Tamyra Gray
Of the final four contestants during “American Idol’s” first season, both Tamyra and Kelly Clarkson seemed like the most likely to win the competition. But in the third-to-last episode, Tamyra ended up in the bottom two, and she was eliminated. Her elimination was a wake-up call to viewers that no one is safe, not even the most talented singers. Complacent fans basically open the door and push their favorite talented singers out it by not voting. But Tamyra was, tragically, only the first of many.

Jennifer Hudson
With the words “Oscar buzz” being included in the same sentence as Jennifer Hudson’s name, the former “American Idol 3” has obviously found success after the show, most recently in the film “Dreamgirls.” But her elimination from the show outraged a number of people, including guest judge Elton John. He said the show was “incredibly racist” because she and two other black contestants — Fantasia Barrino and LaToya London — “[were] constantly in the bottom three.” Whether viewers were splitting their votes among “the three divas” or viewer votes were racially motivated, Jennifer’s elimination surprised everyone.

Mario Vazquez
During “American Idol 4,” Mario Vazquez was one of the competitors who made it through the semi-final rounds to the top 12. But before he ever performed as a finalist, he quit the show, citing only mysterious “personal reasons,” even though his family said they knew nothing of such reasons. He stuck to that story until last fall, when he said he left because the show’s contract would require him to “do safe pop music,” as if that was a big surprise. The mystery surrounding his departure combined with his continual refusal to explain why he left kept his (self-inflicted) elimination left his exit as one of the most surprising and odd eliminations yet.

Corey Clark
Like Mario Vazquez, Corey Clark was a finalist who left the show without being voted off by viewers. But unlike Mario, Corey didn’t leave on his own. Instead, he was kicked off the show after The Smoking Gun revealed he was “facing trial ... on charges he assaulted his teenage sister and battled with cops while resisting arrest.” Corey wasn’t the first person to be removed — “American Idol 2” also forced others to leave, including Frenchie Davis. The real shock of Corey Clark’s elimination from was felt two seasons later, when he claimed he had an affair with judge Paula Abdul, a charge she denied but one that kept the country talking.

Chris Daughtry
Rocker Chris Daughtry seemed to be the favorite to win “American Idol 5” — until he was sent home. Unlike others whose eliminations were unexpected, Chris didn’t hide his disappointment. On the show, he said, “I’m a little bit in shock,” and later told reporters, “I wasn’t going to pretend to be happy about it.” But like other talented people who left the competition earlier than expected, Chris went on to other successes: Fuel offered him a job as their lead singer, which he turned down, and he later released a solo album that debuted at number two this past December.

Chris Daughtry
Rocker Chris Daughtry seemed to be the favorite to win “American Idol 5” — until he was sent home. Unlike others whose eliminations were unexpected, Chris didn’t hide his disappointment. On the show, he said, “I’m a little bit in shock,” and later told reporters, “I wasn’t going to pretend to be happy about it.” But like other talented people who left the competition earlier than expected, Chris went on to other successes: Fuel offered him a job as their lead singer, which he turned down, and he later released a solo album that debuted at number two this past December.

I can still remember how shocked I was when he got sent home. :eek: :eek: :eek: I think it all worked out for the best though. Chris seems to be way more successful than Taylor Hicks...

And Jennifer Hudson: The Oscar says it all!!!

It just proves that you don't have to win American Idol to be successful. Sometimes the runners-up surpass the winners in popularity and success. :)

Chris Daughtry's elimination was really shocking to me. Oh well, he was better off not winning anyway.

Yea, Chris's was defiantly the most shocking.....Gina Glocksen this season was really shocking too--both of them left way too early, especially Gina!

I still cannot believe that Gina was eliminated.Sanjaya and Hailey need to go next.

I couldn't believe it when Sabrina, Stephanie, Chris. S., AJ, Jared, Sundance, and Gina were all voted off instead of Haley and Sanjaya.

One word for all of you....

CONSTANTINE.

Constantine definitley should've been on there. I was REALLY shocked when he was voted out. Chris was the most shocking to me.