American Idol (season 7) American Idol (season 7) The seventh season of "American Idol", the annual reality show and singing competition, began on January 15, 2008 and concluded on May 21, 2008. Ryan Seacrest continued to host the show with Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson returning as judges. David Cook was announced the winner of the competition on May 21, 2008, defeating runner-up David Archuleta by a margin of roughly 12 million votes out of over 97 million, which was at that time the highest recorded vote total ever recorded in the show's history. The split was 56% to 44%. The seventh
Cenla Idol lightly featured on the show. Her Hollywood auditions were also cut short after two rounds. The local television ratings for "American Idol" in Alexandria has remained high, due in part to "Cenla Idol". Of the thirteen winners of WNTZ's local "American Idol" audition contest, eleven won in their first attempt. Jacey Cornell won in 2008 after competing three times prior to her win. Jonas Augustine won in 2012 after being a semifinalist in 2011. † "Winner of "Natchez Idol" competition, produced by WNTZ prior to "Cenla Idol" in 2004. Even though Allen was sent to American Idol to audition, she