After Carrie Underwood wonAmerican Idolseason 4 in 2005, I attended theAmerican Idols Live!concert, and it confirmed to me what I always knew: she was destined to be a superstar. From Carrie’s audition, I had a feeling thatshe was going to win the show because she was a gifted singer with a phenomenal voice and stage presence. I voted for her hundreds of times on my landline phone. After Carrie won, she went on to become a global superstar, with 85 million records sold worldwide, 28 #1 singles, 8 Grammys, 17 American Music Awards, 10 People’s Choice Awards, and 7 CMA Awards.
AfterAmerican Idolseason 4, Carrie became one of the show’s greatest success stories. I’ve seen her in concert a few times since 2005, and I even had the great pleasure of meeting her at a meet-and-greet, but seeing her live for the first time at theAmerican Idols Live!2005 concerts was especially magical. I also kept a journal at the time, much like the one that Carrie shared in her YouTube series,Idol to Icon.Here’s a look back at theAmerican Idols Live!2005 concert, featuring the season’s Top 10 contestants, based on my journal entry.
American Idol Season 4 Contestant Jessica Sierra Opened The Show
Jessica Placed 10th
I always enjoyed watching Jessica duringAmerican Idolseason 4, and I was sad to see her go home relatively early in the competition.She opened the show with “The Boys Are Back in Town” by Thin Lizzy and “Shop Around” by The Miracles, both of which she’d sung during the show, and I wrote in my journal that she was awesome. With three costume changes, including wearing a New Jersey Devils jersey because we were in their home stadium, she was stylish and had star quality.
American Idol Season 4 Contestant Anwar Robinson Impressed Everyone
Anwar Placed 7th
Anwar was very impressive throughoutAmerican Idolseason 4 because he was a musician at heart. Although the contestants weren’t allowed to play instruments when they sang during the early seasons, he played the piano during the concert, which really impressed me. I wrote about how happy Anwar was because he’s from New Jersey, and he was thrilled to be performing in his home state.It was so exciting to hear him sing “A House Is Not a Home” by Dionne Warwick and “What a Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong liveafter he sang them on the show.
American Idol Season 4 Contestant Constantine Maroulis Rocked The House
Constantine Placed 6th
ThroughoutAmerican Idolseason 4,I was a huge fan of Constantine, and I was shocked when he was eliminated from the show so early. Funnily enough, I was actually at a Kelly Clarkson concert when I heard the news that he was sent home. In my journal entry about theAmerican Idols Live!concert, I raved about Constantine’s extraordinarily amazingAmerican Idols Live!concert performances, and gushed that he was having the time of his life as he performed. He worked the whole stage, and the crowd loved him. I also remember him having incredible stage presence.
During the concert,Constantine recreated hisAmerican Idolseason 4 performances of “Hard to Handle” by The Black Crowes, “My Funny Valentine” by Frank Sinatra, and, my personal favorite, “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. Constantine rocked the house during “Bohemian Rhapsody,” and I remember thinking that he had so much star quality. I wasn’t surprised when he was later nominated for a Tony Award in 2009 for his performance as Drew in Broadway’sRock of Ages.
American Idol Season 4 Contestant Nikko Smith Danced The Night Away
Nikko Placed 9th
Nikko was originallyeliminated fromAmerican Idolseason 4during the Top 16 round, but he returned to the competition when his fellow contestant Mario Vasquez dropped out. I was really happy to see him return and make it to the Top 10, which meant that he’d be touring the United States and Canada. I greatly enjoyed watching him dance duringhis reprise of hisAmerican Idolperformance of “Part-Time Lover” by Stevie Wonder and “Like I Love You” by Justin Timberlake. His voice sounded incredible during “Incomplete” by Sisqó, which he’d sung on the show, and I wrote that I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed his performances.
American Idol Season 4 Contestant Scott Savol Gave Heartfelt Performances
Scott Placed 5th
I was really floored by how awesome Scott’s voice sounded live. It really made me realize that sometimes what the judges hear in person during the live shows doesn’t translate perfectly to TV screens.Scott’s performances of hisAmerican Idolsongs “Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” by Phil Collins and “She’s Gone” by Hall & Oates were excellent, but I especially loved his duet of “Total Eclipse of the Heart” by Bonnie Tyler with Jessica. Scott’s personality also came through when he made everyone laugh by joking that they wouldn’t let him dance during the tour.
American Idol Season 4 Contestant Nadia Turner Showcased Her Powerful Vocals
Nadia Placed 8th
Nadia is one of my favoriteAmerican Idolcontestants of all-time, so I was really looking forward to hearing her sing live, and she did not disappoint. In my journal entry, I wrote that she rocked,playing electric guitar during her version of “The Power of Love” by Ashley Cleveland.
In addition, I raved abouthow unbelievable her rendition of “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” by Dusty Springfield sounded. She sang both of those songs on the show and received much acclaim, and they somehow sounded even better in person. Nadia also sang a mix of “Fire” by Jimi Hendrix and “Try a Little Tenderness” by Otis Redding. In addition to her spectacular vocals, I loved all of Nadia’s movements and facial expressions.
American Idol Season 4 Contestant Vonzell Solomon Worked Her Magic
Vonzell Placed 3rd
After theAmerican Idols Live!2005 concert intermission, I was happy to see Anwar return to sing “Superstition” by Stevie Wonder and play the piano. Then, Vonzell, who placed third in the season, took the stage with him, andshe sang “Karma” by Alicia Keys while he played the piano. I was eagerly awaiting her appearance because she was one of my favorite contestants ever, and still is to this day. I loved her sweet personality and her powerhouse vocals.
I wrote in my journal that she looked gorgeous in a yellow dress, and I couldn’t get over how fantastic her voice sounded live.Vonzell recreated some of her most extraordinaryAmerican Idolseason 4 moments, including “I Have Nothing” by Whitney Houston, “Best of My Love” by The Emotions, and “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan.
American Idol Season 4 Contestant Anthony Fedorov Highlighted His Soaring Vocals
Anthony Placed 4th
Anthony is another one of myall-time favoriteAmerican Idolcontestants, and I was delighted to hear him sing in person. I wrote in my journal that I cried a little during his performance because he was so sensational. I also commented about his powerful stance on stage and his crystal blue eyes.
Anthony wowed everyone withhis recreations of hisAmerican Idolseason 4 performances of “Everytime You Go Away” by Paul Young and “I’ve Got You” by Marc Anthony, during which he danced. He also sang “Can You Stop the Rain” by Peabo Bryson. What really struck me about Anthony was how honored he was to be performing in the concert. He was even overwhelmed by the crowd a couple of times. I loved seeing him live.
American Idol Season 4 Runner-Up Bo Bice Brought The House Down
Bo Placed 2nd
WhenAmerican Idolseason 4 runner-up Botook the stage, I vividly remember screaming uncontrollably because I was so excited. Even though I voted for Carrie throughout the season, I loved Bo too because he was such a magnificent performer who broke new ground on the show by singing rock music. I remember him being such a natural performer and that he filled the whole stage.
I was thrilled to hearBo sing some of hisAmerican Idolsongs live, including “I Don’t Want to Be” by Gavin DeGraw and “Vehicle” by Ides of March. He also performed “Voodoo Chile” by Jimi Hendrix, during which he played a long electric guitar solo. It was awesome to see him play because he wasn’t allowed to do so during season 4.
Bo finished off his set with a rousing rendition of “Sweet Home Alabama” by Lynyrd Skynyrd, an ode to his home state. He had the whole crowd on its feet, and he really was a seasoned performer. I wrote in my journal that I had goosebumps all over again just thinking about Bo’s outstanding performances.
American Idol Season 4 Winner Carrie Underwood Proved Why She Deserved To Be The Champion
Carrie Placed 1st
After Bo’s electrifying performance, it was the moment of truth. I was finally going to see Carrie sing live, and it was everything I imagined it would be and more. I wrote in my journal entry thatshe quickly turned the concert from a rock show into a country music hoedown, wearing a cowboy hat, a turquoise button-down shirt, and jeans, and singing “Sin Wagon” by The Chicks. After that, she sang a fantastic version of “Independence Day” by Martina McBride. She’d sung both of those songs on the show, so hearing her sing them live was a real treat.
However, the most amazing moment of the concert was whenCarrie asked if anyone wanted to hear Heart, which I immediately knew meant thatshe was about to recreate her legendaryAmerican Idolseason 4 performance of “Alone.” During the show, after she sang it, judge Simon Cowell correctly predicted that not only would she winAmerican Idol, but she’d sell more records than any previous winner. I could hardly believe that I had the privilege of hearing her sing the song live.Carrie concluded her set with her winning single, “Inside Your Heaven,” and all of her fellow contestants joined her on stage.
American Idol Season 4 Contestants Gave An Incredible Encore
The Concert Was Phenomenal
During the encore,Carrie and Bo played acoustic guitars and sang a duet of “Bless the Broken Road” by Rascal Flatts, which she’d sung on the show to rave reviews. It was such a beautiful moment, and it gave them the chance to shine musically as they showcased their guitar skills. After Carrie and Bo’s heartfelt performance,the entire Top 10 came back out on stage to sing “Lean on Me” by Bill Withers and “R.O.C.K. in the U.S.A.” by John Mellencamp. It was such a fun and exciting moment, and I wrote in my journal that they were the bestAmerican Idolgroup ever.
Even though I saw something special inCarrie during herAmerican Idolseason 4 audition, the first moment that I heard Carrie sing live confirmed to me that she was going to be a superstar. She’s a gifted singer, and she’s astonishingly somehow gotten even better throughout the past two decades. I’m so happy that I’ve had the honor of hearing her sing live multiple times and also to have met her.I hope Carrie returns forAmerican Idolseason 24 because I love seeing her on the show.
