Idol Introspective, Part 1

I, like many, many others past and present, have been way too emotionally invested in at least one season of American Idol. It was the first reality show I ever truly got into, and I've found a great many artists that I still love to listen to to this day thanks to the show, especially its earlier seasons. I thought this series would be a fun way to catch up and reminisce about the different contestants all the way back to the very beginning, since there are people out there today who don't know that some of these guys got their start on this very show.

The inaugural season of American Idol ran from June 11th, 2002 to September 4th, 2002 on Fox. Hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Brian Dinkleman, the original (and honestly best) judges panel included singer and entertainer Paula Abdul, TV personality and businessman Simon Cowell, and record executive and TV presenter Randy Jackson. After auditions in 7 US cities, 121 contestants received their "Golden Ticket" to Hollywood for a chance to be a Top 10 finalist and perform weekly on national television. The contestants were not only judged by Abdul, Cowell, and Jackson, but also voted on by the public via call-in votes. The winner of Season 1 received a million dollar record deal with RCA Records and a trip to Turks & Caicos.

For this series, we'll take a look at each of the Top 10 or 12 (depending on the season) contestants and a song of theirs. The songs will be dependent on if they've put out any music that's streaming, or it will be a memorable performance from their time on the show. Let's get started way back at the beginning!

10th Place - Ejay Day, Lawrenceville, Georgia

Spotlight Song: I'll Be (written by E. McCain)

10th Place in Season 1 went to Georgia's Ejay Day, who was 20 at the time of competition. He auditioned in Atlanta, Georgia with the Oleta Adams song Get Here, and actually didn't originally qualify for the Top 10 but got bumped up when someone else was disqualified for lying about their age. Day was eliminated in Week 1 (MoTown Week) after singing My Girl by The Temptations, alongside Jim Verraros as it was a double elimination week. Now 43, Day is a singer and songwriter focusing on R&B and pop music. He's released six singles since 2003, but he's not streaming on Apple Music and has never released a full studio album. He also did stints performing on Royal Caribbean and Holland America cruise ships. His "Greatest Moment" that was recorded for the cast compilation CD was Edwin McCain's I'll Be, and you can listen to it on YouTube. His voice isn't my favorite, but I'd be very interested to hear how it's grown in the last 23 years.

The strands in your eyes that color me wonderful/Stop me and steal my breath/And emeralds from mountains and thrusts towards the sky/Never revealing their depths/And tell me that we belong together/And dress it up with the trappings of love/I’ll be captivated, I’ll hang from your lips/Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above/And I’ll be your crying shoulder/I’ll be love’s suicide/And I’ll be better when I’m older/I’ll be the greatest fan of your life

9th Place - Jim Verraros, Crystal Lake, Illinois

Spotlight Song: Move (composer unknown)

9th Place went to Illinois's Jim Verraros, who was 19 at the time of competition. He auditioned in Chicago, Illinois with the Nat King Cole song When I Fall In Love, was the first ever Idol contestant to come out (during the show, actually), and was the show's only openly gay contestant for over three years. Verraros was eliminated in Week 1 (MoTown Week) after singing Easy by The Commodores, alongside Ejay Day as it was a double elimination week. Now 42, Verraros is a singer, songwriter, and actor focusing on pop rock and dance music. He's released two studio albums since 2005 (Rollercoaster and Do Not Disturb), both of which are streaming on Apple Music. His "Greatest Moment" that was recorded for the cast compilation CD was The Commodores' Easy, which isn't a bad cover even if his voice isn't the strongest. Move is the opening track from his debut rock album Rollercoaster in 2005, and I will be very honest that I did not like it. It's probably great for someone out there, just not me.

Push me, pull me, how do you want me/Touch me, tease me, love it when you taunt me/Don’t try to hide, you know you want to flaunt me/Ollie ollie oxen free, you caught me/Push me, pull me, how do you want me/Touch me, tease me, love it when you taunt me/Don’t try to hide it, you know you want to flaunt me/Ollie ollie oxen free, you caught me/Move, just a little bit closer/Move, can you feel my body/Move, ‘cause my temperature’s rising/Move, come on, baby, make your move/Move, just a little bit closer/Move, can you feel my body/Move, ‘cause my temperature’s rising/Move, come on, baby, make your move/No question, you want it, come and get it while it's waiting for ya/Don't tell nobody 'bout this freaky thing I'm gonna show ya/No question, you want it, come and get it while it's waiting for ya/Don't tell nobody 'bout this freaky thing I'm gonna show ya

8th Place - AJ Gil, Tacoma, Washington

Spotlight Song: My Cherie Amour (written by S. Morris, H. Cosby, S. Moy)

8th Place went to Washington's AJ Gil, who was 17 at the time of competition. He auditioned in Seattle, Washington with the national anthem The Star-Spangled Banner and was the first ever Latino Idol contestant. Gil was eliminated in Week 2 ('60s Week) after singing How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You) by Marvin Gaye. Now 41, Gil is a singer, songwriter, and actor focusing on pop, R&B, and Christian music. He's released two mixtapes since 2011 but he is not currently streaming on Apple Music. His "Greatest Moment" that was recorded for the cast compilation CD was Stevie Wonder's My Cherie Amour which you can listen to on YouTube. Honestly, considering he was an actual child at the time, this isn't the worst thing I've ever heard. Like Ejay Day, I'd be interested in hearing what he sounds like today.

My cherie amour, lovely as a summer day/My cherie amour, distant as the Milky Way/My cherie amour, pretty little one that I adore/You're the only girl my heart beats for, how I wish that you were mine/In a cafe, or sometimes on a crowded street/I’ve been near you, but you never noticed me/My cherie amour, won't you tell me how could you ignore/That behind that little smile I wore how I wish that you were mine

7th Place - Ryan Starr, Los Angeles, California

Spotlight Song: If You Really Love Me (written by S. Morris, S. Wright)

7th Place went to California's Tiffany Montgomery, who adopted the stage name Ryan Starr for the show and was 19 at the time of competition. She auditioned in Los Angeles, California with the Bill Withers song Lean On Me. Starr was eliminated in Week 3 ('70s Week) after singing Last Dance by Donna Summer. Now 42, Starr is a singer focusing on alternative rock music. She has never released a full album, but she's been a featured artist on a few songs. Her "Greatest Moment" that was recorded for the cast compilation CD was Stevie Wonder's If You Really Love Me, which you can listen to on YouTube. I'm not the biggest fan of the song, but Starr's vocals honestly aren't bad and she has a pretty nice, rich tone to her voice. I'd again be intrigued to hear her more matured vocals.

And if you really love me, won't you tell me, yeah/And if you really need me, won't you tell me, yeah/Then I won't have to be playing around/You call my name, ooh, so sweet to make your kiss incomplete/When your mood is clear, you quickly change your ways/Then you say I'm untrue, what am I supposed to do/Be a fool who sits alone waiting for you

6th Place - Christina Christian, New York City, New York

Spotlight Song: Ain't No Sunshine (written by W. Withers)

6th Place went to New York's Christina Christian, who was 21 at the time of competition. She auditioned in Miami, Florida with the Stevie Wonder song Isn't She Lovely. Christian was eliminated in Week 4 (Big Band Week) after singing The Glory of Love by Benny Goodman. She actually collapsed backstage the night she was eliminated while waiting for the results and had to be hospitalized, but she made a full recovery. Now 44, Christian is married to Nicholas Cewe, whom she was engaged to during the show, and they have three kids together. She has never released a full album, but as of 2012 was an account manager for an IT Company. Her "Greatest Moment" that was recorded for the cast compilation CD was Bill Withers's Ain't No Sunshine, which you can listen to on YouTube. I have always loved her cover of this song, and I'm honestly really surprised she didn't place higher. She has a nice vibrato to her voice, and her version of this already great song is just cool.

Ain't no sunshine when she's gone/It's not warm when she's away/Ain't no sunshine when she's gone, and she's always gone too long/Anytime she goes away/Wonder this time where she's gone/Wonder if she's gone to stay/Ain't no sunshine when she's gone, and this house just ain't no home/Anytime she goes away

5th Place - R.J. Helton, Cumming, Georgia

Spotlight Song: Even If (composer unknown)

5th Place went to Georgia's R.J. Helton, who was 21 at the time of competition. They auditioned in Atlanta, Georgia with the Jackson 5 song Never Can Say Goodbye, and though they originally didn't qualify for the Top 10 they were saved by the judges in the Wild Card round of Semifinals. Helton was eliminated in Week 5 (Burt Bacharach Week) after singing Arthur's Theme (Best That You Can Do) by Christopher Cross. Now 44, Helton is a singer and songwriter focusing on Christian pop music. They came out as gay in 2006 and as non-binary in 2024. They released a studio album in 2004, but it's not streaming on Apple Music. Their "Greatest Moment" that was recorded for the cast compilation CD was Stevie Wonder's Lately. Even If was released as a single in 2020 and is streaming on Apple Music. I've never been the biggest fan of their voice, and honestly I'm not crazy about this song either.

In this moment, I will have no fears/There ain’t gonna be no doubt, ain’t gonna be no tears/As I’m walking on this road of my faith/I won’t let anything stand in my way/Even if the sun refuses to shine, even if the moon was to run and hide/Even if the shadows cover the ground, even if the pathways couldn’t be found/Even if my eyes failed to see the way, this is the testimony I would say/That You have always brought me through the night, You are still the love, the love of my life

4th Place - Tamyra Gray, Atlanta, Georgia

Spotlight Song: All Kinds of People (Unplugged) (written by J. Elofsson, D. Lewis, T. Babalola)

4th Place went to Georgia's Tamyra Gray, who was 23 at the time of competition. She auditioned in Atlanta, Georgia with the Mariah Carey song Visions of Love and was immediately a favorite for the winner's spot. In one of the biggest shocks of the show's history, Gray was eliminated in Week 6 ('80s and '90s Week) after singing New Attitude by Patti LaBelle and Feel the Fire by Stephanie Mills. Now 46, Gray is a singer, songwriter, and actress focusing on R&B and soul music. She's also spent some time on the Broadway stage appearing in various musicals. She released a studio album in 2004, but it's not streaming on Apple Music. Her "Greatest Moment" that was recorded for the cast compilation CD was Dionne Warwick's A House is Not a Home. All Kinds of People (Unplugged) was released as a single in 2024 and is streaming on Apple Music. I cannot lie, Gray has a truly outstanding voice, and it is shocking that she only placed 4th. I encourage you to also check out the duet she did with Kelly Clarkson on the Thankful album, You Thought Wrong, because it's been a favorite of mine for two decades.

We heard doomsday preachers talking, now the call comes from the youth/They say the countdown clock is ticking, you can’t fake the truth/It’s not just propaganda, another mindless point of view/You can feel it, now it’s getting warmer, what can we do/One day, maybe one day/The sun may come down/It takes all kinds of people from all walks of life/it takes all kind of people who dare compromise/It takes so much more than a single prayer, everyone around has got to care/All souls aware to turn this ship around

3rd Place - Nikki McKibbin, Grand Prairie, Texas

Spotlight Song: Cry Little Sister (Live) (written by J. Cannizzaro)

3rd Place went to Texas's Nikki McKibbin, who was 23 at the time of competition. She auditioned in Dallas, Texas with the Gloria Gaynor song I Will Survive and the Whitney Houston song One Moment In Time. McKibbin was eliminated in Week 7 (where the contestant picked a song for themself and also had a song picked for them one of the judges) after singing Edge of Seventeen by Stevie Nicks and Black Velvet by Alannah Miles. McKibbin was a singer/songwriter who focused on rock music, was married to her husband Craig Sadler, and had a son, Tristen, from a previous relationship. Sadly, she passed away in 2020 at age 42 from complications due to a brain aneurysm, becoming the fourth Idol contestant to pass. She released a studio album in 2007, Unleashed, that is streaming on Apple Music. Her "Greatest Moment" that was recorded for the cast compilation CD was Erma Franklin's Piece of My Heart. Cry Little Sister (Live) was featured on the 2007 album Unleashed. I never minded McKibbin's voice, really liking her rock tone, and also loved that she was from north Texas. I am a little surprised she placed as high as she did, but she's good to listen to if rock is your thing.

Cry, little sister/Come, come to your brother/One thing about living in Dallas, Texas/I never coulda stung all the damn vampires/Last fire will rise behind those eyes/Black house will rock, blind boys don’t lie/Immortal fear, that voice so clear/Through broken walls, that scream I hear

2nd Place - Justin Guarini, Doylestown, Pennsylvania

Spotlight Song: Timeless (written by A. Bagge, O. Merner, P. Astrom, K. Poole, H. Norberg)

2nd Place went to Pennsylvania's Justin Guarini, who was 23 at the time of competition. He auditioned in New York City, New York with the Jackson 5 song Who's Lovin' You. Guarini was named Runner-Up in Week 8 (the Finals) after singing Idol originals Before Your Love and A Moment Like This and Get Here by Brenda Russell. Now 46, he is a singer, songwriter, actor, and television host who focuses on jazz music. He also popularly has been the Diet Dr. Pepper mascot Lil' Sweet since 2015. He has released two studio albums since 2002, both of which are streaming on Apple Music. His "Greatest Moments" that were recorded for the cast compilation CD were Stevie Wonder's For Once In My Life and Brenda Russell's Get Here. Timeless was featured on the 2002 album Justin Guarini and features vocals from Kelly Clarkson as well. I have never been a fan of Guarini's, not liking his musical style and also being put off by his personality. I would've much preferred to see Kelly and Tamyra as the Top 2.

Baby, come close, let me tell you this/In a whisper, my heart says you know it, too/Baby, we both share a secret wish/And you’re feeling my love reaching out to you/Timeless, don’t let it end, no/Now that you’re right here in my arms where you should stay/Hold tight, baby/Timeless, don’t let it fade out of sight/Just let the moment sweep us both away/Lifting us to where we both agree this is timeless love

1st Place - Kelly Clarkson, Burleson, Texas

Spotlight Song: Since U Been Gone (written by K. Sandberg, L. Gottwald)

The first ever title of American Idol went to Texas's Kelly Clarkson, who was 20 at the time of competition. She auditioned in Dallas, Texas with the Etta James song At Last and the Madonna song Express Yourself, and is currently the only Idol winner to not have her audition televised. Clarkson was crowned winner in Week 8 (the Finals) after singing Idol originals Before Your Love and A Moment Like This and Respect by Aretha Franklin. Now 43, she is a household name as a singer, songwriter, television personality, and author who focuses on pop, pop rock, and R&B music. She has two children with her ex-husband Brandon Blackstock, has won three Grammys for her music and eight Daytime Emmys for her daytime talk show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, which she's hosted since 2019. Clarkson has released ten studio albums since 2003, all of which are streaming on Apple Music and all of which are bangers (yes I'm biased). Her "Greatest Moments" that were recorded for the cast compilation CD were Aretha Franklin's (You Make Me Feel Like A) Natural Woman and Franklin's Respect, as well as her versions of Before Your Love and A Moment Like This. Since U Been Gone was featured on the 2004 album Breakaway, one of my favorite albums of all time, and is currently her most popular song on Apple Music. If you're new to this blog, you should know I would follow this woman into battle I'm such a huge fan. She was well-deserving of the win, and is such an absolute delight in every way as an entertainer.

Here’s the thing, we started out friends/It was cool, but it was all pretend/Yeah, yeah, since you been gone/You dedicated, you took the time/Wasn’t long ’til I called you mine/Yeah, yeah, since you been gone/And all you’d ever hear me say is how I pictured me with you/That’s all you’d ever hear me say/But since you been gone/I can breathe for the first time/I’m so moving on, yeah, yeah/Thanks to you, now I get what I want/Since you been gone

I hope you had fun checking out this first chapter of history for this show, and I'm looking forward to continuing. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!