David Cook

Guide Note

David Cook was the winner of American Idol Season 7. Cook was named the winner during the FOX reality show's live finale on May 21, 2008.

Host Ryan Seacrest said more than 97 million votes were cast in the contest, with Cook garnering 12 million more votes than fellow contestant David Archuleta.

Idol judge Simon Cowell said that Cook's performances of Lionel Richie's "Hello" and "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson were among his strongest performances of the season. His other performances like "Always Be My Baby" by Mariah Carey and The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" also received high marks from the judges.

Throughout the season, Cook was considered a frontrunner in the competition. Week after week, he avoided ever landing in the bottom three.

Fast Facts

1. Full Name: David Roland Cook
2. Born: December 20, 1982
3. Birthplace: Houston, Texas
4. Hometown: Blue Springs, Missouri
5. Audition City: Omaha
6. Cites Our Lady Peace and Chris Daughtry as musical inspirations
7. Education: Central Missouri State University
8. Brothers: Adam Cook and Andrew Cook
9. Won American Idol on May 21, 2008

Cook is a musician and former bartender from Tulsa, Oklahoma. He received his Golden Ticket to Hollywood after he sang Bon Jovi's "Livin On a Prayer." Cook actually agreed to audition for Idol as support for his younger brother, Andrew Cook, who didn't make the cut.

A seasoned performer, Cook made his first stage appearance in the second grade, when his teacher gave him a solo in the school choir performance. Cook went on to perform in most of his school's Christmas and PTA programs. In middle school and high school, Cook was a part of the choir and drama programs. He also performed with bands throughout high school and college.

In 2008, after touring with the band Midwest Kings, he went solo.

Cook received a scholarship in theater to Central Missouri State University. After two semesters, he changed majors and graduated in 2006 with a graphic design degree. Cook is a self-proclaimed "word nerd" and a big fan of crossword puzzles.

1. "I started this season, much to Simon's chagrin, as the word nerd, but now I'm at a loss for words."— After winning American Idol
2. "I just want to give myself until I'm 26 years old to get a job."
3. "...when Randy, Paula or Simon talks to you, unless they ask you a question, you probably shouldn't say a word, which in turn has allowed me to listen a little bit more."