Kris Allen23 (born June 21, 1985) from Conway, Arkansas – a college student who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. He's best known for his group performance of "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5 during Hollywood week with a group called White Chocolate.
Semi-final song(s): "Man in the Mirror" (Michael Jackson)
Megan Joy Corkrey23 (born August 5, 1985) from Sandy, Utah – a font designer auditioned in Salt Lake City, Utah with the song "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man."
Semi-final song(s): "Put Your Records On" (Corinne Bailey Rae) and "Black Horse and the Cherry Tree" (KT Tunstall)
Anoop Desai22 (born December 20, 1986) from Chapel Hill, North Carolina – a college student who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. He impressed the judges when he auditioned in Kansas City.[17] While at school he was one of the lead singers of the UNC Clef Hangers, a vocal group that covered multiple genres of music. Desai was announced as the 13th finalist after the judges increased the finals into a Top 13.
Semi-final song(s): "Angel of Mine" (Monica) and "My Prerogative" (Bobby Brown)
Matt Giraud23 (born May 11, 1985) from Kalamazoo, Michigan – a dueling pianist who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. For his audition he sang "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin Degraw. His group version of "I Want You Back" and "Georgia on My Mind" made him a judge favorite.
Semi-final song(s): "Viva la Vida" (Coldplay) and "Who's Lovin' You" (Jackson 5)
Danny Gokey28 (born April 24, 1980) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin – a praise and worship music director who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri along with best friend Jamar Rogers. Both made it to the Hollywood rounds, but Rogers was eliminated at week's end. Four weeks before the audition, Gokey's wife, Sophia, diagnosed with a congenital heart disease, passed away. His wife had motivated him to try out before she died. He is a judge favorite.
Semi-final song(s): "Hero" (Mariah Carey)
Alexis Grace21 (born June 9, 1987), from Memphis, Tennessee – a stay-at-home mom who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. Has a young daughter and is engaged to marry the child's father. After her Top 36 performance, Cowell compared her to Kelly Clarkson.
Semi-final song(s): "I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)" (Aretha Franklin)
Allison Iraheta16 (born April 27, 1992) from Los Angeles, California – a high school student who auditioned in San Francisco, California. In 2006, she won $50,000 and a recording contract after competing in a Telemundo reality show, Quinceañera. After her top 36 performance, Cowell declared Iraheta is "one to watch in this competition".
Semi-final song(s): "Alone" (Heart)
Adam Lambert27 (born January 29, 1982) from Hollywood, California – a stage actor who auditioned in San Francisco, California. Before auditioning for American Idol, he was in the touring and Los Angeles casts of Wicked. His performances of "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "Believe" made him a judge favorite.
Semi-final song(s): "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (The Rolling Stones)
Scott MacIntyre23 (born June 22, 1985) from Scottsdale, Arizona – a pianist who auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona who is almost blind. MacIntyre plays several instruments including the piano. Classically trained, he has been internationally profiled on various TV affiliates such as CNN, national and local news, radio, and print media as pianist, vocalist, and songwriter.
Semi-final song(s): "Mandolin Rain" (Bruce Hornsby and the Range)
Jasmine Murray16 (born March 14, 1992) from Starkville, Mississippi – a high school student who auditioned in Jacksonville, Florida with the song "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie. She was Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen 2007.
Semi-final song(s): "Love Song" (Sara Bareilles) and "Reflection" (Christina Aguilera)
Jorge Nuñez20 (born May 12, 1988) from Cidra, Puerto Rico – a college student who auditioned in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is fluent in English, French, and Spanish, and is the first Puerto Rican finalist in American Idol history. His idols are Luis Fonsi and Marc Anthony.
Semi-final song(s): "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me" (Elton John)
Lil Rounds24 (born November 14, 1984) from Memphis, Tennessee – auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. Her house in Memphis was previously destroyed by a tornado on February 5, 2008. Since her audition, Rounds has been a judge favorite.
Semi-final song(s): "Be Without You" (Mary J. Blige)
Michael Sarver28 (born February 9, 1981), from Jasper, Texas – an oil rig roughneck worker who auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona. Is married, and has two children.
Semi-final song(s): "I Don't Want to Be" (Gavin DeGraw)