The ninth season of American Idol premiered on January 12, 2010. Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi all returned as judges. Paula Abdul did not. When the American Idol finale airs next week, it really will be the final “moment like this” for fans. The show is forgoing the tradition of having a finalist. LOS ANGELES - Former American Idol finalist Rickey E. Smith Jr. was killed Friday morning in a car crash in Oklahoma, the Associated Press reports. Smith was 36. After American Idol's season six survived all of the controversy surrounding the questionable talent of contestant Sanjaya Malakar, the finale came down to. The thirteenth season of American Idol, styled as American Idol XIII, premiered on the Fox television network on January 15, 2014. Ryan Seacrest returned as host for. 168. Danny Gokey (Season 8, Placed 3rd) Season eight was perhaps Idol's pinnacle; it also had a contestant who might have been the closest villain analogue Idol has. Former “American Idol” finalist Rickey E. Smith Jr. was killed Friday morning in a car crash in Oklahoma, Variety has confirmed. Smith was 36. Meet the rest of the top singer here. Malaya Watson Southfield, Michigan Born: Sept. 24, 1997. Prior to season 13, all of the American Idol contestants had. billboard.com La'Porsha Renae, Guordan Banks To Perform at Living Legends Awards Gala La'Porsha Renae, American Idol's final season runner-up, and chart-topping R&B. The third season of American Idol premiered on Monday, January 19, 2004 and continued until May 26, 2004. The third season was won by Fantasia Barrino, who defeated.