The Shocking Winner And Where The 'Three Divas' Of American Idol Season 3 Are Now

The question of who won American Idol the year Jennifer Hudson competed is one of the most persistent pieces of trivia in television history, a testament to the show’s massive cultural impact and one of its biggest surprise eliminations. The winner of American Idol Season 3, which aired in 2004, was the powerhouse vocalist Fantasia Barrino. While Fantasia claimed the coveted title, her victory is often remembered alongside the shocking, premature exit of Jennifer Hudson, who finished in a surprising seventh place. This season, judged by the iconic trio of Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul, and Randy Jackson, became a defining moment for all its top contestants, launching multiple careers that continue to dominate the entertainment industry today, with major updates as recent as late 2024.

The 2004 season, hosted by Ryan Seacrest, is now legendary for its incredible concentration of talent, particularly the trio dubbed the "Three Divas": Fantasia Barrino, Jennifer Hudson, and LaToya London. While the results board showed Fantasia on top and Hudson eliminated early, the subsequent two decades have proven that the true measure of success extends far beyond the final vote count.

The American Idol Season 3 Finalists: A Complete Roster

The third season of American Idol, which premiered in January 2004, showcased an exceptionally strong group of singers. The competition was fierce, setting the stage for one of the most memorable—and debated—finales in the show’s history.

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American Idol Season 3 Final Rankings

• Winner: Fantasia Barrino
• Runner-Up: Diana DeGarmo
• 3rd Place: Jasmine Trias
• 4th Place: LaToya London
• 5th Place: George Huff
• 6th Place: John Stevens
• 7th Place: Jennifer Hudson
• 8th Place: Jon Peter Lewis
• 9th Place: Leah LaBelle
• 10th Place: Camile Velasco
• 11th Place: Matthew Rogers
• 12th Place: Amy Adams

The elimination of Jennifer Hudson at seventh place, following a "country week" performance, sent shockwaves through the audience and the judges’ panel. Simon Cowell famously declared it a major mistake, a prediction that has been emphatically proven true by Hudson's historic career trajectory.

Fantasia Barrino: From Idol Winner to Time100 Icon

Fantasia Barrino, the Season 3 champion, defeated runner-up Diana DeGarmo by a narrow margin of just 1.3 million votes. Her victory was the start of a multi-faceted career that has seen her achieve great success in music, theatre, and film.

The Winner's Latest Career Updates

Fantasia’s career has seen a remarkable resurgence and continued evolution, cementing her status as a major R&B and Soul artist. She has consistently released albums, earning a Grammy Award and multiple nominations.

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• Critical Acclaim: In 2024, Fantasia was named one of Time100's Most Influential People of 2024, recognizing her impact across the entertainment industry.
• Film Success: She earned widespread critical praise for her role as Celie in the 2023 movie musical adaptation of The Color Purple, a role she famously played on Broadway.
• New Ventures: Fantasia is actively pursuing new business enterprises and has been reportedly working in the studio on a new gospel album.

Fantasia’s journey is a powerful example of an American Idol winner who leveraged the platform into a sustained, high-level career, transitioning successfully between music, Broadway, and Hollywood.

Jennifer Hudson: The EGOT Winner Who Finished Seventh

The narrative of Season 3 is often dominated by Jennifer Hudson’s stunning elimination. Finishing 7th in the competition, Hudson’s exit was a painful moment for fans, but it ultimately became the catalyst for one of the most decorated post-Idol careers of all time.

Achieving the Impossible: EGOT Status

In a twist of fate that proves the Idol results are not the final word, Jennifer Hudson has achieved the rare and coveted EGOT status—winning an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony Award.

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• Oscar Win: She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her debut film role as Effie White in Dreamgirls (2006).
• Grammy Wins: She has won multiple Grammy Awards, including for her self-titled debut album.
• Emmy Win: She won a Daytime Emmy Award for her role as an executive producer on the animated short Baba Yaga.
• Tony Win: Hudson completed her EGOT in 2022 by winning a Tony Award as a co-producer for the Broadway musical A Strange Loop.

Beyond the EGOT, Hudson hosts her own daytime talk show, The Jennifer Hudson Show, and continues to perform, with a "Deck the Hall" Holiday Concert added to her schedule in late 2024.

Where Are the Other 'Three Divas' and the Runner-Up Today?

The Season 3 talent pool was so deep that even those who didn't win or achieve EGOT status have gone on to forge significant, varied careers. The stories of runner-up Diana DeGarmo and the fourth-place finisher LaToya London are equally compelling and current.

Diana DeGarmo (Runner-Up)

Diana DeGarmo, the Season 3 runner-up, has focused heavily on a successful career in musical theater, both on Broadway and in touring productions.

• Broadway Career: She has starred in numerous Broadway shows, including Hairspray, Hair, and 9 to 5: The Musical.
• Recent Projects: In 2024, she was involved in various performances, including serving as an emcee and performer at the MTSU Arts Celebration Concert and starring in productions like Little Shop of Horrors.
• Personal Life: She is married to fellow American Idol contestant Ace Young (Season 5).

LaToya London (Fourth Place)

Often considered the third member of the "Three Divas," LaToya London was another shocking elimination, leaving the judges stunned. She has maintained a strong presence in music and stage work.

• Stage Work: London has starred in numerous stage plays, including a role in the production of Set It Off alongside Da Brat and Vanessa Simmons.
• Music and Entrepreneurship: She continues to work on new music and is developing her lifestyle brand.
• Surprising 2024 Update: In a major career pivot in August 2024, LaToya S. London announced her candidacy for a political office in Lauderhill, Florida, demonstrating a new focus on community and public service.

The legacy of American Idol Season 3 is not just about who won, but about the sheer volume of talent that emerged. Fantasia Barrino’s win was well-deserved, but the season’s lasting impact is defined by the careers of all the "Three Divas"—Fantasia, Jennifer Hudson, and LaToya London—each of whom has gone on to achieve remarkable, unique successes in the two decades since the show aired.