to share their fondest memories from almost two decades of television history.
This is the show that changed everything.
This is the story of how.
Credit: Fox; Sam Jones/Fox; Jason Merritt/FilmMagic for Fox Television Network
This … isAmerican Idol.
I remember the firsts of meeting Simon and Paula and Randy.
I asked what the show was about, and I ended up speaking to one of the producers.
I went, Oh my God.
Well, in Hollywood they say that stuff behind your back.
And she goes, Thats the big difference here.
ON SIMON, PAULA & RANDY
ABDUL:It was the perfect storm.
I knew what it felt like to have an annoying brother.
I felt terrible for those kids.
I would attempt to maintain composure in the midst of absurdity.
There were completely, brilliantly delusional ones, equally matched with diamonds.
We were always able to find it.
But I was in a jazz band and I thought we were too cool for stuff like that.
And I was like, Yeah.
Im talking about thefirstone.
The one that we had driven seven hours and waited eight hours for in that stadium in St. Louis.
The one that over 7,000 people auditioning that daywantedto have.
They decided to give me a piece of paper that said I would move on to the next round.
CHRIS DAUGHTRY, 4th place, season 5:Everything was so new and uncertain.
Nerve-wracking and exciting at the same time.
It was a big, rigorous process out there in the stadium.
That was my income, my health insurance.
It was a big risk.
KRIS ALLEN, winner, season 8:I remember just putting blinders on.
I didnt have one in the first place.
I really had nothing to lose.
If I was to [audition] now, I would do worse I would worry more.
I was just in that point of life where I didnt have a worry in the world.
Thats what made it fun.
It changed the trajectory of all of our lives and of television.
STUDDARD:It was pandemonium.
I think after Kelly won, everybody was hungry for that thing that made her who she was.
Folks just went crazy.
Im just like, Holy s, theres Prince.
And I remember I held out my hand and was like, Its such an honor to meet you.
I just probably made sounds, actually.
ABDUL:Many people named their dogs and cats Simon, Paula, and Randy.
I know that for a fact.
Millions and millions of [fans] of Simon and Paula, that did these novels and full-on screenplays.
They could say, I cant believe so-and-so was eliminated.
I cant believe Chris Daughtry left last night.
Would you like tell Fantasia Im the biggest fan?
Across the country there was a true connection and almost this bonded friendship.
I did, and people that I know did.
I think thats why its been such a success.
When Fantasia was on, Kelly and I were coming back.
We all did anIdolChristmas special like three years in a row.
And then there wasAmerican Juniors, so we were always on that set.
There really wasnt any life away fromIdolbecause we were always around it.
But it was good because it always kept you present in peoples faces.
To me, there is no downside to being associated withAmerican Idol.
UNDERWOOD:The moment that my name was called on the finale show … what an incredible moment!
There was so much excitement and so many nerves in the air.
It seemed like my entire life had led up to that very night.
And when my name was called, it was the happiest moment of my life up to that point.
That moment truly changed my life forever.
Everything that has happened in the past ten-plus years has been because of that moment.
TAYLOR HICKS, winner, season 5:The show changed my life forever.
I went from playing small venues in the Southeast to Southeast Asia.
In a nutshell, thats what it does for your career.
SCOTTY McCREARY, winner, season 10:Idolis a huge platform.
Its not a career, however.
SEACREST:It did get emotional for me, for sure.
You get to know the contestants.
Kris [Allen] won and I was happy for him.
I knew I was going to make an album whether or not I won.
DAUGHTRY:The night that it all ended for me was crazy.
I remember Hugh Jackman being in the dressing room waiting to say hi after.
That was kind of like my consolation prize, I guess.
ABDUL:The truth is, it was time for me to leave.
I look at the president, who cant stay in office more than eight years.
Ive never had the same job for eight years.
I felt that there were changes happening, and it didnt feel like the same show.
And the show did change when I left.
I would say to Simon, You know, the show ended when I left.
You were still there for almost two more years.
Hed say, Oh, shut up.
She had been such a fan and had seen every year, every episode.
It was if she had been a judge already.
JENNIFER LOPEZ:When they asked me to do it, it was a big decision, you know?
It fit into my life perfectly, and I felt like it would be a good thing.
And it was a great thing.
KEITH URBAN:Ill miss the camaraderie between Harry, J.
Lo, and Ryan, and the behind the scenes people.
Theres a real family vibe atIdol.
SEACREST:[The Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj era] was not a blur.
There was plenty of action on the show that year.
I relish in the uncertainty that this show could be.
You would think that we plan out each and every bit, but we dont.
Everything that the judges and I say is spontaneous.
None of its scripted.
When Simon and I would spar back and forth live, none of that was premeditated.
It was literally all unfolding at the time, and thats what made it so exciting.
ON LEGACY
UNDERWOOD:Idolchanged television forever.
For the first time, fans were given a choice of who they wanted to hear on the radio.
They related to the contestants on the show.
It was the ultimate Cinderella story.
ABDUL:The show gave so much hope that you, too, can achieve a dream.
STUDDARD:You could see its impact on the music industry as a whole.
You had two people that had multi-platinum albums.
The show came along in a time when our country needed some hope it was right after 9/11.
It was very inspiring for people to come together and root for the underdog, for a regular person.
A lot of parents would tell me its the only thing the kids would sit and do with them.
People were so invested emotionally in it.
I dont think Ive heard that kind of passionate discussion about any of the other shows or their contestants.
LOPEZ:Ill miss the people.
Everybody looked out for each other.
ALLEN:We all keep in touch as much as we can.
Theres only a big handful of people now that really know what thats like.
SEACREST:Theres no reason to highlight your hair.
I dont think that was necessary.
For some reason I thought that was a good idea at the time.
