opportunities for potential contestants. Yet, as the series continued, the show decided to include even more ways to audition. What season of American Idol was the first to include online auditions?

Question 34

Who was the winner of American Idol during the season where Colton Dixon was a contestant?

While the American Idol series was meant to find the most talented person that could make it as the next music star, that didn't mean that the only criteria that people were looking at was vocal ability. Simply engaging in the vocal gymnastics of the runs and high notes wasn't enough to truly gain an audience or enough votes to win the title of being the next American Idol. Yet, having the look of a true rock star didn't exactly hurt. Who was the winner of American Idol during the season where Colton Dixon was a contestant?

Question 35

What year did Season 1 of American Idol premiere?

Prior to the first season of American Idol, there weren't really any singing competition shows on American television. Previous shows like Star Search had long since been outdated and the country was ready for a new series to draw in viewers through the incredible talent and heartwarming backstories. It's interesting to see flashback scenes from that first season since it looks so dated by today's standards. Yet, this was the season that started it all. What year did Season 1 of American Idol premiere?

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