American Idol season 2

{{Use American English|date=December 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=December 2022}} {{Infobox television season | bgcolor = #003c92 | image = American Idol logo.svg | module1 = {{Infobox reality competition season | host = Ryan Seacrest | judges =  Paula Abdul Simon Cowell Randy Jackson | finals_venue = Gibson Amphitheatre | winner = Ruben Studdard | runner_up = Clay Aiken }} | first_aired = {{start date|2003|01|21}} | last_aired = {{end date|2003|05|21}} | network = Fox }}

The second season of ''American Idol'' premiered on January 21, 2003, and continued until May 21, 2003. The title of show was shortened from ''American Idol: The Search for a Superstar'' to just ''American Idol''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2011/04/x_factor_seeking_stars_in_newa.html |title='X Factor' seeking stars in Newark, but does America need another TV talent show? |date=April 11, 2011 |access-date=April 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110414095256/http://www.nj.com/entertainment/tv/index.ssf/2011/04/x_factor_seeking_stars_in_newa.html |archive-date=April 14, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> Brian Dunkleman quit after the first season,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/former-american-idol-co-host-brian-dunkleman-breaks-his-silence-3973.php |title=Former 'American Idol' co-host Brian Dunkleman "breaks his silence" |publisher=Realitytvworld.com |date=February 22, 2006 |access-date=February 24, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110315061413/http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/former-american-idol-co-host-brian-dunkleman-breaks-his-silence-3973.php |archive-date=March 15, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> and Ryan Seacrest therefore became the lone host beginning with the second season.

The second season was won by Ruben Studdard, who defeated Clay Aiken by 134,000 votes out of the 24 million votes recorded.

Studdard released his coronation song "Flying Without Wings" after the show, which reached number two on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100. Aiken also released a single with "This Is the Night." He was the first non-winning contestant to have a ''Billboard'' Hot 100 number one. It was also the biggest U.S. single of 2003, selling over one million copies and reaching six times platinum status in Canada as well as number one in New Zealand.<ref name="chart.http://acharts.us">{{cite web |url=http://acharts.us/song/199 |title=Clay Aiken - This Is The Night - Music Charts |publisher=Acharts.us |access-date=August 25, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110923190813/http://acharts.us/song/199 |archive-date=September 23, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

In addition to Studdard and Aiken, Kimberley Locke, Joshua Gracin, Kimberly Caldwell, and Carmen Rasmusen all signed with various record labels.

==Regional auditions== Auditions were held in the fall of 2002 in the following cities:<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.hollywood.com/news/American_Idol_2_Auditions_Scheduled/1633963 |title="American Idol 2" Auditions Scheduled |access-date=September 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004135737/http://www.hollywood.com/news/American_Idol_2_Auditions_Scheduled/1633963 |archive-date=October 4, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> {|class="wikitable sortable" style=" text-align:center" |+''American Idol'' (season 2) – regional auditions ! scope="col" | City ! scope="col" | Date(s) ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Audition venue<ref name="audition city">{{Cite web |url=http://www.paula-abdul.net/html/article_58.html |title=PAULA ABDUL, RANDY JACKSON & SIMON COWELL TO RETURN AS JUDGES ON 'AMERICAN IDOL' |access-date=September 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326004808/http://www.paula-abdul.net/html/article_58.html |archive-date=March 26, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ! scope="col" class="unsortable" | Callback venue ! scope="col" | Golden tickets |- ! scope="row" | Detroit, Michigan | October 21, 2002 | colspan="2" | Atheneum Suites Hotel | 22 |- ! scope="row" | New York City, New York | October 24–28, 2002<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 25, 2002 |title=Thousands brave cold in New York for 'Idol' audition |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-oct-25-et-e33filler25-story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108042340/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/oct/25/entertainment/et-e33filler25 |archive-date=November 8, 2012 |access-date=September 9, 2011 |website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> | Regent Wall Street Hotel | Rhiga Royal Hotel<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gwhatchet.com/2003/03/03/gw-idol/ |title=GW Idol |date=March 3, 2003 |access-date=September 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404073505/http://www.gwhatchet.com/2003/03/03/gw-idol/ |archive-date=April 4, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> | 35 |- ! scope="row" | Atlanta, Georgia | October 27, 2002 | AmericasMart | Callanwolde Fine Arts Center<ref>[http://www.palmbeachpost.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/accessatlanta/idol/entries/2007/10/14/1015_idol_rewin.html 10/15: Flashback! Idol Rewind in the ATL 2002]</ref> | 46 |- ! scope="row" | Nashville, Tennessee | October 30, 2002 | Nashville Municipal Auditorium | Wildhorse Saloon | 30 |- ! scope="row" | Miami, Florida | November 2–6, 2002<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hopeful Singers Try For Round 2 |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2002-11-03/news/0211020433_1_david-goffin-auditions-american-idol |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918111156/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2002-11-03/news/0211020433_1_david-goffin-auditions-american-idol |archive-date=September 18, 2012 |access-date=September 9, 2011}}</ref> | colspan="2" |Fontainebleau Hilton Hotel<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2002-11-07/news/0211070074_1_american-idol-simon-cowell-nigel-lythgoe |title=3 Make Cut For American Idol |access-date=September 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120918111216/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2002-11-07/news/0211070074_1_american-idol-simon-cowell-nigel-lythgoe |archive-date=September 18, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | 20 |- ! scope="row" | Austin, Texas | November 6–10, 2002 | Doubletree Hotel | Hyatt Regency<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://tech.mit.edu/V122/N58/american_idol.58f.html |title=Chris Vu Tackles Obstacles Along Way to Idol Stardom |access-date=September 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809074657/http://tech.mit.edu/V122/N58/american_idol.58f.html |archive-date=August 9, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> | 36 |- ! scope="row" | Los Angeles, California | November 18–20, 2002 | Rose Bowl<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/'IDOL'+DREAMS+WISHFUL+SINGERS+MAKE+PITCH+FOR+SHOW.-a094427442 |title='IDOL' DREAMS WISHFUL SINGERS MAKE PITCH FOR SHOW |access-date=September 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305032808/http://www.thefreelibrary.com/'IDOL'+DREAMS+WISHFUL+SINGERS+MAKE+PITCH+FOR+SHOW.-a094427442 |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> | Renaissance Hollywood Hotel<ref>[https://archive.today/20120905134137/http://www.morganhilltimes.com/printer/article.asp?c=7844 Teen singer reaches American Idol finals]</ref> | 45 |- ! colspan="4" |Total number of tickets to Hollywood ! 234 |}

The number of auditions increased significantly after the success of the first season,<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2002-nov-19-me-idol19-story.html |title=Lining Up to Be the Next 'Idol' |website=Los Angeles Times |date=November 19, 2002 |access-date=September 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112202450/http://articles.latimes.com/2002/nov/19/local/me-idol19 |archive-date=January 12, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/25/nyregion/hoping-overnight-success-follows-overnight-wait.html |title=Hoping Overnight Success Follows Overnight Wait |website=The New York Times |date=October 25, 2002 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160305090259/http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/25/nyregion/hoping-overnight-success-follows-overnight-wait.html |archive-date=March 5, 2016 |url-status=live |last1=Worth |first1=Robert F. }}</ref> and arenas and stadiums began to be used to hold the first auditions from this season onward.<ref name="audition city"/><ref>[https://archive.today/20120728203716/http://www.cychron.com/2.13042/american-idol-searches-for-star-1.1768203 American Idol Searches for Star]</ref> Around 70,000 attended auditions this season and 234 were selected to proceed on to the Hollywood round. Radio DJ Angie Martinez was originally signed up as a fourth judge,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458344/angie-martinez-ready-simon-cowell.jhtml |title=Angie Martinez Ready To Take On 'American Idol' Judge Simon Cowell |website=MTV |access-date=February 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111229104417/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458344/angie-martinez-ready-simon-cowell.jhtml |archive-date=December 29, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> but quit after a few days, stating that "it became too uncomfortable for me to tell someone else to give up on their dream."<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2002/10/31/new-judge-angie-martinez-drops-out-american-idol/ |title=Sitting 'Idol' |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=February 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020205330/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,386158,00.html |archive-date=October 20, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Amber Riley was rejected by producers and did not get to audition for the judges,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/glee-star-amber-riley-on-idol-rejection-i-still-work-on-fox-and-get-paid_article_23649 |title=''Glee'' Star Amber Riley On ''Idol'' Rejection: "I Still Work On Fox And Get Paid" |publisher=Accesshollywood.com |date=September 30, 2009 |access-date=April 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110707080214/http://www.accesshollywood.com/glee-star-amber-riley-on-idol-rejection-i-still-work-on-fox-and-get-paid_article_23649 |archive-date=July 7, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> but later went on to co-star on the television series ''Glee'' as Mercedes Jones.

==Hollywood week== The contestants performed in a series of rounds and the number of contestants trimmed was in each round. In the first round, the 234 contestants performed a song, after which 114 were eliminated. In the second round, the remaining 120 contestants were asked to compose a melody for one of five sets of lyrics, and 40 more were cut. In the third round, the contestants were separated by gender and performed in small groups. The remaining 48 boys chose from The Carpenters' "Superstar," Seal's "Kiss from a Rose," and Barry Manilow's "Tryin' to Get the Feeling Again," while the remaining 32 girls chose from Melissa Manchester's "Don't Cry Out Loud," Freda Payne's "Band of Gold," and Dionne Warwick's "You'll Never Get to Heaven (If You Break My Heart)."

In the last round, each of the remaining 48 contestants performed solo. After their performances, the contestants were then divided into three groups of sixteen and placed in separate rooms. One group was eliminated, and 32 contestants proceeded on to the semifinal rounds.

==Semifinals== The format changed slightly in the second season; instead of three groups of ten, the semifinalists were grouped into four groups of eight. The singers performed solo on a new and improved stage with piano accompaniment by Michael Orland, and the performances were pre-taped. There was no live audience, although family members of contestants were present in the Red Room where the contestants were placed.

The results of the public vote were announced live the next day. From each group, two were selected to proceed on to the top 12. Nine of those who failed at any of previous stages, including the Hollywood rounds and the initial regional auditions, were given one more chance to perform again in the Wild Card show. Each of the three judges put one contestant from the Wild Card group through to the top 12, with the final one selected by the public vote.

'''Color key:''' {| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 90%; white-space: nowrap;" |{{legend|#FDFC8F|This contestant was chosen by the public to advance.}} |- |{{legend|#E6E6FA|This contestant was not chosen by the public, and had to perform again for the judges.}} |- |{{legend|#B0E0E6|This contestant was not chosen by the public, but was chosen by the judges as a Wild Card pick.}} |- |{{legend|#FF91A4|This contestant was eliminated.}} |} Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

===Group 1 (February 5)=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" | Contestant ! scope="col" | Song ! scope="col" | Result |- ! scope="row" | Kimberly Caldwell | "Come to My Window" | bgcolor="E6E6FA" | Wild Card (3rd) |- ! scope="row" | Patrick Fortson | "Un-Break My Heart" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | J. D. Adams | "All in Love Is Fair" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Trenyce | "Love Sneakin' Up On You" | bgcolor="E6E6FA" | Wild Card |- ! scope="row" | Meosha Denton | "How Do I Live" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Bettis Richardson | "Thank You" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Charles Grigsby | "Overjoyed" | style="background:#fdfc8f;" | Safe |- ! scope="row" | Julia DeMato | "Son of a Preacher Man" | style="background:#fdfc8f;" | Safe |}

===Group 2 (February 12)=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" | Contestant ! scope="col" | Song ! scope="col" | Result |- ! scope="row" | Clay Aiken | "Open Arms" | bgcolor="E6E6FA" | Wild Card (3rd) |- ! scope="row" | Candice Coleman | "Piece of My Heart" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Rebecca Bond | "Caught Up in the Rapture" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Jacob John Smalley | "Anytime" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Hadas | "You Light Up My Life" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Ruben Studdard | "Superstar" | style="background:#fdfc8f;" | Safe |- ! scope="row" | Kimberley Locke | "Over the Rainbow" | style="background:#fdfc8f;" | Safe |- ! scope="row" | Jennifer Fuentes | "I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |}

===Group 3 (February 19)=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" | Contestant ! scope="col" | Song ! scope="col" | Result |- ! scope="row" | Kimberly Kelsey | "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Jordan Segundo | "For Your Love" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Vanessa Olivarez | "Out Here on My Own" | style="background:#fdfc8f;" | Safe |- ! scope="row" | Rickey Smith | "One Last Cry" | style="background:#fdfc8f;" | Safe |- ! scope="row" | Samantha Cohen | "Something He Can Feel" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Louis Gazzara | "How Am I Supposed to Live Without You" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Equoia Coleman | "The Way We Were" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated (3rd) |- ! scope="row" | George Trice | "Unchained Melody" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |}

===Group 4 (February 26)=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" | Contestant ! scope="col" | Song ! scope="col" | Result |- ! scope="row" | Sylvia Chibiliti | "Didn't We Almost Have It All" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Chip Days | "A Song for You" | bgcolor="E6E6FA" | Wild Card |- ! scope="row" | Juanita Barber | "What About the Children" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Patrick Lake | "When I See You Smile" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated (3rd) |- ! scope="row" | Nasheka Siddall | "Open My Heart" | bgcolor="E6E6FA" | Wild Card |- ! scope="row" | Josh Gracin | "I'll Be" | style="background:#fdfc8f;" | Safe |- ! scope="row" | Ashley Hartman | "Touch Me in the Morning" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Corey Clark | "Foolish Heart" | style="background:#fdfc8f;" | Safe |}

===Wild Card round (March 5)=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col" | Contestant ! scope="col" | Song ! scope="col" | Result |- ! scope="row" | Kimberly Caldwell | "I Feel the Earth Move" | style="background:#B0E0E6;" | Saved{{efn|Randy Jackson's Wild Card choice}} |- ! scope="row" | Clay Aiken | "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" | style="background:#fdfc8f;" | Safe |- ! scope="row" | Nasheka Siddall | "Wind Beneath My Wings" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Carmen Rasmusen | "Can't Fight the Moonlight" | style="background:#B0E0E6;" | Saved{{efn|Simon Cowell's Wild Card choice}} |- ! scope="row" | Olivia Mojica | "Because You Loved Me" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Janine Falsone | "We Belong" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Chip Days | "Rock with You" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Aliceyn Cooney | "Angel" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Trenyce | "Let's Stay Together" | style="background:#B0E0E6;" | Saved{{efn|Paula Abdul's Wild Card choice}} |} {{notelist}}

==Top 12 finalists== right|thumb|300px|Back - Joshua Gracin, Clay Aiken, Kimberly Caldwell, Kimberley Locke, Charles Grigsby, Carmen Rusmusen, Trenyce, Ruben Studdard Seated - Julia DeMato, Corey Clark, Vanessa Olivarez, Rickey Smith

*'''Ruben Studdard''' (born September 12, 1978, in Frankfurt, Germany; 24 years old at the time of the show) was from Birmingham, Alabama, and auditioned in Nashville with Stevie Wonder's "Ribbon in the Sky." *'''Clay Aiken''' (born November 30, 1978, in Raleigh, North Carolina; 24 years old at the time of the show) auditioned in Atlanta with Heatwave's "Always and Forever." *'''Kimberley Locke''' (born January 3, 1978, in Hartsville, Tennessee; 25 years old at the time of the show) was from Nashville, Tennessee, where she auditioned with Judy Garland's "Over the Rainbow." *'''Joshua Gracin''' (born October 18, 1980, in Westland, Michigan; 22 years old at the time of the show) was from Oceanside, California, where he was stationed while serving in the Marine Corps. He auditioned in Los Angeles with O-Town's "All or Nothing." *'''Trenyce''' (born March 31, 1980, in Memphis, Tennessee; 22 years old at the time of the show) was from Bartlett, Tennessee, and auditioned in Nashville with Whitney Houston's "I Learned from the Best." *'''Carmen Rasmusen''' (born March 25, 1985, in Edmonton, Canada; 17 years old at the time of the show) was from Bountiful, Utah, and auditioned in Los Angeles. She did not make the semifinal initially, but was brought back for the Wild Card round and made it to the top 12. *'''Kimberly Caldwell''' (born February 25, 1982, in Katy, Texas; 20 years old at the time of the show) auditioned in Austin with Stevie Wonder's "Superstition". She learned of her participation as a Wild Card contestant on her 21st birthday. *'''Rickey Smith''' (born May 10, 1979 in Keene, Texas; 23 years old at the time of the show) auditioned in Nashville with Brian McKnight's "One Last Cry". *'''Corey Clark''' (born July 13, 1980, in San Bernardino, California; 22 years old at the time of the show) auditioned in Nashville with The Jackson 5's "Never Can Say Goodbye." He was disqualified hours after the website The Smoking Gun revealed his misdemeanor charges of battery and resisting arrest on March 31, 2003.<ref>[http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/fall-another-idol The Fall Of Another "Idol"]</ref> *'''Julia DeMato''' (born March 7, 1979, in Danbury, Connecticut; 24 years old at the time of the show) was from Brookfield, Connecticut, and auditioned with Toni Braxton's "Un-Break My Heart." *'''Charles Grigsby''' (born September 15, 1978, in Oberlin, Ohio; 24 years old at the time of the show) auditioned in Detroit. *'''Vanessa Olivarez''' (born April 7, 1981; 21 years old at the time of the show) was from Atlanta, Georgia, where she auditioned with Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody."

==Finals== '''Color key:''' {| class="toccolours" style="font-size: 90%; white-space: nowrap;" |{{legend|#FDFC8F|This contestant was saved by the public vote.}} |- |{{legend|#E0F0FF|This contestant was in the bottom two or three, but was saved by the public vote.}} |- |{{legend|#FF91A4|This contestant was eliminated.}} |- |{{legend|gold|This contestant won ''American Idol''.}} |- |{{legend|silver|This contestant was the runner-up.}} |}

===Top 12 – Motown (March 12)=== Lamont Dozier served as a guest judge this week. Contestants are listed in the order they performed. {| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Contestant ! scope="col"| Motown song ! scope="col"| Result |- ! scope="row" | Kimberley Locke | "Heat Wave" | style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom three |- ! scope="row" | Joshua Gracin | "Baby I Need Your Loving" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Charles Grigsby | "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved by You)" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Kimberly Caldwell | "Nowhere to Run" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Rickey Smith | "1-2-3" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Julia DeMato | "Where Did Our Love Go" | style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom two |- ! scope="row" | Clay Aiken |"I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Vanessa Olivarez | "You Keep Me Hangin' On" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Corey Clark | "This Old Heart of Mine (Is Weak for You)" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Carmen Rasmusen | "You Can't Hurry Love" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Trenyce | "Come See About Me" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Ruben Studdard | "Baby I Need Your Loving" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |}

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Non-competition performance |- ! scope="col"| Performers ! scope="col"| Song |- ! scope="row" | Top 12 | "Heat Wave" |}

===Top 11 – Movie soundtracks (March 19)=== Gladys Knight served as a guest judge this week. Contestants are listed in the order they performed. {| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Contestant ! scope="col"| Song ! scope="col"| Film ! scope="col"| Result |- ! scope="row" | Corey Clark | "Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)" | ''Against All Odds'' | style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom two |- ! scope="row" | Ruben Studdard | "A Whole New World" | ''Aladdin'' | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Trenyce | "I Have Nothing" | ''The Bodyguard'' | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Clay Aiken | "Somewhere Out There" | ''An American Tail'' | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Kimberly Caldwell | "The Shoop Shoop Song (It's in His Kiss)" | ''Mermaids'' | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Joshua Gracin | "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing" | ''Armageddon'' | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Carmen Rasmusen | "Hopelessly Devoted to You" | ''Grease'' | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Charles Grigsby | "You Can't Win" | ''The Wiz'' | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Rickey Smith | "It Might Be You" | ''Tootsie'' | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Julia DeMato | "Flashdance... What a Feeling" | ''Flashdance'' | style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom three |- ! scope="row" | Kimberley Locke | "Home" | ''The Wiz'' | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |}

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Non-competition performances |- ! scope="col"| Performers ! scope="col"| Song |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Top 11 | "Footloose" |- | "(I've Had) The Time of My Life" |- ! scope="row" | Kelly Clarkson | "Anytime" |}

===Top 10 – Country rock (March 26)=== Olivia Newton-John served as a guest judge this week.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2003-03-26-idol_x.htm | work=USA Today | title=Rating 'Idol' hopefuls | date=March 26, 2003}}</ref> Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Contestant ! scope="col"| Country rock song ! scope="col"| Result |- ! scope="row" | Joshua Gracin | "Ain't Goin' Down ('Til The Sun Comes Up)" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Trenyce | "I Need You" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Kimberley Locke | "I Can't Make You Love Me" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Corey Clark | "Drift Away" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe{{efn|Corey Clark was disqualified before the following week's performance.}} |- ! scope="row" | Carmen Rasmusen | "Wild Angels" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Rickey Smith | "I've Done Enough Dyin' Today" | style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom three |- ! scope="row" | Kimberly Caldwell |"Anymore" |style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom two |- ! scope="row" | Ruben Studdard | "Sweet Home Alabama" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Julia DeMato | "Breathe" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Clay Aiken | "Someone Else's Star" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |}

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Non-competition performances |- ! scope="col"| Performers ! scope="col"| Song |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Top 10 | "Where the Blacktop Ends" |- | "God Bless the U.S.A." |} {{notelist}}

===Top 8 – Disco (April 1)=== Verdine White served as a guest judge this week. Because of Corey Clark's disqualification, no one was eliminated after this round. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Contestant ! scope="col"| Disco song ! scope="col"| Result |- ! scope="row" | Rickey Smith | "Let's Groove" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Carmen Rasmusen | "Turn the Beat Around" | style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom two{{efn|name=Clark disqualified|It was never revealed whether Trenyce or Carmen had received the fewest number of votes that week as both were declared safe.}} |- ! scope="row" | Kimberly Caldwell | "Knock on Wood" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Clay Aiken | "Everlasting Love" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Trenyce | "I'm Every Woman" | style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom two{{efn|name=Clark disqualified}} |- ! scope="row" | Ruben Studdard | "Can't Get Enough of Your Love, Babe" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Kimberley Locke | "It's Raining Men" | style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom three |- ! scope="row" | Joshua Gracin | "Celebration" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |}

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Non-competition performances |- ! scope="col"| Performers ! scope="col"| Song |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Top 8 | "A Night to Remember" |- | "Boogie Wonderland" |- ! scope="row" | Lee Greenwood | "God Bless the U.S.A." |} {{notelist}}

=== Top 8 – ''Billboard'' number ones (April 9) === Lionel Richie served as a guest judge this week. Contestants performed one song from the list of ''Billboard'' number one hits, and are listed in the order they performed.

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Contestant ! scope="col"| Song ! scope="col"| Result |- ! scope="row" | Clay Aiken | "At This Moment" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Kimberley Locke | "My Heart Will Go On" | style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom three |- ! scope="row" | Rickey Smith |"Endless Love" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Kimberly Caldwell | "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" | style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom two |- ! scope="row" | Joshua Gracin | "Amazed" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Carmen Rasmusen | "Call Me" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Trenyce | "The Power of Love" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Ruben Studdard | "Kiss and Say Goodbye" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |}

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Non-competition performances |- ! scope="col"| Performers ! scope="col"| Song |- ! scope="row" | Top 8 | "All Night Long (All Night)" |- ! scope="row" | Kelly Clarkson | "Miss Independent" |}

===Top 7 – Billy Joel (April 16)=== Smokey Robinson served as a guest judge this week. Contestants performed songs from the Billy Joel discography, and are listed in the order they performed. Joel did not mentor the contestants, but did record snippets in which he reflected upon the songwriting backstory of each song choice.

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Contestant ! scope="col"| Billy Joel song ! scope="col"| Result |- ! scope="row" | Kimberly Caldwell | "It's Still Rock and Roll to Me" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Ruben Studdard | "Just the Way You Are" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Kimberley Locke | "New York State of Mind" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Carmen Rasmusen | "And So It Goes" | style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom two |- ! scope="row" | Joshua Gracin | "Piano Man" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Trenyce | "Baby Grand" | style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom three |- ! scope="row" | Clay Aiken | "Tell Her About It" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |}

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Non-competition performances |- ! scope="col"| Performers ! scope="col"| Song |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Top 7 | "The Longest Time" |- | "God Bless the U.S.A."{{efn|Worth noting is that "God Bless the U.S.A." is not a Billy Joel song.}} |}

===Top 6 – Diane Warren (April 23)=== Diane Warren served as this week's guest mentor and guest judge. Contestants are listed in the order they performed.

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Contestant ! scope="col"| Diane Warren song ! scope="col"| Result |- ! scope="row" | Kimberley Locke | "If You Asked Me To" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Clay Aiken | "I Could Not Ask for More" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |- ! scope="row" | Trenyce | "Have You Ever?" | style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom three |- ! scope="row" | Joshua Gracin | "That's When I'll Stop Loving You" | style="background:#e0f0ff"|Bottom two |- ! scope="row" | Carmen Rasmusen | "Love Will Lead You Back" | bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- ! scope="row" | Ruben Studdard | "Music of My Heart" | style="background:#FDFC8F;|Safe |}

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Non-competition performance |- ! scope="col"| Performers ! scope="col"| Song |- ! scope="row" | Top 6 | "Shine" |}

===Top 5 – Music from the 1960s & Neil Sedaka (April 30)=== Neil Sedaka served as a guest judge this week. Contestants performed two songs each: one from the 1960s and one from the Neil Sedaka discography. Contestants are listed in the order they performed. {| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Contestant ! scope="col"| Order ! scope="col"| Song ! scope="col"| Result |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Ruben Studdard | 1 | "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" | rowspan="2" style="background:#B0E0E6" |Bottom two |- | 6 | "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Trenyce | 2 | "Proud Mary" | rowspan="2" style="background:#FF91A4;" |Eliminated |- | 7 | "Love Will Keep Us Together" |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Joshua Gracin | 3 | "Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye" | rowspan="2" style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe |- | 8 | "Bad Blood" |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Kimberley Locke | 4 | "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" | rowspan="2" style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe |- | 9 | "Where the Boys Are" |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Clay Aiken | 5 | "Build Me Up Buttercup" | rowspan="2" style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe |- | 10 | "Solitaire" |}

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Non-competition performances |- ! scope="col"| Performers ! scope="col"| Song |- ! scope="row" | Top 5 | 1960s medley |- ! scope="row" | Top 10 | "What the World Needs Now Is Love" |- ! scope="row" | Justin Guarini | "I Saw Your Face" |}

===Top 4 – Bee Gees (May 7)=== Robin Gibb served as a guest judge this week. Contestants performed two songs each from the Bee Gees discography, and are listed in the order they performed. {| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Contestant ! scope="col"| Order ! scope="col"| Bee Gees song ! scope="col"| Result |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Joshua Gracin | 1 | "Jive Talkin'" | rowspan="2" bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- | 5 | "To Love Somebody" |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Clay Aiken | 2 | "To Love Somebody" | rowspan="2" style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe |- | 6 | "Grease" |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Kimberley Locke | 3 | "I Just Want to Be Your Everything" | rowspan="2" style="background:#e0f0ff" |Bottom two |- | 7 | "Emotion" |- ! rowspan="2" scope="row" | Ruben Studdard | 4 | "Nights on Broadway" | rowspan="2" style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe |- | 8 | "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart" |}

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Non-competition performance |- ! scope="col"| Performers ! scope="col"| Song |- ! scope="row" | Top 4 | Bee Gees medley |}

===Top 3 (May 14)=== Contestants performed three songs each: one drawn "randomly" from a fishbowl (ie. chosen by the show's producers), one chosen by one of the judges, and one chosen by the contestant. Contestants are listed in the order they performed. {| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Contestant ! scope="col"| Order ! scope="col"| Song ! scope="col"| Result |- ! rowspan="3" scope="row" | Kimberley Locke | 1 | "Band of Gold"{{efn|name=Fishbowl|This song was drawn "randomly" from a fishbowl.}} | rowspan="3" bgcolor="FF91A4" | Eliminated |- | 4 | "Anyone Who Had a Heart"{{Efn|Song chosen by Randy Jackson}} |- | 7 | "Inseparable" |- ! rowspan="3" scope="row" | Ruben Studdard | 2 | "Signed, Sealed, Delivered I'm Yours"{{efn|name=Fishbowl}} | rowspan="3" style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe |- | 5 | "Smile"{{Efn|Song chosen by Simon Cowell}} |- | 8 | "If Ever You're in My Arms Again" |- ! rowspan="3" scope="row" | Clay Aiken | 3 | "Vincent"{{efn|name=Fishbowl}} | rowspan="3" style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe |- | 6 | "Mack the Knife"{{Efn|Song chosen by Paula Abdul}} |- | 9 | "Unchained Melody" |}

{| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Non-competition performances |- ! scope="col"| Performers ! scope="col"| Song |- ! rowspan="3" scope="row" | Top 3 | "Up Where We Belong" |- | "Reunited" |- | "Solid" |- ! scope="row" | Tamyra Gray | "Over the Rainbow" |- ! scope="row" | Justin Guarini | "Unchained Melody" |} {{notelist}}

===Top 2 – Finale (May 21)=== The two finalists performed three songs each. {| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |- ! scope="col"| Contestant ! scope="col"| Order ! scope="col"| Song ! scope="col"| Result |- ! rowspan="3" scope="row" | '''Ruben Studdard''' | 1 | "A House is Not a Home" | rowspan="3" bgcolor="gold" | '''Winner''' |- | 3 | "Imagine" |- | 5 | "Flying Without Wings" |- ! rowspan="3" scope="row" | Clay Aiken | 2 | "This Is the Night" | rowspan="3" bgcolor="silver" | Runner-up |- | 4 | "Here, There and Everywhere" |- | 6 | "Bridge over Troubled Water" |} {| class="wikitable unsortable" style="text-align:center;" |+ Non-competition performances |- ! scope="col"| Performers ! scope="col"| Song |- ! scope="row" | Paul Anka | "My Way" |- ! scope="row" | Top 12{{efn|name=Top12finale|Corey Clark and Joshua Gracin were absent from the finale.}} with Kelly Clarkson | "One Voice" |- ! scope="row" | Kelly Clarkson | "Miss Independent" |- ! scope="row" | Top 12{{efn|name=Top12finale}} | Medley: "Let's Groove" "Baby Love" "The Tears of a Clown" "Midnight Train to Georgia" "Words" "Physical" "That's When the Music Takes Me" "Hello" "Rhythm of the Night" |- ! scope="row" | Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken & Kimberley Locke | "Superstar" "Over the Rainbow" "On the Wings of Love" |- ! scope="row" | Ruben Studdard | "Flying Without Wings" |- ! scope="row" | Clay Aiken | "Bridge over Troubled Water" |- ! scope="row" | Ruben Studdard & Clay Aiken | "Ain't No Stoppin' Us Now" |} {{notelist}}

==Elimination chart== '''Color key:''' {{columns-list|colwidth=20em| {{legend|gold|Winner}} {{legend|silver|Runner-up}} {{legend|#FDFC8F|Saved by the public}} {{legend|#B0E0E6|Saved by the judges}} {{legend|#E6E6FA|Wild Card}} {{legend|#e0f0ff|Bottom two or three}} {{legend|#FFEBCD|Did not perform}} {{legend|#FFB694|Disqualified}} {{legend|#FF91A4|Eliminated}} }}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:85%;" |+ ''American Idol'' (season 2) - Eliminations ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | Contestant ! scope="col" rowspan="2" | {{abbr|Pl.|Place}}

! scope="col" colspan="4" | Semifinals ! scope="col" | Wild Card ! scope="col" | Top 12 ! scope="col" | Top 11 ! scope="col" | Top 10 ! colspan="2" scope="col" | Top 8 ! scope="col" | Top 7 ! scope="col" | Top 6 ! scope="col" | Top 5 ! scope="col" | Top 4 ! scope="col" | Top 3 ! scope="col" | Finale |- ! 2/5 ! 2/12 ! 2/19 ! 2/26 ! 3/5 ! 3/12 ! 3/19 ! 3/26 ! 4/1{{efn|name=|None of the bottom three were eliminated due to Corey Clark's disqualification.}} ! 4/9 ! 4/16 ! 4/23 ! 4/30 ! 5/7 ! 5/14 ! 5/21 |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" |Ruben Studdard | 1 | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom two | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:gold;" | '''Winner''' |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" |Clay Aiken | 2 | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#E6E6FA;" | Wild Card (3rd) | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Saved | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:Silver;" | Runner-up |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" |Kimberley Locke | 3 | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom three | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom three | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom three | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" |Safe | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom two | style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated | style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" |Joshua Gracin | 4 | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom two | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated | colspan="2" style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" |Trenyce | 5 | style="background:#E6E6FA;" | Wild Card | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#B0E0E6;" | Saved | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom two | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom three | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom three | style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated | colspan="3" style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" |Carmen Rasmusen | 6 | colspan="4" style="background:#919191;" | | style="background:#B0E0E6;" | Saved | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom two | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom two | style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated | colspan="4" style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" |Kimberly Caldwell | 7 | style="background:#E6E6FA;" | Wild Card (3rd) | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#B0E0E6;" | Saved | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom two | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom two | style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated | colspan="5" style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" |Rickey Smith | 8 | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom three | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated | colspan="6" style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" |Corey Clark | 9 | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom two | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FFB694;" | Disqualified | colspan="7" style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" |Julia DeMato | 10 | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom two | style="background:#e0f0ff" | Bottom three | style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated | colspan="8" style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" |Charles Grigsby | 11 | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated | colspan="9" style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" |Vanessa Olivarez | 12 | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FDFC8F;" | Safe | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated | colspan="10" style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" |Aliceyn Cooney | rowspan="24" bgcolor="919191" | | colspan="4" style="background:#919191;" | | rowspan="5" style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated | colspan="11" rowspan="5" style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Chip Days | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#E6E6FA;" | Wild Card |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Janine Falsone | colspan="4" rowspan="2" style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Olivia Mojica |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Nasheka Siddall | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#E6E6FA;" | Wild Card |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Juanita Barber | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | rowspan="3" style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated | colspan="12" rowspan="4" style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Sylvia Chibiliti | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Ashley Hartman | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Patrick Lake | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated (3rd) |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Samantha Cohen | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated | colspan="13" rowspan="6" style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Equoia Coleman | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated (3rd) |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Louis Gazzara | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | rowspan="4" style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Kimberly Kelsey | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Jordan Segundo | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | George Trice | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Rebecca Bond | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A | rowspan="5" style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated | colspan="14" rowspan="5" style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Candice Coleman | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Jennifer Fuentes | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Hadas | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Jacob John Smalley | style="background:#FFEBCD;" | N/A |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | J.D. Adams | rowspan="4" style="background:#FF91A4;" | Eliminated | colspan="15" rowspan="4" style="background:#919191;" | |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Meosha Denton |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Patrick Fortson |- style="height:40px" ! scope="row" | Bettis Richardson |} {{notelist}}

==Controversies== The finale vote had been controversial due to the smallness of the margin. Ryan Seacrest also added fuel by mistakenly announcing the difference in vote count first as 13,000, then 1,335, but eventually revealed later to be around 130,000.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/fox-correction-ruben-studdard-won-american-idol-by-about-130000-votes-not-by-1335-or-13000-1213.php |title=FOX correction: Ruben Studdard won 'American Idol' by about 130,000 votes, not by 1,335 or 13,000 |access-date=September 22, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519063752/http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/fox-correction-ruben-studdard-won-american-idol-by-about-130000-votes-not-by-1335-or-13000-1213.php |archive-date=May 19, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> There was much discussion in the communication industry about the phone system being overloaded, and that more than 150 million votes were dropped, making the voting results suspect.<ref>[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA417981.html?display=Top+of+the+Week American Idol Outrage: Your Vote Doesn't Count] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081230074328/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA417981.html?display=Top+of+the+Week |date=December 30, 2008 }}, ''Broadcasting & Cable'', May 17, 2004.</ref> In an interview prior to the start of the fifth season, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe revealed that Clay Aiken had led the fan voting from the wild card week onward until the finale.<ref>[http://realitynewsonline.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article9455.art&page=1 Realitynewsonline.com] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080505135742/http://www.realitynewsonline.com/cgi-bin/ae.pl?mode=1&article=article9455.art&page=1 |date=May 5, 2008 }}</ref>

There was controversy when contestant Frenchie Davis was disqualified from the competition after it was revealed that she had once posed for topless photos on the Internet. Shortly afterwards, she landed a role in the Broadway musical ''Rent''.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.etonline.com/tv/186133_the_7_biggest_scandals_american_idol_history |title=The 7 Biggest Scandals in 'American Idol' History | Entertainment Tonight |date=April 5, 2016 |access-date=February 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224173357/https://www.etonline.com/tv/186133_the_7_biggest_scandals_american_idol_history |archive-date=February 24, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Corey Clark was also disqualified from the show because, according to the Idol producers, Clark had a police record he had not disclosed to the show. However, in 2005, Clark alleged in an interview on ABC's Primetime Live and in a book, ''They Told Me to Tell the Truth, So... The Sex, Lies and Paulatics of One of America's Idols'', that he and judge Paula Abdul had had an affair while he was on the show and that this contributed to his removal.<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312226_1057779,00.html |title=Foolish Hearts |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021035752/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312226_1057779,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Clark also alleged that Abdul gave him preferential treatment on the show and tips on song choice. A subsequent investigation by an independent counsel hired by Fox "could not corroborate the evidence or allegations provided by Mr. Clark or any witnesses".<ref name="paula clark">{{cite news |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/after-probe-paula-abdul-remain-idol-wbna8931265 |title=After probe, Paula Abdul to remain on 'Idol' |agency=Associated Press |date=August 24, 2005}}</ref> Paula Abdul was therefore considered exonerated but an "enhanced non-fraternization policy" was put in place after the investigation.<ref name="paula clark"/>

During the Top 10, a problem with the telephone system resulted in some votes not being registered for Julia DeMato; however, Fox insisted that the mistake would not have made any difference in her being voted off.<ref name="EW-fallen idols">{{Cite magazine |url=https://ew.com/article/2003/03/28/here-are-latest-scandals-american-idol/ |title=Fallen 'Idols' |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 2, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021035306/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312226_438272,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref>

During the course of the contest, Studdard became known for wearing 205 Flava jerseys representing his area code; when asked about them early in the season, Studdard told Seacrest that he was "just representing 205". Shortly after the end of the contest, Studdard sued 205 Flava, Inc. for $2 Million dollars for using his image for promotional purposes. 205 Flava responded by alleging that Studdard had accepted over $10,000 in return for wearing 205 shirts, and produced eight cashed checks to validate their claim. The allegations, if true, were a clear violation of the ''American Idol'' rules.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/index/articles/story.php?s=1518 |title=Reality TV world |access-date=April 14, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060529023555/http://www.realitytvworld.com/index/articles/story.php?s=1518 |archive-date=May 29, 2006 |url-status=live }}</ref> The lawsuit was settled out of court.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/ruben-studdard-settles-lawsuit-against-birmingham-jersey-maker-205-flava-2109.php |title=Reality TV world |access-date=April 14, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060326133923/http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/ruben-studdard-settles-lawsuit-against-birmingham-jersey-maker-205-flava-2109.php |archive-date=March 26, 2006 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== U.S. Nielsen ratings == The number of average viewers per episode this season was 21.7 million, an increase of 71% over the first season.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/23/business/fox-mulls-how-to-exploit-the-mojo-of-american-idol.html |title=NY Times May 23, 2003 |website=The New York Times |date=May 23, 2003 |access-date=February 18, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170331125820/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/05/23/business/fox-mulls-how-to-exploit-the-mojo-of-american-idol.html |archive-date=March 31, 2017 |url-status=live |last1=Carter |first1=Bill }}</ref> Its Wednesday episodes finished as the third most-watched show of the year averaging 21.93 million, and the Tuesday episodes fifth at 21.56 million.<ref>[https://archive.today/20120629135522/http://blog.newsok.com/television/2010/01/12/top-20-most-watched-tv-programs-in-2002-03/ Top 20 Most-Watched TV Programs in 2002-03]</ref> The show ranked second in the coveted 18/49 demographic for the 2002–2003 season.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/ruben-studdard-becomes-second-american-idol-winner-by-razor-thin-margin-1210.php |title=Ruben Studdard becomes second 'American Idol' winner by razor-thin margin |access-date=April 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811224538/http://www.realitytvworld.com/news/ruben-studdard-becomes-second-american-idol-winner-by-razor-thin-margin-1210.php |archive-date=August 11, 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> This season's finale episode still ranks as the most-watched single episode in ''Idol'' history at 38.1 million, the finale night itself averaged 33.7 million when the pre-show special is taken into consideration. The show also helped Fox become the season's number three network in total viewers for the first time.<ref>[http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/may03/may19/4_thurs/news2thursday.html Fox pulls off a sweeps squeaker] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051104025302/http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/may03/may19/4_thurs/news2thursday.html |date=November 4, 2005 }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="width:95%; margin:1em auto 1em auto;" |- ! style="background:#8b8589;" | '''Episode list''' |- |style="padding:0; border:none;"| {|class="wikitable sortable" style="margin:0; width:100%;" |- ! Show ! Episode ! Air date ! Week rank ! 18-49 rating ! Viewers (in millions) |- | 1 | "New York, Miami & Austin Auditions"<ref name="week 1">[http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/jan03/jan27/3_wed/news3wednesday.html AI week 1] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120514131919/http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/jan03/jan27/3_wed/news3wednesday.html |date=May 14, 2012 }}</ref> | January 21, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|4 | style="text-align:center;"|12.4 | style="text-align:center;"|26.5 |- | 2 | "Special: ''American Idol'' revisited"<ref name="week 1"/> | January 21, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|7 | style="text-align:center;"|11.3 | style="text-align:center;"|23.6 |- | 3 | "Pasadena & Detroit Auditions"<ref name="week 1"/> | January 22, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|5 | style="text-align:center;"|11.8 | style="text-align:center;"|24.9 |- | 4 | "Atlanta & Nashville Auditions"<ref name="AI week 2">{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,420359_2,00.html |title=A1 week 2 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021035346/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,420359_2,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | January 28, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"| 4 | style="text-align:center;"|11.6 | style="text-align:center;"|24.1 |- | 5 | "Hollywood Week"<ref name="AI week 2"/> | January 29, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"| 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 12.6 | style="text-align:center;"|26.0 |- | 6 | "Top 32: Group 1"<ref name="AI week 3">{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,422734,00.html |title=A1 week 3 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021025816/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,422734,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | February 4, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|9 | style="text-align:center;"| 9.7 | style="text-align:center;"|20.1 |- | 7 | "Top 32: Group 1 results"<ref name="AI week 3"/> | February 5, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|10 | style="text-align:center;"| 9.4 | style="text-align:center;"|19.3 |- | 8 | "Top 32: Group 2"<ref name="AI week 4">{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,422833,00.html |title=AI week 4 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021035353/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,422833,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | February 11, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|8 | style="text-align:center;"| 9.7 | style="text-align:center;"|20.0 |- | 9 | "Top 32: Group 2 results"<ref name="AI week 4"/> | February 12, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|11 | style="text-align:center;"| 9.0 | style="text-align:center;"|18.7 |- | 10 | "Top 32: Group 3"<ref name="AI week 5"/> | February 18, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|9 | style="text-align:center;"|9.2 | style="text-align:center;"|19.7 |- | 11 | "Top 32: Group 3 results"<ref name="AI week 5">[http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/feb03/feb24/3_wed/news1wednesday.html AI week 5] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184103/http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/feb03/feb24/3_wed/news1wednesday.html |date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref> | February 19, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|19 | style="text-align:center;"|7.4 | style="text-align:center;"| |- | 12 | "Special: Best of the Worst"<ref name="AI week 5"/> | February 19, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|11 | style="text-align:center;"|8.8 | style="text-align:center;"|19.5 |- | 13 | "Top 32: Group 4"<ref name="AI week 6">{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,419897,00.html |title=AI week 6 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021035544/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,419897,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | February 25, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|5 | style="text-align:center;"| 9.7 | style="text-align:center;"|20.0 |- | 14 | "Top 32: Group 4 results"<ref name="AI week 6"/> | February 26, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|12 | style="text-align:center;"| 8.7 | style="text-align:center;"|17.1 |- | 15 | "Wildcard Show"<ref name="AI week 7">{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,419879,00.html |title=AI week 7 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021035608/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,419879,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | March 4, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|3 | style="text-align:center;"|8.5 | style="text-align:center;"|18.7 |- | 16 | "Wildcard Results"<ref name="AI week 7"/> | March 5, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|4 | style="text-align:center;"|8.5 | style="text-align:center;"|18.0 |- | 17 | "Top 12 Perform"<ref name="AI week 8">{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,419858,00.html |title=AI week 8 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021035403/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,419858,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | March 11, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|2 | style="text-align:center;"|10.3 | style="text-align:center;"|22.0 |- | 18 | "Top 12 Results"<ref name="AI week 8"/> | March 12, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|9 | style="text-align:center;"| 8.7 | style="text-align:center;"|18.3 |- | 19 | "Top 11 Perform"<ref name="AI week 9">{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,440463,00.html |title=AI week 9 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021035428/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,440463,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | March 18, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|2 | style="text-align:center;"| 10.0 | style="text-align:center;"|21.1 |- | 20 | "Top 11 Results"<ref name="AI week 9" /> | March 19, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|4 | style="text-align:center;"| 7.9 | style="text-align:center;"|17.2 |- | 21 | "Top 10 Perform"<ref name="AI week 10">{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312226_439764,00.html |title=AI week 10 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021035433/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20312226_439764,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | March 25, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|1 | style="text-align:center;"| 9.4 | style="text-align:center;"|19.8 |- | 22 | "Top 10 Results"<ref name="AI week 10" /> | March 26, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|2 | style="text-align:center;"| 8.7 | style="text-align:center;"|19.0 |- | 23 | "Top 9 Perform"<ref name="AI week 11">{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,440743,00.html |title=AI week 11 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021035440/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,440743,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | April 1, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|2 | style="text-align:center;"| 9.6 | style="text-align:center;"|21.2 |- | 24 | "Top 9 Results"<ref name="AI week 11"/> | April 2, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|4 | style="text-align:center;"| 9.7 | style="text-align:center;"|20.3 |- | 25 | "Top 8 Perform"<ref name="AI week 12">[http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/apr03/apr14/3_wed/news4wednesday.html AI week 12] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184156/http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/apr03/apr14/3_wed/news4wednesday.html |date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref> | April 8, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"| 2 | style="text-align:center;"| 9.7 | style="text-align:center;"|20.1 |- | 26 | "Top 8 Results"<ref name="AI week 12"/> | April 9, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"| 3 | style="text-align:center;"| 9.4 | style="text-align:center;"|19.2 |- | 27 | "Top 7 Perform"<ref name="AI week 13">[http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/apr03/apr21/3_wed/news4wednesday.html AI week 13] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930183727/http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/apr03/apr21/3_wed/news4wednesday.html |date=September 30, 2007 }}</ref> | April 15, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"| 1 | style="text-align:center;"| 8.8 | style="text-align:center;"|20.0 |- | 28 | "Top 7 Results"<ref name="AI week 13"/> | April 16, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"| 4 | style="text-align:center;"| 8.4 | style="text-align:center;"|18.1 |- | 29 | "Special: Halfway Home"<ref name="AI week 14">{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,448961,00.html |title=AI week 14 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021035447/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,448961,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | April 21, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|12 | style="text-align:center;"| 6.2 | style="text-align:center;"|14.1 |- | 30 | "Top 6 Perform"<ref name="AI week 14" /> | April 22, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|4 | style="text-align:center;"| 9.6 | style="text-align:center;"|20.6 |- | 31 | "Top 6 Results"<ref name="AI week 14" /> | April 23, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|6 | style="text-align:center;"| 9.3 | style="text-align:center;"|19.5 |- | 32 | "Top 5 Perform"<ref name="AI week 15">{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,450460,00.html |title=AI week 15 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021035458/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,450460,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | April 29, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|2 | style="text-align:center;"|9.7 | style="text-align:center;"|20.4 |- | 33 | "Top 5 Results"<ref name="AI week 15" /> | April 30, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|3 | style="text-align:center;"|9.0 | style="text-align:center;"|20.2 |- | 34 | "Top 4 Perform"<ref name="AI week 16">{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,452310,00.html |title=AI week 16 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021035503/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,452310,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | May 6, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|4 | style="text-align:center;"| 10.1 | style="text-align:center;"|22.2 |- | 35 | "Top 4 Results"<ref name="AI week 16" /> | May 7, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|2 | style="text-align:center;"| 10.4 | style="text-align:center;"|22.7 |- | 36 | "Top 3 Perform"<ref name="AI week 17">{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,452308,00.html |title=AI week 17 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021035530/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,452308,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> | May 13, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|4 | style="text-align:center;"| 10.7 | style="text-align:center;"|23.4 |- | 37 | "Top 3 Results"<ref name="AI week 17" /> | May 14, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|2 | style="text-align:center;"| 11.4 | style="text-align:center;"|25.3 |- | 38 | "Top 2 Special"<ref name="AI week 18">[http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/may03/may27/4_thurs/news3thursday.html AI week 18] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090217142202/http://www.medialifemagazine.com/news2003/may03/may27/4_thurs/news3thursday.html |date=February 17, 2009 }}</ref> | May 19, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|8 | style="text-align:center;"|7.4 | style="text-align:center;"|16.9 |- | 39 | "Top 2 Showdown"<ref name="AI week 18" /> | May 20, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|3 | style="text-align:center;"| 11.2 | style="text-align:center;"|25.7 |- | 40 | "Finale Pre-show Special"<ref name="AI week 18" /> | May 21, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|2 | style="text-align:center;"| 13.1 | style="text-align:center;"|30.4 |- | 41 | "American Idol Season 2 Finale"<ref name="AI week 18" /> | May 21, 2003 | style="text-align:center;"|1 | style="text-align:center;"|16.8 | style="text-align:center;"|38.1 |} |}

A couple of specials were aired later in the year - ''From Justin To Kelly: The Rise of Two American Idols'' on June 20, 2003, and ''American Idol: Christmas Songs'' on November 25, 2003, the latter of which was ranked number 30 with total viewer number of 10.9 million,<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,556226,00.html |title=Big 'Mac' |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |access-date=April 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121021051045/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,556226,00.html |archive-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and number 28 in the 18/49 demo with a 4.1 rating.

==Releases== ===Compilations=== *'''American Idol Season 2: All-Time Classic American Love Songs''' (Album, 2003) *'''American Idol: The Great Holiday Classics''' (Feat. Ruben Studdard, Clay Aiken, Kimberley Locke - Album, 2003) *'''American Christmas''' (Feat. Trenyce, Frenchie Davis - Album, 2008)

==Tour== * American Idols Live! Tour 2003

==External links== *[http://www.americanidol.com/contestants/season2/ Official American Idol Contestants Website] * {{IMDb episodes|0319931}}

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:American Idol seasons Category:2003 American television seasons