[1] An audition was originally planned for Memphis, Tennessee, but that was canceled due to the Hurricane Katrina relief effort that was taking place there,[2] and replaced by Las Vegas, Nevada, and Greensboro, North Carolina.

[11] Producers Ken Warwick and Nigel Lythgoe denied being aware of her fears or that they would put her in danger.

[12][13] The Hollywood semifinal rounds were held at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles and consisted of 175 contestants.

Queen band members Brian May and Roger Taylor served as guest mentors for this week.

Color key: In January 2006, twins Derrell and Terrell Brittenum were charged with forgery and theft after allegedly using a false identity to purchase a car.

[14] On the April 25 show, the theme of which was Greatest Love Songs and featured guest mentors Andrea Bocelli and David Foster, executive producer Nigel Lythgoe forced contestant Taylor Hicks to change his song a day before airtime.

[15] American Idol was the top-rated show for the 2005–06 TV season and occupied the top two positions.

Of them, Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee, Elliott Yamin, Chris Daughtry, and Kellie Pickler were distributed by Sony BMG Music Entertainment; Bucky Covington by Universal Music Group; and Ace Young and Mandisa by EMI.

Taylor Hicks' first post-Idol single, "Do I Make You Proud," debuted at number one and was certified gold.

Their eponymous debut album sold over 5 million copies, surpassing the two-album totals of former winners Ruben Studdard and Fantasia, and produced two top-ten singles.

[37] Katharine McPhee's debut album sold 374,000 copies and she had two Top 40 Billboard hits.

Kellie Pickler's Small Town Girl reached number one on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and was certified gold, selling over 815,000 copies.

Elliott Yamin's eponymous debut album was certified gold and produced a platinum-selling single.