Diana DeGarmo vs. Fantasia Barrino American Idol Season 3 2004

Diana DeGarmo 1st Song-I Believe



Diana DeGarmo took a bold move singing this song with the choir and it being her first song. The judges thought that Diana DeGarmo did a really good job. Simon Cowell thought that it's hard to believe at 16 that Diana climbed over mountains. Anyway, first song done and strong performance to kick off the finale against Fantasia Barrino. 

Note: Jasmine Trias flipped a coin when she was eliminated and Diana DeGarmo called tails and Fantasia Barrino called heads and it was heads. Fantasia said she would go second and Diana who lost the coin toss would go first in this Season 3 Finale of American Idol.

Fantasia Barrino 1st Song-All My Life

The judges had mixed reactions about Fantasia Barrino singing this song. Thought that Fantasia should have chose a better song. Simon Cowell did not like the song choice and felt Fantasia "should be lucky that she is singing more than one song" because he thought that it was a complete and utter mess. Simon have to be Simon. Round 1 goes to Diana DeGarmo.

Diana DeGarmo 2nd Song-No More Tears

Probably would have been a much better song to sing to kick off the finale with. Diana DeGarmo slayed this song. Diana proved why she deserved to be in the finale with Fantasia. 

Fantasia Barrino 2nd Song-The Greatest Love of All

Probably would have been a much better song to sing to kick off the finale with. Fantasia brought emotion and made this song her own. Whether you liked or disliked Fantasia you can't argue how talented and great vocally Fantasia is. Fantasia and Diana made Season 3 the battle for the title to remember on AI. Round 2 goes to Diana DeGarmo.

Diana DeGarmo 3rd Song-Don't Cry Out Loud

Probably Diana's signature song of AI Season 3. Diana slayed this song the first time Elton John picked this song for her to sing when he was a guest judge. Diana slayed this song again in the finale. I recall Simon Cowell saying, "Diana came to win this competition."

Fantasia Barrino 3rd Song-Summertime

Probably one of Fantasia's signature song of AI Season 3. Fantasia made a statement when she picked this song. The first 2 songs didn't go over well with the judges. Fantasia came back strong and proved why she is the front-runner in this competition. Round 3 slight edge goes to Fantasia Barrino.

Diana DeGarmo 4th and Final Song-Don't Cry Out Loud (Reprise)

Diana tried too hard to go for the knock out blow. She slayed this song when she song it for her 3rd song. Diana should have probably sing this song once and let it be her 4th and final song. She went by the comments what the judges said and tried to slay it again. Fantasia nailed Summertime and Diana wanted to deliver the knock out blow. The song was pitchy in parts but not bad considering issues with her microphone. With that being said there is no excuses because she nailed the other 3 songs that she sung.

Fantasia Barrino 4th and Final Song-I Believe

Fantasia saw how this competition was one of the obstacles she climbed through. At 19 and a single mom Fantasia knew that she needed this competition to help provide for her and her baby. Fantasia showed that this is how you come back and win when you are down and look like you are about to lose. Simon Cowell said to Fantasia, "Fantasia that was your acceptance speech, Congratulations!" Fantasia was calm and did a fantastic job singing this song and completely nailed it. Round 4 and final round hands down goes to Fantasia.

Fantasia Barrino-Winner Fantasia won by 1.3 million (only 2%). In my humble opinion this have not been this close since when Clay Aiken and Ruben Studdard battled it out for the title in Season 2 of American Idol.