Seasons · Fox

Season 3 (2004)

Aired on Fox from January 19, 2004 to May 26, 2004. The 12 finalists (Top 12): the contestants listed for season 3 in the Contestants table of Wikipedia's List of American Idol finalists. The same 12 names appear in the season article's Top 12 finalists section and elimination chart.^⁠[1][2]

Finalists

• Winner
• Runner-up
• Other finalists

Season 3 finalists: show result, then career after the show

Finalist	Show result	After the show
Fantasia Barrino	Winner⁠[1][2][3] Last competed May 26, 2004	Fantasia Barrino is set to headline The Love of Soul Tour, a 24-date U.S. arena tour with Anthony Hamilton and October London from February to May 2027, announced in September 2026. She is also in the cast of Tyler Perry's The Gospel of Christmas, a Netflix holiday film on the service's 2026 slate.⁠[4][5][6][7]
Diana DeGarmo	Runner-up⁠[1][2][3] Last competed May 26, 2004	Latest documented update (August 1, 2024): Diana DeGarmo has worked mainly in musical theatre since 2005, with two Broadway credits (Hairspray and Hair) and several national tours. An August 2024 report announced her as Audrey in a production of Little Shop of Horrors at the Art Farm at Serenbe in Georgia, scheduled for September 20 to 29, 2024. Her most recent album, Gemini, came out on August 2, 2019.⁠[8][9][10][11]
JTJasmine Trias	Eliminated 3rd⁠[1][2] Last competed May 19, 2004	Latest documented update (November 2014): Jasmine Trias has released one studio album, the self-titled Jasmine Trias (2005), issued in the United States by Clockwork Entertainment and in the Philippines by Universal Records. Her later documented work includes Philippine television through 2009 and a live act with singer Ben Stone that a 2014 Chicago concert listing tied to the Las Vegas Strip.⁠[12][13][14]
LaToya London	Eliminated 4th⁠[1][2] Last competed May 12, 2004	LaToya London is a singer and stage actress who releases music on her own label, RS Music Group. Her recent releases include the single Forever (2020) and a 2022 duet with Anthony Hamilton, On Everything, and in 2023 she was a featured singer on a Raphael Saadiq tour. An Alpharetta, Georgia event listing billed her with Eric Moore in Timeless, a show of classic duets, on August 22, 2025.⁠[15][16]
George Huff	Eliminated 5th⁠[1][2] Last competed May 5, 2004	Latest documented update (2020): George Huff sings contemporary gospel and R&B. After gospel albums on Word (2005) and Koch (2009), he released R&B singles independently in the mid-2010s, and his Qobuz discography lists a release titled The Chase dated 2020. He has often sung backup for Jennifer Hudson.⁠[17][18]
John Stevens	Eliminated 6th⁠[1][2] Last competed April 28, 2004	Latest documented update (March 12, 2024): John Stevens sings Great American Songbook material with big bands and orchestras, including the Beantown Swing Orchestra and his own John Stevens Band, formed in 2012. In March 2024 he was announced as guest vocalist for the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra's Sinatra, Martin & More concert in Vero Beach, Florida.⁠[19][20]
Jennifer Hudson	Eliminated 7th⁠[1][2] Last competed April 21, 2004	Jennifer Hudson hosts the syndicated daytime talk show The Jennifer Hudson Show, which started in September 2022; its fifth season was set to premiere on September 14, 2026. She is a producer of a Broadway revival of Dreamgirls that was announced to open in fall 2026. Her most recent album, the Christmas album The Gift of Love (Interscope, October 2024), received a Grammy nomination for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album in 2026.⁠[21][22][23][24][25]
JPJon Peter Lewis	Eliminated 8th⁠[1][2] Last competed April 15, 2004	Latest documented update (2015): Jon Peter Lewis has released his music independently since 2006. With Ryan Hayes he formed the folk duo Midas Whale, which reached the knockout rounds of NBC's The Voice season 4 in 2013 and self-released the album Sugar House in February 2014. His site also lists the later EP Roughcuts.⁠[26][27][28][29]
Camile Velasco	Eliminated 9th⁠[1][2] Last competed April 7, 2004	Latest documented update (March 23, 2025): Camile Velasco performs reggae and hip-hop under the stage name Eli-Mac, which she adopted in 2014. Her most recent EP is Tricky One (2018), and she has toured with The Green, Sublime and J. Boog. In March 2025 she said she would perform at ArtsQuest's ReggaeFest at SteelStacks in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, on July 5, 2025.⁠[30][31][32]
AAAmy Adams	Eliminated 10th⁠[1][2] Last competed March 31, 2004	Latest documented update (2004): Amy Adams, a singer from Bakersfield, California, finished 10th on the third season of American Idol and then performed on the American Idols Live! Tour 2004 with the season's Top 10.⁠[1][33]
MRMatt Rogers	Eliminated 11th⁠[1][2] Last competed March 24, 2004	Latest documented update (September 12, 2015): Matt Rogers works as a television host. After American Idol he hosted Really Big Things on Discovery (2007), There Goes the Neighborhood (2009), Beat the Chefs on GSN (2012) and the Lifetime series Coming Home. In September 2015 Discovery named him host of The Dirt, the companion show to Gold Rush, from October 2015.⁠[34][35]
Leah LaBelle	Eliminated 12th⁠[1][2] Last competed March 17, 2004	Latest documented update (September 7, 2018): Leah LaBelle died on January 31, 2018, at age 31, in a single-vehicle car crash in Los Angeles. After American Idol she worked as a backing vocalist and signed with Epic Records in 2011; her singles included Sexify (2012) and Lolita (2013), and her debut album was never released. A posthumous EP, Love to the Moon, came out in September 2018.⁠[36][37]

Sources

37 sources

1. American Idol season 3 — Wikipedia, updated August 19, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
   Cited parts (8) of source 1

   • Infobox (first aired, last aired); lead section; Top 12 finalists section; elimination chart: “The third season of American Idol premiered on Monday, January 19, 2004, and continued until May 26, 2004.”
   • Elimination chart row Fantasia Barrino: Pl. 1, Winner in the Finale column (5/26); ratings table episode 'American Idol Season 3 Finale', May 26, 2004
   • Lead section: “The third season was won by Fantasia Barrino, who defeated Diana DeGarmo by an approximate margin of 2% (1.3 million votes)”
   • Elimination chart row Diana DeGarmo: Pl. 2, Runner-up in the Finale column (5/26); ratings table episode 'American Idol Season 3 Finale', May 26, 2004
   • Elimination chart row Jasmine Trias: Pl. 3, Eliminated in the Top 3 column (5/19); ratings table episode 'Top 3 Results', May 19, 2004
   • Elimination chart row LaToya London: Pl. 4, Eliminated in the Top 4 column (5/12); ratings table episode 'Top 4 Results', May 12, 2004
   • Elimination chart row George Huff: Pl. 5, Eliminated in the Top 5 column (5/5); ratings table episode 'Top 5 Results', May 5, 2004
   • Semifinals section: “George Huff replaced Donnie Williams after the latter was disqualified, following a DUI arrest.”
2. List of American Idol finalists — Wikipedia, updated June 10, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
   Cited parts (8) of source 2

   • Contestants table, rows with season 3
   • Contestants table, row Fantasia Barrino: season 3, place finish Winner
   • Contestants table, row Diana DeGarmo: season 3, place finish Runner-up
   • Contestants table, row Jasmine Trias: season 3, place finish 3rd
   • Contestants table, row LaToya London: season 3, place finish 4th
   • Contestants table, row George Huff: season 3, place finish 5th
   • Contestants table, row John Stevens: season 3, place finish 6th
   • Contestants table, row Jennifer Hudson: season 3, place finish 7th
3. Fantasia Wins 'American Idol' — CBS News (CBS/AP). News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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   • Article text: “Fantasia Barrino's fantasy of pop stardom became a reality Wednesday night when she was named the winner of "American Idol."”
   • Article text: “Barrino grabbed runner-up Diana DeGarmo in a bear hug and twisted her around as tears streamed down her face.”
4. Fantasia To Headline 'The Love Of Soul' Tour Featuring Anthony Hamilton, October London — RTTNews, published October 3, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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   • Paragraph 1: “a 24-date U.S. arena run stretching from February through May 2027”
5. Fantasia, Anthony Hamilton & October London Unite For 'The Love Of Soul Tour' In 2027 — SoulBounce, published September 28, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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   • Tour dates paragraph: “The shows kick off in Washington, D.C. on February 5, 2027”
6. 'Tyler Perry's The Gospel Of Christmas' To Star Fantasia, Tank, Shirley Casear, The Clark Sisters And More — Blavity, published January 7, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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   • Headline: “'Tyler Perry's The Gospel Of Christmas' To Star Fantasia, Tank, Shirley Casear, The Clark Sisters And More”
7. Fantasia (singer) — Wikipedia, updated September 18, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
   Cited parts (1) of source 7

   • Career, 2017–present: “In January 2026, it was announced that Barrino will star in Tyler Perry's upcoming film, The Gospel of Christmas for Netflix.”
8. American Idol alumni to star in Little Shop of Horrors at Art Farm at Serenbe — Rough Draft Atlanta, published August 1, 2024. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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   • Article body: “DeGarmo will star as Audrey, Seymour's coworker and love interest.”
9. Diana DeGarmo — Wikipedia, updated September 1, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
   Cited parts (1) of source 9

   • Lead and Musical theatre section: “The following year, DeGarmo ventured into a career in musical theatre. She has starred in two Broadway, one off-Broadway and three national tours.”
10. Diana DeGarmo (Performer) — Playbill. Release database. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 10

    • Broadway credits: Hairspray; Hair
11. Diana DeGarmo official website — Diana DeGarmo. Label or artist. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • News item dated August 2, 2019: “Diana Degarmo Second Studio Album GEMINI Out Today!”
12. Jasmine Trias — Wikipedia, updated August 24, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 12

    • Lead paragraph: “She has released one album to date, Jasmine Trias.”
    • Filmography: Television table (2006 to 2009)
13. Jasmine Trias (album) — Wikipedia, updated January 24, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • Infobox: Label; About the album
14. Jasmine Trias & Ben Stone NEW DATE — Copernicus Center (Chicago). News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 14

    • Event description: “With over 500 headline performances between them on the Las Vegas Strip, this dynamic power couple brings their spectacular live stage show to Chicago.”
15. LaToya London biography — LaToya London. Label or artist. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (2) of source 15

    • Biography: “releasing music under her own label, RS Music Group (Royal Sound)”
    • Biography: “In 2023, she joined the 'Raphael Saadiq Revisits Tony! Toni! Toné!' tour as a lead feature”
16. Timeless starring American Idol's LaToya London and Eric Moore — Awesome Alpharetta. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • Event title and date: “Timeless: A Soulful Evening of Classic Duets starring American Idol's LaToya London & Eric Moore”
17. George Huff: biography and discography — Qobuz. Release database. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 17

    • Biography and discography list: “A self-titled second album of contemporary gospel was released on Koch in 2009.”
18. George Huff (singer) — Wikipedia, updated January 26, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 18

    • After Idol section
19. American Idol Alum Sings 'Sinatra, Martin & More' — Indian River Guardian, published March 12, 2024. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 19

    • Concert announcement: “Stevens will channel the greats when he joins the Space Coast Symphony Orchestra for Sinatra, Martin & More, at the Emerson Center”
20. John Stevens — Cape Symphony. Label or artist. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 20

    • Biography
21. Jennifer Hudson discusses new guests, return of 'Spirit Tunnel' ahead of season premiere of talk show — WSVN 7News, published September 2, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • “The season premiere of The Jennifer Hudson Show is set for September 14 at 11 a.m. on Channel 7”
    • “For Season Five, the talk show host will bring in a new round of celebrities”
22. Jennifer Hudson — Wikipedia, updated October 4, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • Career, 2021-present section: “Hudson's syndicated talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, launched on September 12, 2022.”
23. Oscar-winning 'Dreamgirls' star Jennifer Hudson signs on as a producer of the Broadway revival — Broadway News, published February 11, 2026. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • “is set to open in the fall of 2026 at a venue to be announced.”
24. Jennifer Hudson Has Done It All, And That Now Includes A Christmas Album — Recording Academy (grammy.com), published October 18, 2024. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • “after signing a new deal with Interscope Records, she's returning to music for the first time since 2014 with the Christmas album The Gift of Love, out Oct. 18.”
25. Jennifer Hudson Grammy Awards and Nominations, Song & Bio — Recording Academy. Official record. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • Nominations table, 68th Annual Grammy Awards: “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album - Nominee The Gift Of Love. Jennifer Hudson”
26. Midas Whale of The Voice release debut album — PRWeb, published February 11, 2014. Label or artist. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • Opening paragraph: “The debut album from folk duo Midas Whale of The Voice is now available on iTunes and all major music sites.”
27. 4 Mormon contestants advance on 'The Voice' — Deseret News, published April 24, 2013. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • Paragraphs on Midas Whale
28. Jon Peter Lewis official site — Jon Peter Lewis. Label or artist. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 28

    • Release list
29. Jon Peter Lewis — Wikipedia, updated August 29, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (3) of source 29

    • Post-Idol section: “In September 2006, Lewis released his second single containing the songs "If I Go Away" and "Man Like Me" through his independent label, Cockaroo Entertainment.”
    • Post-Idol section: “making Jon the first Idol finalist to independently release an album of original songs.”
    • Post-Idol section: “In 2015, Lewis released an EP titled Roughcuts.”
30. Top 10 'American Idol' contestant says she's playing ArtsQuest's ReggaeFest — Lehigh Valley Public Media, published March 23, 2025. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • Opening paragraph: “now performs under the name Eli-Mac, says she'll perform at ReggaeFest at Steelstacks on July 5.”
31. Interview with Maui's Camile Velasco who's back as reggae, hip-hop star "Eli-Mac" — Maui Now, published November 4, 2022. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • Introduction: “launching a reggae, hip-hop career that has her touring with The Green, Sublime, and J. Boog.”
32. Camile Velasco — Wikipedia, updated August 24, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
    Cited parts (1) of source 32

    • Solo career section (2014 stage name)
33. American Idols Live! Tour 2004 — Wikipedia, updated May 24, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • Performers table (Amy Adams, 10th place)
34. Christo Doyle no longer host of The Dirt, replaced by Matt Rogers — Starcasm, published September 12, 2015. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • Headline and opening paragraphs: “Christo Doyle no longer host of The Dirt, replaced by Matt Rogers”
35. Matthew Rogers — Wikipedia, updated September 7, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • Career section
36. NBA player Rasual Butler and R&B singer Leah LaBelle killed in car crash — NBC News, published January 31, 2018, updated February 1, 2018. News report. Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • Opening paragraphs: “LaBelle, 31, meanwhile, had a career as an R&B singer, finding her start on the third season of American Idol in 2003.”
37. Leah LaBelle — Wikipedia, updated September 11, 2026. Reference work (secondary). Retrieved October 6, 2026.
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    • Lead section; Death and aftermath section: “A posthumous EP, Love to the Moon, was released on September 7, 2018.”