Idaho's Jon Peter Lewis used his college loan money to audition in Honolulu. Simon Cowell and Randy Jackson both enjoyed his rendition of "Endless Love" and passed him through to Hollywood. He was part of Semifinals Group 3 where his performance of Tiny Dancer garnered many fans, though he ultimately placed third on the night and was beaten out by LaToya London and Amy Adams. He was brought back for the Wildcard episode where America put him through to the finals after an energetic cover of A Little Less Conversation.

Lewis seemed genuinely liked by most viewers, though his "Q-rating" never really translated into high approval ratings.  His top-rated performance was Drift Away in the Final 12, coming in at just 46.  Three 2-star performances followed; Simon alternatingly wondering if he was a "dark horse" to win it all or dismissing him as being reminiscent of a "pen salesman."  Through it all, Lewis was never in the bottom three until his departure, finishing eighth with Jailhouse Rock.

After Idol, he had offers to create a major label record, but he instead decided to release independently to ensure he could make the kind of music he wanted to make. In November 2007, Lewis became the first Idol finalist to release an independent album with Stories From Hollywood. His second studio album, Break the Silence, was released on June 3, 2008. Lewis contributes to Entertainment Weekly's American Idol coverage and makes frequent appearances on TV Guide Channel's "chat" shows.

...by Desi Rottman and the staff of WNTS.com