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Top 5 Artists ‘American Idol’ Finalists Should Avoid Covering


  • Top 5 Artists ‘American Idol’ Contestants Should Avoid
    1 of 8

    FOX / Getty

    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
    2 of 8

    Getty Images

    5. Artist: Michael Jackson <br> Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 4<br> 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
    3 of 8

    Getty Images

    4. Artist: Aretha Franklin <br>Number of Contestants Eliminated Over the Years: 5 <br>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
    4 of 8

    Getty Images

    3. Artist: Alicia Keys <br>Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 6 <br>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.
    5 of 8

    Getty Images

    2. Artist: Whitney Houston<br> Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 7 <br>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
    6 of 8

    Getty Images

    1. Artist: Stevie Wonder <br>Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 8 <br>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.”

  • The Temptations circa 1962
    7 of 8

    Getty Images

    Honorable Mention Artist: Temptations <br>Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 4 <br>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…

  • Donna Summer
    8 of 8

    Getty Images

    Honorable Mention Artist: Donna Summer <br>Number of Contestants Eliminated Over The Years: 4 <br>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…

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