It was a true honor for Jennifer Hudson to sing the only tribute song performed at the 2012 Grammy Awards for the late Whitney Houston. But that isn't the only connection between "American Idol" and the legendary pop singer.
Jennifer Hudson idolized Whitney Houston. She made it abundantly clear during Season 3 of "American Idol," where she performed not one but two of the pop diva's songs in her rise through the competition. And Hudson gave a masterful performance at the 2012 Grammy Awards when producers call her in to sing a tribute to the legendary singer the day after her untimely death. But as most "American Idol" fans know, Whitney Houston has long had a connection in song with the show.
"American Idol" has embarked on its 11th season. In all those eleven seasons, hundreds of thousands have auditioned. Thousands have tried to get a gold ticket to Hollywood by singing -- or at least attempting to sing -- Whitney Houston standards. She's is one of what judge Randy Jackson dubs the "Big Three" (Mariah Carey and Celine Dion complete the trio). And he says that contestants should avoid singing their songs. Although most who attempt to emulate them, and Houston in particular, have been unsuccessful, there have been a few that have made it.
The "American Idol" official website lists 25 finalist songs performed over the years. And there were more, considering that they only listed one by Jennifer Hudson (besides her Top 8 performance of "I Have Nothing," she also sang "I Believe In You And Me" and was chosen in the Wild Card round to make the Season 3 finalist cut). Among those were Season 5 runner-up Katherine McPhee (Top 6, "I Have Nothing"), Season 6 third-place finisher Melinda Doolittle (Top 3, "I Believe In You And Me"), Season 7 runner-up David Archuleta (Top 7, "When You Believe"), and Season 10 third-placer Haley Reinhart (Top 12, "I'm Your Baby Tonight").
The pop legend has been named as an inspiration by uncounted numbers of auditioners and finalists. Among the finalists who listed her as one of their chief singing inspirations -- besides Hudson -- were Diana DeGarmo (Season 3 runner-up), Syesha Mercado (Season 7, third place), Kristy Lee Cook (Season 7, seventh place), and Ashley Rodriguez (Season 9, Top 24).
Judge Randy Jackson produced music with Houston and actually played bass and piano on her first two albums, Whitney and I'm Your Baby Tonight.
With Houston's untimely death, it is a certainty that she will get a tribute night on "American Idol" during Season 11.
(photo credit: Mark Kettenhofen, Wikimedia Commons)
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