Jennifer Hudson was a finalist in the third season of American Idol.
" Hudson received the highest number of votes in the "Top 9" after her performance of Elton John's "Circle of Life" on April 6, 2004, but two weeks later, she was eliminated during the "Top 7" show after performing Barry Manilow's, "Weekend in New England"
 McCreery won the competition on May 25, being the youngest male winner and the fourth male in a row to win American Idol

