Top 5 Artists ‘American Idol’ Finalists Should Avoid Covering

Top 5 Artists ‘American Idol’ Contestants Should Avoid

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Contestants spend a considerable amount of time picking the pitch-perfect song to display their vocal abilities to the judges and the audience – but which artists would they be wise to steer clear of if they hope to advance? AccessHollywood.com has…

Michael Jackson performs on stage during his ‘Dangerous’ concert tour, New York in 1993

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5. Artist: Michael Jackson Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 4 It’s Not Always Bad News: Season 1 contestant Justin Guarini took on Jackson’s “P.Y.T. (Pretty Young Thing)” early on in the competition – and made it work. Guarini…

Aretha Franklin performs at the Candie’s Foundation 2011 event to prevent benefit gala at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, on May 3, 2011

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4. Artist: Aretha Franklin Number of Contestants Eliminated Over the Years: 5 It’s Not Always Bad News: “Chain of Fools” may have knocked out two “Idol” contestants, but it was a step towards victory for Season 2’s eventual winner Fantasia…

Alicia Keys performs onstage during the BET Awards ‘11 held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on June 26, 2011

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3. Artist: Alicia Keys Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 6 It’s Not Always Bad News: Three contestants may have been knocked out after singing ‘If I Ain’t Got You,” but Season 4’s Vonzell Solomon successfully advanced after singing…

Whitney Houston performs at the 2009 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons honoring Clive Davis at the Beverly Hilton Hotel on February 7, 2009 in Beverly Hills, California.

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2. Artist: Whitney Houston Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 7 It’s Not Always Bad News: Season three contestant Jennifer Hudson sang Houston’s “I Have Nothing” during her run on “American Idol.” Even though Hudson was eliminated…

Stevie Wonder performs ‘Never Dreamed You’d Leave In Summer’ onstage at the Michael Jackson public memorial service

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1. Artist: Stevie Wonder Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 8 It’s Not Always Bad News: Taylor Hicks was pronounced the winner of “American Idol’s” Season 5 right after singing a rendition of Wonder’s “Living for the City.”

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Honorable Mention Artist: Temptations Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 4 It’s Not Always Bad News: All songs by the Temptations do not mean doom for “American Idol” contestants. After singing “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg” very early in…

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Honorable Mention Artist: Donna Summer Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 4 It’s Not Always Bad News: Rumor has it, for those lucky enough, Donna Summer can help you advance in the competition. Just ask Kris Allen of Season 8. Allen…