Fantasia
Photo: Frank Micelotta/Getty Images

Fantasia is coming back to TV, though, unlike fellow former "American Idol" winners, she won't be doing it in front of Simon, Paula and the gang. The season-three "Idol" champ (born Fantasia Barrino) has signed on to star in an unscripted reality series for VH1 that is slated to premiere in early 2010. The show will focus on the nine-time Grammy nominee's life as a recording artist and 24-year-old single mother.

"Fantasia has one of the most fascinating stories in show business, from her tough upbringing to her meteoric rise on the national scene thanks to 'American Idol,' " Jeff Olde, executive vice president of original programming at VH1, said in a statement announcing the show. "Her challenges from fame and her unwillingness to fail have combined to create a larger-than-life talent who appeals to music lovers around the world. So many people wanted to work with her on this, but Fantasia is now part of the VH1 family, and we're so happy to have her."

The show will be the North Carolina native's third starring TV role, following "Idol" and the autobiographical 2006 movie "Life Is Not a Fairy Tale," which aired on the Lifetime network and chronicled her hard rise to fame overcoming sexual abuse, illiteracy and poverty.

The title of the VH1 show and the length of the run have not yet been announced.

Fantasia is currently working on her third studio album, due out this year, and has been tapped to reprise her Broadway role as Celie in the film adaptation of "The Color Purple" musical.

• Fantasia

Fantasia Barrino
Photo: Jason LaVeris/ WireImage

Fantasia has done a lot of things in the past five years: She's won "American Idol," received seven Grammy nominations, appeared on Broadway in "The Color Purple," released two hit albums and played herself in a Lifetime movie based on her rags-to-riches story.

But there's one landmark the 24-year-old R&B belter hasn't reached that nags at her — finishing high school. See, Fantasia dropped out of Andrews High School in High Point, North Carolina, in ninth grade and two years later gave birth to her daughter, Zion Quari Barrino.

But now, according to E! Online, Fantasia is going back to school for the sake of her daughter. "I've been talking about it for so long," Fantasia said. "I have a lot of young people who look up to me, like my 15-year-old brother and 7-year-old daughter. It's something that I really need to do and that I want to do."

After months of speculation and rumor, the third-season "Idol" winner also confirmed that she's gotten her financial affairs back in order after facing the possible foreclosure and auction of one of her homes. "I had to sit back for a while and had to get some things settled," she explained. "I had been with a lot of people not doing what they said they were going to do. I didn't have time to sit back and cry. I didn't have time to go to a mental-health counselor. I had to keep my sh-- on straight — excuse my language! — and handle my business, because it's not just about me. It's about me and my whole family."

She's reached an agreement to keep the home — though did not confirm rumors that "Idol" judge Simon Cowell helped her out of her financial jam — and said she's focused on keeping off the 20 pounds she recently lost and finishing up her third album, which she hopes to release later this year. Oh, and she's shopping a reality-TV show about her life.

The other thing she's psyched about is attending the Grammy Awards this Sunday with her "best friend in the world," Jennifer Hudson. The pair are nominated for a Grammy for their duet, "I'm His Only Woman," and, thanks to her weight loss, Fantasia told E! she's planning on wearing a vintage dress.

"I'm going vintage on the red carpet," Fantasia said. "I have lost 20 pounds, so now I can get into vintage, because the women back then were petite. They were very small. ... 2008 was a crazy year for Fantasia. '09 is totally different. '09 is my year."

Will Lil Wayne grab all the gramophones? Is Katy Perry going to tell her girl rivals to kiss off? Can Coldplay march off with a win? MTV News is all over the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, so stay tuned for interviews, analysis and more before, during and after the big night, Sunday, February 8.

• Fantasia

Pallbearers carry a casket out of the Apostolic Church of God after the funeral of Jennifer Hudson's family on Monday in Chicago
Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images

On Monday morning (November 3), a private funeral service was held at the Apostolic Church of God in Chicago for Jennifer Hudson's nephew Julian King, mother Darnell Donerson and brother Jason Hudson, who were murdered last month in Chicago.

According to the Chicago Tribune, at the end of the two-hour wake, Hudson spent a few moments at each of the coffins. She reportedly kissed her mother before returning to her seat.

At the funeral, "American Idol" alum Fantasia Barrino sang "Your Grace and Mercy," called the Hudsons "my family" and walked offstage into the aisle, where she took Hudson's hand and sang directly to her, according to the report. The funeral ended a short time later, and a horse-drawn carriage led the procession to the cemetery.

The Reverend Jesse Jackson and Chicago Mayor Richard Daley both spoke at the service.

Police shut down streets surrounding the church in order to keep the media and onlookers away from the service. A plastic covering was used on a tall gated fence in back of the large church, blocking the public from seeing into the entrance area, according to The Associated Press.

On Sunday, mourners paid their respects to the Hudson family at the Pleasant Gift Missionary Baptist Church, more than a week after the still-unsolved crime took place. A private service attended by 100 people was followed by a parade of thousands of mourners, who filed into the small hall to write condolence notes on cards with the images of King, Donerson and Hudson on them.

• Jennifer Hudson's Family Tragedy

• Jennifer Hudson
• Fantasia

Jennifer Hudson
Photo: Gillian Ross/ Getty Images

Jennifer Hudson's friends and colleagues have showered her with condolences and messages of support in the wake of the tragic deaths of her mother, brother and nephew on Friday. In a testament to the wide net the singer/actress has cast across the entertainment world in the four years since she first appeared on "American Idol," personalities from the worlds of music, film and television wished Hudson and her family her strength and love.

"American Idol" judge Simon Cowell told "Extra," "I was horrified when I heard the news. This is an appalling tragedy. My thoughts right now are with Jennifer and her family."

Fellow "Idol" judge Paula Abdul told the show, "This is a horrific tragedy and my thoughts and prayers go out to Jennifer and her entire family. The time I had to get to know Jennifer and forge a wonderful friendship with her while she was on 'Idol' was very special to me, and I personally can't imagine a greater loss for any family."

Hudson's "Dreamgirls" co-star Sharon Leal told MTV News, "I got a bunch of texts about what happened, and I was hoping it wasn't true. I reached out to her, and my thoughts and prayers are with her. It's unimaginable what's she's going through. It's devastating news. I'm sending good vibes out to her, and I hope she gets through everything."

Hudson's "Life of Bees" co-star Queen Latifah told "Access Hollywood," "When we heard the news of Jennifer losing her mother and her brother, our hearts broke for her, and we immediately began to pray for her strength and comfort and that of her family, as well as for the safe return of her nephew." She added, "I know the family is devastated and heartbroken and I hope that friends and fans and those who care about her just pray for her and give her all the support that she needs at this moment and for quite a long time to come."

In a statement to "Access Hollywood," Hudson's "Sex and the City" co-star Sarah Jessica Parker said, "My heart goes out to her and her family in their time of anguish and grief."

Over the weekend, Democratic presidential nominee and fellow Chicagoan Barack Obama said, "Michelle and I were absolutely heartbroken to learn about this unimaginable tragedy. We want Jennifer to know that she is in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time."

Hudson's fellow "Idol" contestants sent their support as well. "My heart, my prayers and love go out to Jennifer and her family," LaToya London told "Access Hollywood." "I will constantly keep them in my prayers. Jennifer, stay strong."

Camile Velasco knew Hudson's mother and told "Access Hollywood," "She was a great lady, real sweet and a great supporter of Jennifer's who was happy and glad for her daughter's success," she said. "Jennifer has great faith in God and is loved by so many so I hope that will get her through this ordeal. She has my love and support and I am here for her if she needs me."

"I was completely shocked and stunned when I heard about this tragedy," Diana DeGarmo told "Access Hollywood." "I know how important Jennifer's mother and brother were to her, especially because her father was never in the picture. They were so nice and so pleasant. Jennifer always spoke about her mom, how close they were and how much of a 'big sister' role her mom played in her life."

Reps for Beyoncé, who starred with Hudson in "Dreamgirls," and fellow "Idol" vet Fantasia told MTV News that they have chosen not to comment publicly on the tragedy in order to respect Hudson's privacy.

• Jennifer Hudson's Family Tragedy

• Jennifer Hudson
• Paula Abdul
• Beyoncé
• Fantasia
• Queen Latifah

David Archuleta and David Cook
Photo: Michael Becker / FOX

Be careful what you wish for. While "American Idol" fans (and certainly producers) have been itching for what they hope will be the epic showdown between the Davids for months, now that the last woman standing, Syesha Mercado, has been tossed from the locker room, it's worth asking: Do we really want a male "Idol"? Or, better yet, is there a jinx on male "Idol" winners?

Since season-one winner Kelly Clarkson took the mantle, two-thirds of "Idol" winners have been female and, to date, they have all managed to have very respectable (Fantasia Barrino, Jordin Sparks) if not superstar (Carrie Underwood, Clarkson) careers. The men, on the other hand, have had a less-stellar path. In fact, so far, the two male winners, season two's Ruben Studdard and season five's Taylor Hicks, are the only top vote-getters to be dropped from their major-label deals.

The tale of the tape tells it all: Underwood and Clarkson are the undisputed "Idol" champs, with debuts that sold 6.4 million and 5.9 million copies, respectively, according to SoundScan. Studdard nudges Fantasia by just more than 20,000 copies with his 1.78 million-selling debut, but he was dropped from J Records last year after his third album, The Return, sold just over 230,000 copies.

Fantasia, on the other hand, received three Grammy nominations for her second album and is working on her third while prepping to play Celie in the upcoming film adaptation of "The Color Purple" musical. Hicks, who was dropped from J Records in January after just one album, brings up the rear with just more than 700,000 copies of his debut sold, which made him the first "Idol" winner not to go platinum. In fact, his debut sold 40,000 copies less than Sparks' first effort, which was released in November and is currently getting a second wind thanks to the top-five single "No Air," which will likely further boost her album sales.

While it might be too early to say that there's some sort of bad mojo for the top "Idol" men, Michael Slezak, senior writer for EW.com, said it is becoming clear that America is more willing to embrace a female winner singing the traditionally gooey career-launching ballad. "Somehow, Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson singing the cheesy 'Idol' anthem as their first single didn't seem to harm their credibility quite as much," he said. "America has a history of embracing their divas singing cheesy ballads, but it's a bit harder for male artists to get radio play with that schlock."

Slezak said he didn't think the career arcs of the two men who've won "Idol" to date are indicative of what might happen to Cook or Archuleta, but he did wonder if the latter's preference for squishy, adult-contemporary ballads might make him a square peg with radio. "[Archuleta] falls into that Clay Aiken sort of square, which is a tough sell at radio," he said. "And when he was doing the Chris Brown song ... he clearly doesn't have it when it comes to contemporary music."

Cook, on the other hand, has proven he can handle rock songs by acts like Switchfoot and Our Lady Peace and even put his own unique spin on tunes by Dolly Parton and Mariah Carey that are out of his comfort zone. "I think it's better for 'Idol' if David Cook wins," Slezak said. "They do need a male artist to win who can sell records."

Geoff Mayfield, Billboard magazine's director of charts/ senior analyst, said he's not willing to go so far as to call male "Idol" winners cursed but rather sees their struggles as part of the traditional hit-or-miss nature of the music business. "I think it might be a coincidence, but it's always down to how much talent does this person have once they've won," he said. "And that's true for any of [the winners]. I believe Jordin Sparks has the wherewithal to hang in there longer than Taylor Hicks because there's more to work with than what Taylor had."

But still, he said, it's a case-by-case call, whether the winner is male or female. For Studdard, who came out of the gate strong, the rapidly declining returns on his second and third albums would likely have gotten him booted from any label, "Idol" crown or not, and the call on Hicks was much easier given the difficulty he had in connecting with a mainstream audience.

"Idol" hasn't been particularly kind to male runner-ups, either, from season-one also-ran Justin Guarini and season two's once-shining star Clay Aiken to season-four former major-label rocker Bo Bice and last season's beatboxing flame-out, Blake Lewis. Though Aiken is back with his fourth studio album and just finished a well-received run on Broadway in "Spamalot," it does seem as if "Idol" fans love voting for the boys but aren't nearly as hyped on buying their records.

And perhaps it's also a coincidence, and likely a function of "Idol" being seven seasons in and ratings being down across the board due to the strike-impacted season, but the numbers for the show this year have consistently been down from previous highs. Though it is still the #1 show on TV, during last week's Tuesday night episode, 21.8 million people tuned in, which was the lowest audience total for the show since season two, the Studdard/Aiken year.

"Winning 'Idol' has never been a [guarantee of future success]," Mayfield said. "It gives any artist who comes from there a familiarity with their fanbase in the comfort of their living rooms, but whether they can parlay that into something bigger depends on how much talent they have at the right time, right place."

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions. And relive six seasons of "Idol" hot messes and high notes in six minutes with our video timeline.

• 'American Idol' In 60 Seconds

• "American Idol" Season-Seven Performances

• Kelly Clarkson
• Fantasia
• Carrie Underwood

Blake Lewis and Jordin Sparks
Photo: FOX

Before "American Idol" sucks you in with the latest crop of contestants, make sure you're well-versed on the show's long (and sometimes lurid) history!

From the ear-pleasing highs to the glass-shattering "no!"s, this timeline by MTV News' "American Idol" expert Jim Cantiello will tell you everything you need to know about the first six seasons: the scandals, the shocking eliminations and the so-bad-they're-brilliant, oh-no-they-didn't performances.

Season Six: 2007

WINNER: Jordin Sparks

RUNNER-UP: Blake Lewis

HIGH NOTE (OF THE SEASON): The first time Jordin Sparks sings "I (Who Have Nothing)" proves that the 17-year-old is a major contender in the competition, giving older, more seasoned singers like Melinda Doolittle a run for their money. (However, the second time Jordin sings the Shirley Bassey classic proves Sparks is less an emotionally mature 17-year-old and more an easily programmed teen-bot.)

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): During Diana Ross week, similarly follicled Chris Sligh takes "Endless Love" and Coldplay's "Clocks," throws them in a blender and hits the "pulverize" button. The result is a 90-second performance of whiny high notes and off-kilter melody tweaks. Appropriate enough, it feels endless.

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: Kristen Wiig look-alike Nicole Tranquillo doesn't survive one week of the semifinals, and you can't really blame America, considering the wild-eyed caterwauling she displays on Chaka Khan's "Stay." Between the funny faces, the spastic body jerks (I don't dare call it dancing), and the cocky persona, Nicole emerges as the looniest, most passionate contestant of the season. No surprise that Nicole is Paula's favorite singer.

SEASON SHOCKER: A 16-year-old country crooner named Baylie Brown wows viewers with an audition that Simon calls "commercial with a capital C." Many expect to see her in the finals, only to be floored a few weeks later when, during Hollywood Week, the judges cut Baylie for forgetting the lyrics (even though her groupmate Antonella Barba — more on her below — makes it through to the next rounds despite also drawing a blank). Later in the season, arguably the best singer in "Idol" history, Melinda Doolittle, fails to make the top two as beatboxer Blake Lewis and young whippersnapper Jordin Sparks move on to the finale. You know it's a shock when even Simon Cowell looks sincerely flabbergasted.

SEASON SCANDALS: In the midst of the semifinals, PG-13-rated photos of Antonella Barba surface, some of which show her either cavorting around a veterans memorial in a wet T-shirt or sitting on a toilet. (Additional X-rated photos that claim to be of Barba are quickly proven to be fake.) Producers keep Antonella around, which prompts Frenchie Davis fans (Rosie O'Donnell included) to cry racism. Alas, America isn't feeling Antonella's vocal stylings and sends her back to New Jersey the final week of the semis. Once in the top 12, iffy contestant Sanjaya Malakar somehow avoids the dreaded "bottom three" for several weeks. Howard Stern and VoteForTheWorst.com take credit for his longevity after running public campaigns to keep the less-than-outstanding singer around as long as possible. And finally, during the finale, Clive Davis spends what feels like 45 minutes praising Carrie Underwood, Chris Daughtry, Taylor Hicks, Kellie Pickler — hell, practically every "Idol" contestant except Kelly Clarkson, with whom he's embroiled in a very public dispute over the creative direction of her angry album "My December." (In a delicious TV moment, after Clarkson finishes ripping through her single "Never Again," the "Idol" director cuts to an awkward audience-reaction shot of Davis.)

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY : Season six suffers from I.I.C., or "Idol Identity Crisis." Rather than focusing on the one thing fans actually care about — the contestants — "Idol" instead acts like Angelina Jolie ("Idol Gives Back"); "TRL" (patience-testing appearances by Fergie, Gwen Stefani, Akon, J. Lo and Robin Thicke, to name a few); and NASCAR (even more product placement than usual). During the competition, Blake Lewis and Chris Sligh take major risks with contemporary song choices and their own modern arrangements of classic tunes, letting audiences know that they're more than just karaoke stars. Meanwhile, Sanjaya's outrageous hairstyles and awkward disposition make him a household name (and the punch line to countless late-night talk-show jokes). Toward the end of the season, producers hold a songwriting competition to fight off complaints from viewers that the "Idol" coronation song is always too sappy. Ironically, America chooses "This Is My Now" (perhaps the sappiest song yet) as the big finale single. The first season during which numbers are dangerously down — both in ratings and in album sales — suggests that "Idol" isn't invincible. And lastly, a little girl named Ashley Ferl becomes an overnight celebrity after she spends the entirety of Sanjaya's "You Really Got Me" in hysterics.

Season Five: 2006

WINNER: Taylor Hicks

RUNNER-UP: Katharine McPhee

HIGH NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Paris Bennett's "Take Five" (from her first audition) still gives me goose bumps with every single note. It's so genius that Paula's sheep-like "Ya-a-a-a-a-a" reaction is poetry compared to the joyful-but-bizarre noises I made when I first heard Bennett. It's really unfortunate that during her "Idol" run Princess P never tops this flawless first impression.

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Ace Young squeezes Train's "Drops of Jupiter" out of his voice box and then exposes his chest to reveal a scar ... while he sings a lyric about a scar. Seriously, dude? P.S.: It looks like special-effects makeup, if you ask me.

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: In the season's semifinal kickoff, Manilooney (and just plain looney) Bobby Bennett proves that what happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas, and fans of all things campy hit the jackpot. Between the wide-eyed mugging, the "Liza with a Z" jazz hands and the song dedication to his dead "gram," Bennett's performance is deranged enough for you to think that John Waters cast this round of "Idol."

SEASON SHOCKER: The two-hour season finale is so jam-packed with surprise guests, weeping random audience members and cheesetastic group numbers that for once "Idol" airs a results show that isn't 99 percent boring filler — and that might be the biggest "Idol" shocker ever.

SEASON SCANDALS: Any plus-size divas out there? Take note: Gay men will probably make up most of your fanbase, so don't pull a Mandisa. The singer cites "Pray the Gay Away" preacher Beth Moore as a personal hero, and then busts out some spoken word at the top of a song that comes off as being ... questionable: "Your addiction, lifestyle and situation may be big, but God is bigger!" Regardless of 'Disa's clarification attempt — "When I said 'lifestyle' I was talking about my food addiction" — the harm is already done and her fans flee. A week later, she goes bye-bye. On an also-ran note, flamboyant identical twins Derrell and Terrell Brittenum are "uninvited" from the competition after they're thrown in jail for a 2005 incident in which they allegedly stole a man's identity to buy a car. Thankfully, their arrest happens after the Hollywood Week episodes taped, so viewers are still treated to their fair share of Brittenum-related diva tantrums and hissy fits.

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY : Considering nine out of the 12 finalists score music deals (including fourth-placer Chris Daughtry whose debut album breaks records), it goes to show you that you don't have to win "American Idol" to have a career — and considering the fizzling sales of Katharine's and Taylor's records, it goes to show you that winning "American Idol" (or at least making it to the finale) doesn't guarantee a career, either. (Both Kat and Taylor were dropped from their record labels in early 2008.)

Season Four: 2005

WINNER: Carrie Underwood

RUNNER-UP: Bo Bice

HIGH-NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Rockers Bo Bice and Constantine Maroulis each have their moment in the sun. Bice's a cappella "In a Dream" stops everyone dead in their tracks, while Constantine's "Bohemian Rhapsody" is not the train wreck it should be. Ironically, country star Carrie Underwood shines brightest when singing a rock song, Heart's "Alone."

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): I'm tempted to pick Anthony Federov's "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" only so I can mention Simon's hilariously simple "hideous" assessment, but Mikalah Gordon's "Love Will Lead You Back" is far too offensive to overlook. The hyperactive teen takes Taylor Dayne's lush ballad and sings it like a goose warning its gaggle of imminent danger: 92 seconds of ear torture.

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: The theme is " '70s Dance Music" (or, as everyone else in the world calls it, disco), and lucky for us, country fembot Carrie Underwood is not wired to handle it. During her dazed, confused and downright petrified "MacArthur Park," someone switches the Underwood-4000's vocal mode to "4-year-old pageant queen" and her hairstyle to "40-year-old drag queen." Yes!

SEASON SHOCKER: Judd Harris' elimination is a jaw-dropper — not necessarily because we expect him to advance, but because of the manner in which he is eliminated. During the semifinals, Seacrest tells the front row (Judd included) to sit pretty and relax. Then, after "safe"-ing each of the back row's contestants, the host, without any warning, turns back to the couch and announces, "Judd, you are out." If there's such a thing as karma, Seacrest is in for one hell of a firing some day.

SEASON SCANDALS: Days before the top 12 are set to hit the stage, front-runner Mario Vazquez drops out of the show for personal reasons. (A lawsuit filed against Vazquez in 2007 claims he pulled a George Michael on a crew member. Whoa!) Later in the season, "Idol" is forced to hold a re-vote after a production error displays incorrect phone numbers on a performance show. Oops! The "Idol" gods save the best scandal for last, however. Season-two degenerate Corey Clark (see season-two scandals below) re-emerges with an inflammatory book to sell. In it, he claims that the real reason he was DQ'd from the show back in '03 was because he was having an illicit affair with Abdul. On a sensational prime-time news special (called — wait for it — "Fallen Idol") the former contestant speaks (and sings) about his "relationship" in graphic detail. (I'm still trying to track down an MP3 of the song "Paulatics," by the way.) Abdul denies it, "Idol" hires a private-investigative team, and wouldn't you know it? They conclude that Paula was straight-up telling the truth.

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY: The "rockers" put a much-needed new spin on the "Idol" formula, juicing up the competition with a fresh, unexpected energy. (There are only so many times you can hear an amateur destroy "My Cherie Amour," right?) Also, in order to prevent season three's crazy gender gap, the show institutes the six boys/ six girls top-12 quota we all know and loathe. Plus, producers get even looser with their moral code. The show barely bats an eyelash when domestic charges against Scott Savol and past drug arrests for finalist Bo become public. (Audiences don't seem to care, either.) And finally, the first country "Idol" is crowned and goes on to become one of the biggest names in the genre, while Bo the Rocker's career flat-lines.

Season Three: 2004

WINNER: Fantasia Barrino

RUNNER-UP: Diana DeGarmo

HIGH NOTE (OF THE SEASON): If you look up "wow moment" in the "Idol" dictionary, you'll see a picture of Fantasia singing her signature "Summertime."

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Poor John Stevens. Unless it's standards night, there's no way in hell the crooner can succeed. But there's no excuse for his listless Latin-night offering, "Music of the Heart." Simon says it best when he tells the young singer, "You and Latin music go together like chocolate ice cream and an onion." That actually sounds appetizing compared to this painful schlock-a-thon. And this dude outlasts Jennifer Hudson?

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: Camile Velasco is a walking disaster: The girl has such bad stage fright that every time she performs, it looks like she is one swallow away from projectile vomiting all over the judges. Maybe meeting her idol Elton John will loosen her up? Nah. She turns "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" into a whiny, cat-in-heat debacle. I break into cold sweats just thinking about it — while simultaneously wishing it were my ringtone.

SEASON SHOCKER: Is it the result of racism (Sir Elton's theory), a random side effect of an Illinois tornado (Al Roker's theory) or just plain vote-splitting (common-sense theory)? Whatever the case, the bottom three of Barry Manilow week end up being the best singers of the season: Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson and La Toya London, dubbed "The Three Divas" by Ryan Seacrest. (The future Oscar winner is the one to say goodbye.) Three weeks later, the two remaining divas land at the bottom again, as the perennially pitchy Jasmine Trias sits pretty on the "safe" couch. Paula solemnly notes that "America got it wrong" before sobbing uncontrollably as La Toya sings her swan song.

SEASON SCANDALS: Midway through the competition, the increasingly loopy Paula Abdul begins showing up to "Idol" with her arm in a sling. The judge tells "Entertainment Tonight" that she almost lost her thumb in a freak manicure accident, but never fully explains why her entire arm has to be cradled. Two years later, in what might be the oddest celebrity cause ever, Abdul pressures California lawmakers to enforce nail-salon regulations. You can keep your African poverty, Bono. Abdul wants our cuticles protected!

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY: Because of the gospel-influenced divas, season three is remembered as the year "Idol" went to church. (No wonder watching Fantasia's post-win performance of "I Believe" is a religious experience!) Season three is also notorious for "discovering" William Hung, a naive Asian civil-engineering student who auditions for the show and is catapulted into the limelight thanks to a severely off-key rendition of Ricky Martin's "She Bangs." His fame (and record contract) births a new breed of "Idol" celebrity: the freak show.

Season Two: 2003

WINNER: Ruben Studdard

RUNNER-UP: Clay Aiken

HIGH NOTE (OF THE SEASON): During Hollywood Week, the big (voiced) girls Frenchie Davis and Kimberley Locke band together for a diva-licious duet of "Band of Gold." It's supposed to be a group number, but the other female contestants are too chicken to share the stage with the two best singers in the batch. They're smart to steer clear.

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Deciding on the worst Carmen Rasmussen performance is like choosing between death by a swarm of bees or toothpick stabbing. I'll go with her Wild Card performance, where Simon puts the attractive-but-tone-deaf singer through to the top 12 even though he says her "Can't Find the Moonlight" was awful. Typical!

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: Marine Josh Gracin performs "Jive Talkin' " like he's trying to pick a fight with everyone in America at once. The hand-held camera remains about 4 inches away from his face as he walks through the crowd, making "give it to me" hand gestures for a minute straight for no apparent reason. Did I mention that his facial expressions make him look like a dude in a porno? It is stunning in its wrongness.

SEASON SHOCKER: Aside from the ousted contestants (see scandals below) and the terrifying Verdine White of Earth, Wind & Fire being a guest judge, the biggest shock has to be that the formerly annoying Ryan Seacrest is a lot more likeable without scripted banter and an unnecessary co-host at his side. Sorry, Brian Dunkleman!

SEASON SCANDALS: Pack a lunch — it's gonna take awhile to weed through all this. First, before the semifinals begin, front-runner Frenchie Davis is told to hit the road after it is uncovered that she has modeled topless for a skuzzy porn site. Although Frenchie says she was honest to executives about her past, the same cannot be said about Corey Clark. Nine hours after the Smoking Gun posts a mug shot of the alleged sister-beater, the blindsided producers oust Corey from "Idol." And lastly, Trenyce is humiliated when her especially unglamorous mug shot (for a 1999 felony theft charge) pops up on the Internet. Producers let her stay because of her honesty, but America ends up doing the show's dirty work by voting her off.

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY : By casting Ruben, Clay, Kimberley and Frenchie, "AI 2" broadens America's definition of "pop-star image." Fans eat it up. However, by voting on voice over looks, the season ends up being fairly predictable, where the singer who deserves to go home each week does. The final Ruben/Clay showdown is a tight race (one that Seacrest calls a "photo finish"), and although Studdard is the victor, Aiken ultimately wipes the floor with him in record sales. The disqualified Frenchie ends up paving a path that several "Idol" contestants (including Aiken) will follow once their pop music careers stall: Broadway. Speaking of struggling singers, in 2007, Ruben wins a new title: First "Idol" to be dropped by a record label. Ouch.

Season One: 2002

WINNER: Kelly Clarkson

RUNNER-UP: Justin Guarini

HIGH NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Simon may have called Tamyra Gray's "A House Is Not a Home" one of the best performances on TV ever, but I'm still partial to Kelly Clarkson's offering on big-band night. Her "Stuff Like That There" is sassy, flirty and oozes sex appeal without being over-the-top. (Haley Scarnato, take note!) Bonus points for making me finally understand a genre of music I thought only my grandparents liked. (Xtina, take note!) Christina Christian's mesmerizing "Ain't No Sunshine" is a close second.

LOW NOTE (OF THE SEASON): Between the Molly Ringwald dance moves and singing that would make Ashlee Simpson wince, "rocker" Nikki McKibbin's "Always Something There to Remind Me" is a complete and utter disaster. The arrangement certainly doesn't help (nothing says "hard rock" like bad drum programming and an inexplicable "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going"-style Vegas breakdown, right?), but the performance truly crosses the line in its final moments, when the single mom panders for votes by pimping her son accepting a rose from her kid. Even Paula hates it.

HOT-MESS PERFORMANCE OF THE SEASON: From the "I see London, I see France" miniskirt to the manic delivery, Ryan Starr's "Frim Fram Sauce" had me clapping with catty glee. How she's able to stay so hilariously earnest while singing a song about wanting "chafafa on the side" blows my mind.

SEASON SHOCKER: Thanks to a lame Patti LaBelle song choice, über-talented Tamyra gets ousted before the shaky-at-best Nikki McKibbin. An emotional McKibbin is propelled into the top three, the studio audience boos, and in five seconds, "Idol" becomes the most unpredictable show on TV.

SEASON SCANDALS: Some cry foul when Christina Christian's elimination falls on the same night she happens to be recuperating in a hospital bed due to "exhaustion." (It's even fishier considering her solid performance that week.) For non-conspiracy theorists, the big scandal occurrs in the semifinals when contestant Delano Cagnolati is disqualified for lying about his age. (The equally forgettable Ejay Day replaces him.)

CULTURAL IMPACT/LEGACY : More than just "the season with two hosts," season one lays the low-budget foundation for what will later become the "American Idol" empire. Several seasons — and "Idol" winners — later, purists still point to Kelly Clarkson as the only true "Idol." Her record sales suggest the same, although both Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry have had impressive-so-far post-"Idol" careers as well (sales-wise, anyway). Clarkson's first single breaks a record previously held by the Beatles (!!!) and her first two albums sell a bajillion copies. (Actually, it's more like 12.5 million.) In the broadcast world, reality-show producers bark in unison, "GET ME A CRANKY BRITISH JUDGE!" (see "So You Think You Can Dance and/or Ice-Skate With the Stars and Have Talent?!"), while an ill-conceived (and rushed) attempt at big-screen domination results in one of the worst movies of all time. Paula Abdul enjoys fame again — this time without the help of an animated cat. And lastly, America learns a new word: pitchy.

Which season was your favorite? Do you think season seven will stand the test of time? And will this show ever end?

Get your "Idol" fix on MTV News' "American Idol" page, where you'll find all the latest news, interviews and opinions.

• 'American Idol': Six Seasons In Six Minutes

• Jordin Sparks
• Blake Lewis
• Taylor Hicks
• Katharine McPhee
• Carrie Underwood

Wyclef Jean and Alicia Keys perform at Clive Davis’ annual Pre-Grammy Party on Saturday
Photo: Frank Micelotta/ Getty Images

BEVERLY HILLS, California — As the highlight reel at the beginning of the night reminded everyone, Clive Davis has consistently pulled off some pretty amazing pre-Grammy parties.

Puff Daddy and the Family, Alicia Keys, Carlos Santana, Aretha Franklin, Mary J. Blige, Lauryn Hill, Whitney Houston, Toni Braxton, Babyface ... we could go on for days. As legend has it, Davis' Pre-Grammy Party is a music-industry institution that is known for not just the stars who attend, but the collaborations between them.

The red carpet really didn't feel too "pre" last night at the Beverly Hilton. Seeing everyone from Lindsay Lohan and Pink to Whitney Houston and Janet Jackson made it feel like the Grammy Awards. Everyone always comes out for Davis. (Click for photos from the party.)

On Saturday night, as he's done in recent years for his artists such as Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia, Mario and the almighty Alicia Keys, he officially introduced British export Leona Lewis to his powerful friends.

After the Foo Fighters performed "The Pretender" and "The Best of You," Lewis hit the stage. Her stardom here in the U.S. feels like it could be a foregone conclusion. She's already a superstar overseas and she has everything needed to make it over here: beauty, a powerful industry machine behind her — and the child can sing.

She started with her British hit single "Bleeding Love" and ended with Roberta Flack's classic "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face." Her rendition was more power-pop ballad than soulful standard, and the audience rewarded her with heavy applause.

"I can't believe I'm here," she said onstage. "Big thank you to Clive Davis. ... It's a real honor for me to be singing here and singing for everybody."

Everybody with a capital "E." If you weren't paying attention to who attended, Clive shouted all his guests out from Swizz Beatz and Busta Rhymes to Michael Strahan of the Super Bowl champs New York Giants to Raquel Welch. And, of course, his favorite artist, Bobby Brown's ex.

"We're in the studio. Welcome back to music, Whitney Houston!" Davis said. Whitney got a standing ovation from the audience.

When Rod Stewart was introduced, he stood up with a napkin on his head for laughs.

Daughtry performed "It's Not Over" and brought out Chad Kroeger and Slash for a cover of Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Born on the Bayou."

Fantasia momentarily stole the show with a record she performed for so many nights as the lead in the Broadway musical "The Color Purple," "I'm Here."

Barefoot and showing off a hairdo that mixed jet black and platinum blonde, 'Tasia showed why she is recognized as one of the best pure singers in the new generation of R&B stars, and why "The Color Purple" sold out so many consecutive nights.

Speaking of great singers, before Alicia Keys' set, Davis told the audience, "From day one, it was obvious. You don't talk about hit records, you talk about hall of fame" when it comes to Keys.

Keys started out with "Super Woman" (which was not on the original set list, but she was feeling the moment). "Like You'll Never See Me Again" followed, and Rihanna was one of the first of many to get up out their seats and dance. For "No One," Wyclef Jean came out wearing a masquerade mask and helped out on guitar.

'Clef actually closed the night, commencing his set with "President." "Obama, Hillary Clinton, they got competition/ Wyclef for president," he rapped.

Akon joined 'Clef minutes later for DJ Khaled's "We Takin' Over." Wyclef then played Bob Marley's "No Woman No Cry" and traded off hits with 'Kon. The Fugees' "Ready or Not" came out, as did Akon's "I Wanna Love You." During their joint effort "Sweetest Girl (Dollar Bill)," 'Clef and 'Kon walked into the crowd singing.

To close, Jean made it back to the stage and put some spice on his exit — with a backflip!

Geek out on the Grammys with MTV News' complete coverage right here!

• Grammys 60-Second Recap: Celebrating Amy Winehouse And The AARP

• Alicia Keys, Akon, Fantasia Perform At The Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Party
• 2008 Grammy Parties

• Alicia Keys
• Fantasia
• Foo Fighters
• Leona Lewis
• Whitney Houston

Diddy joins Naughty by Nature onstage at Spotlight Live on Tuesday
Photo: Walik Goshorn

The flyest spot in New York on Tuesday nights is definitely Spotlight Live. 1st Class Entertainment puts on a weekly extravaganza called R&B Live where some of the biggest names in R&B — both now and from back in the day — jump onstage and sing with a live band. It's a sexy night for the music industry, where stars like Beyoncé, Mya, Fantasia, Ne-Yo, Lil' Mo, Jade, Jagged Edge and others have shown the crowd that real singing will never die.

On Tuesday night, Diddy hosted a showcase for a gaggle of R&B acts on his Bad Boy label. He has a slew of releases coming in the next few months and wanted to let his friends in showbiz know why he's so excited. Fat Joe, Ray J, Missy Elliott and Naughty by Nature were among those in the audience.

First up to bat were Diddy's all-male group, which is still going by the name "Making the Band 4." When are they going to get a real name? The guys did show that they had real talent, getting applause from the audience with their brief set. It was a tough start though, because the guys' mics were messed up and they actually had to leave the stage while the technical difficulties were resolved. Upon their return, the guys performed their new single, "Got Me Going," and at certain points, you could see Puff sitting at the head of table giving instructions to the guys with their dance moves.

"The goddess of Bad Boy," Cheri Dennis, came out afterward and performed her new single "Portrait of Love." Dennis, who's been on the label for years, had the presence of veteran. Her album In and Out of Love was released digitally a few weeks ago, and the hard CD comes out on February 26.

The highlight of the night was definitely Janelle Monet, who looks like she has the most star potential of any of Bad Boy's new breed — she even had her own fan section sprinkled throughout the audience. She wearing a bow tie (!) and, on a scale of 1 to 10, her energy level was at 15. Her sound reminds you of bit of Panic! at the Disco mixed with Estelle and Kelis — call it soulful punk-pop.

"We need that," said Diddy — who spent a lot of time going from his seat to the stage — after his show-stealer left the stage. She got the loudest ovation of the night. "We need that in music. A star got up on this stage tonight!"

The vibe was so up that '90s singer Jeff Redd, who helped discover Mary J. Blige and get her signed, got up onstage and sang his two most well-known records, "I Found Lovin' " and "You Called & Told Me." Naughty by Nature followed, getting up from the crowd and giving a potent medley of their classics "O.P.P.," "Uptown Anthem," "Feel Me Flow" and "Hip Hop Hooray." However, the trip down memory lane jumped the shark minutes later when Dana Dane got onstage. Not that the crowd doesn't love the old-school MC, but when he started singing "Dayyyyyyynnnnna Dane.com" instead of "Dayyyyyyynnnnna with fayyyyyyme," his time onstage was going downhill.

Danity Kane, who arrived late because of a photo shoot, closed out the night. Dressed down in shorts and jeans, the ladies sang "Show Stopper" and their new single, "Damaged."

Making the Band 4 drop their debut LP on March 11, while Danity Kane release Welcome to the Dollhouse on March 18.

• Beyoncé
• Fantasia
• Ne-Yo

Fantasia in "The Color Purple"
Photo: Bryan Bedder/ Getty Images

"The Color Purple," the Oprah Winfrey-produced musical that turned Fantasia into the unexpected darling of Broadway, posted its closing notice yesterday. The surprise announcement comes less than three weeks after the "American Idol" winner ended her critically and commercially hailed run in the Broadway show.

Sources tell MTV News that a movie version of the musical, starring Fantasia, is likely.

While it is common for shows to suffer a post-holiday lull in ticket sales, "The Color Purple" was unable to fill the void left when its unexpected standout star finished her contractual run January 6.

Fantasia burst onto the Great White Way in April of last year, making her Broadway debut as Celie, the used and abused Southern woman who, over the course of four decades, finds her voice and herself. It was an emotionally charged and exhaustingly compelling performance that left audiences — both regular theatergoers and Fantasia fans — completely riveted.

As her contracted run dwindled, the producers decided to give the role of Celie to an unknown actress, Zonya Love. But they also brought in more recognized stars to cover supporting roles. Versatile singing star Chaka Khan, gospel singer BeBe Winans and "American Idol" fourth-place finisher LaKisha Jones all joined the cast recently.

Because of the costs associated with putting "names" into a show, producers usually only do so if they are hoping for an extended run. But box-office receipts didn't show any promise. According to reports, "The Color Purple" was running at 76.8 percent capacity during the holiday week of December 23. For the week of January 13, its first without Fantasia, it ran at 45.9 percent capacity.

It was an unlikely pairing: the epic Broadway musical and the talent-show winner. Since winning season three of "Idol" in 2004, Fantasia recorded two R&B albums, Free Yourself and Fantasia, neither of which seemed to showcase a future Broadway star. Indeed, at the time producers asked her to consider playing the role in New York, Fantasia had not only never seen a Broadway show, but had never seen a musical.

Music insiders, too, considered Broadway an unusual choice for Fantasia — and vice versa.

"I thought she was going off to that pasture where all the Idols go," Keith Murphy, an editor at Vibe magazine, told MTV News back in July.

Critics, poised for the kill, instead melted. The difficult-to-please New York Times reviewers referred to her as "pretty terrific. So terrific that this earnest but mechanical musical is more effective and affecting than it was when it yawned open a year and a half ago." Even Fantasia's most recent album started climbing the charts — quite the opposite of going out to pasture.

While she was only supposed to do the show for six months, she re-upped to take the musical through the new year, telling MTV News, "The cast, crew and producers have been wonderful to work with and are all very supportive. I have the best of both worlds right now. I am very blessed."

This closing comes on the heels of the demise of another once-popular show, "Rent," which recently announced it would be closing June 1.

Contributing to the demise of these shows is the 19-day strike by the stagehands' union, which happened in November and December of last year. Those holiday weeks are used to featherbed the lean weeks of January and February, when shows typically underperform.

Still, there is hope that "The Color Purple" will live on — with Fantasia. Though details of the possible film version of the musical are still sketchy, if it happens, it would be the fourth incarnation of Celie's tale. The story began as a novel by Alice Walker, published in 1982, and was then adapted into a film by Steven Spielberg in 1985. That movie, which stars Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, garnered eight Academy Award nominations. The $11 million musical opened in 2005.

Visit Movies on MTV.com for more from Hollywood, including news, reviews, interviews and more.

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• Fantasia Hits Broadway In 'The Color Purple'

• Fantasia

Darlesia Cearcy and Fantasia at rehearsals for "The Color Purple"
Photo: MTV News

It was a publicist's dream. On the February 22 episode of "American Idol," the ratings juggernaut routinely watched by upward of 30 million viewers, Fantasia Barrino, the show's season-three winner, ambled onstage to make a "special announcement": Oprah Winfrey had tapped her to star in the Broadway production of "The Color Purple."

Uh, excuse me? Broadway?

True, the Great White Way had already established itself as a dumping ground for tossed "American Idol" finalists looking for work — Constantine Maroulis in "The Wedding Singer"! Diana DeGarmo in "Hairspray"!

But Fantasia? This was different. She was the first "Idol" winner who, instead of touring to promote her new album, decided to hunker down in New York and headline a Broadway show (see "Fantasia Rehearses 'The Color Purple' — With Strep Throat And Jokes Galore"). With her first two record outings garnering nowhere near Kelly Clarkson or Carrie Underwood status (2004's Free Yourself sold less than 2 million copies; while her current album, Fantasia, currently sits at #126 on the Billboard albums chart), one couldn't help but wonder if the decision to do Broadway had a tinge of desperation to it. Was this the beginning of the end for a once-promising career?

"I thought she was going off to that pasture where all the Idols go," said Keith Murphy, an editor at Vibe magazine. "She already has a platinum album, and now this is happening to her?"

With Fantasia's music career not as successful as she might have hoped, Chaka Zulu, who manages Ludacris, thinks the idea of Broadway wasn't so far-fetched. Opening herself up to a new audience — those who enjoy musicals — might be a very smart move.

"For someone with talent who enjoys stretching herself, this might be good for her at this point in her career," Zulu said.

But the greatest surprise in the story of Fantasia going to Broadway might be just how well her performance in "The Color Purple" has been received.

First, the difficult-to-please New York Times gushed, calling her "pretty terrific" and "wholly convincing" in the role of Celie, the wayward Southern woman forced to fight for everything she has (see "Living 'Color': Fantasia Tells Oprah She's Already Learned From Celie"). According to reports, the box office took in $6 million in advance ticket sales before she even stepped onstage for the first time. There were numerous TV appearances, including a showstopping performance on the Tony Awards telecast.

The 23-year-old from North Carolina, who professed to never having seen a Broadway show before the producers of "The Color Purple" gave her tickets, was fast becoming a Broadway star.

"Of course she is going to sing well," Murphy said. "People expect that. But what critics have been shocked by is her acting."

Word came late last week that Fantasia has re-signed with "Purple," meaning she'll play Celie until January. New York's Daily News reported that a new Broadway show was being written based on the life of nightclub legend Ada "Bricktop" Smith for Fantasia to star in.

"Fantasia showed that Broadway is not the graveyard for 'American Idol,' " Murphy said. "She blew that notion out of the water, basically. And I'm not a huge Fantasia fan, but I saw something special on that stage."

Now, in a twist, Fantasia's latest single, "When I See U," has begun to take off (see "Fantasia Unleashes Her Inner Rock Star: 'This Time It's My Own Vision' "). For the past three weeks, it's been #1 on Billboard's R&B singles chart. It's commanding a significant amount of radio play, and its video is on regular rotation on MTV. While Fantasia has been belting on Broadway eight times a week, her music career has resurged.

Now, says Zulu, she should combine the power of her two careers. He thinks she should tour once her Broadway tenure is complete, but in a different way than she would have before she stepped foot in Celie's shoes. In other words, create a tour with a more theatrical flair.

"I would encourage her to put together a venture that reflects this new love she found," he said.

Murphy agrees. "Her bread and butter is going to be her performing," he said. "She's probably going to do a song from 'The Color Purple' on tour. She's probably going to do standards from other shows.

"I think she could become a bulletproof artist without her album necessarily having to go triple-platinum or even platinum," he continued. "You're looking at an artist who now has the capability of growing old with her fans."

As for Fantasia herself, she seems to be happily riding the wave. "I have learned so much as an actress and vocally from my run with 'The Color Purple,' " she said in a statement to MTV News. "The cast, crew and producers have been wonderful to work with and are all very supportive. I have the best of both worlds right now. I am very blessed."

• Fantasia Hits Broadway In 'The Color Purple'

• Fantasia's First Day Of Rehearsal For "The Color Purple"

• Fantasia

Beyonce, Fergie, Miley, More Rock The 2008 Grammy Red Carpet

• Fantasia
• Ace Young
• The Shins
• Joey Fatone
• Mark Ronson

Fantasia's First Day Of Rehearsal For "The Color Purple"

• Fantasia

The Week In Pictures For March 2, 2007

• Diddy
• Young Jeezy
• Fantasia
• Daughtry

Jamie Foxx And Fantasia Perform At New York's Madison Square Garden

• Fantasia
• Jamie Foxx

The Week In Pictures For December 15, 2006

• Beyoncé
• Ciara
• Kanye West
• Fantasia
• Young Jeezy

Kanye, Rihanna, Fonzworth, More At 2006 BET Awards

• Kanye West
• Rihanna
• Fonzworth Bentley
• Bow Wow
• Paul Wall

TRL Guestbook

• Beyoncé
• Justin Timberlake
• Christina Aguilera
• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Nelly Furtado

Jamie Foxx, Ashlee Simpson, Ciara, More At The Clive Davis Pre-Grammy Party, 2.7.06

• Jamie Foxx
• Ashlee Simpson
• Ciara
• Mary J. Blige
• Ludacris

Grammy Parties 2006

• Britney Spears
• Kevin Federline
• Maroon 5
• Chingy
• Christina Milian

Performances From Pre-Grammy Parties

• Kanye West
• The Fugees
• John Legend
• Alicia Keys
• Fantasia