Season 8 begins as Simon, Paula and Randy are back to hear the auditions for this year's show.

The auditions continue from Kansas City.

The judges move to San Francisco to audition the next group of singers.

More than 10,000 hardy performers braved extremely hot and muggy weather and turned out for auditions for Season 8 of American Idol in Louisville.

12,000 hardy auditioners turned out in torrential rain in Jacksonville, Florida to sing for the chance to be on season 8 of American Idol.

Thousands of hopeful auditioners streamed into Salt Lake City for their chance to show us that they have the talent to be the next American Idol.

The final auditions take place as the judges head to New York City and then San Juan, PR. in search for the next American Idol.

The first round in Hollywood begins as the judges take a look at this seasons talent.

The second installment of the Hollywood performances continue.

The singing hopefuls continue their journey in Hollywood as they try for a spot in the Top 36.

The contestants from all over the country have performed tirelessly in front of the judges and faced stiff competition while in Hollywood. Now it's time they reveal the Top 36 who will move on and have a chance at becoming this year's American Idol.

Let the competition begin, as the first 12 of 36 semifinalists performs.

The first nine contestants are cut and three move on to the finals.

The second group of 12 contestants take the stage for their chance of moving on to the finals.

The second set of 3 finalists are chosen, while nine more contestants are released.

The third group of 12 performers take the stage for a chance of being named one of the three who will be moving on to the next round.

Nine singers are eliminated as 3 more are chosen to remain from the final pool of 12 performers.

3 More contestants chosen in Wildcard Round to complete the Top 12

Season eight sees it's first performances from the 13 chosen contestants.

Two of the 13 finalists are voted off the show.

The remaining 11 singers compete.

One of the remaining 11 contestants are voted off the show.

The third showcase features songs from the Motown song library. Motown legends Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy make an appearance.

Smokey Robinson and Ruben Studdard perform live before one more contestant is eliminated.

The remaining nine performers take the stage for your vote.

The nine remaining finalist will see one more voted off. Also, a performance by season 7 winner David Cook and Lady GaGa.

This week's performance showcases feature songs from the year each performer was born for the eight remaining singers.

Former season five contestant Kellie Pickler comes back to perform before one more singer is eliminated.

The remaining seven performers take the stage to sing songs from the cinema. Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino acts as the guest mentor.

It's the end of a dream for one of the remaining seven contestants as another singer is eliminated. Season 3 finalist Jennifer Hudson and Miley Cyrus each perform.

The seven remaining singers will be challenged with a disco tune theme.

This episode will end with 2 contestants being eliminated. Performances from disco week include Harry Casey, Thelma Houston and Freda Payne singing a medley of the genres gems. Also, season 7 runner up David Archuleta stops by to sing a song.

This week's performances will come from the songbook of the Rat Pack, the 1960's cool crooners who also went by the names of Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr.

Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks returns to the stage for a performance before one more contestant is released.

Guest mentor Slash, (Guns 'n Roses, Velvet Revolver) help the remaining four singers with their rock songs for this week's performance.

The votes are in and 1 more of the remaining 4 singers are dismissed from the series. Also included are performances from No Doubt and Daughtry.

The series 300th episode finds the Top 3 singers performing two songs apiece in the performance edition.

Tonight will reveal the final two contestants after one more singer is eliminated. Songstress Katy Perry and season six winner Jordin Sparks make an appearance.

Presented live from the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, the final performances from the Top 2 contestants in their last competition.

The season 8 finale live from Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, features a reunion of the Top 13 finalists before naming this season’s winner.