'American Idol': 23 Classic Sob Stories

The Cuban-born ice cream scooper, 21, has suffered an extreme stutter since childhood — he was bullied at school, grew up with few friends, and the only way he can communicate without struggle is via melody. If only his performances were more in-tune?and if only Lazaro knew the lyrics! As English is his second language, it's difficult for him to learn and memorize songs — recently, to the detriment of his fellow singers in a disastrous ''Sugar Pie Honey Bunch'' trio. Lazaro's story is inspiring, but at this point his staying power as a Top 8 finalist is perplexing. 3 tears —Annie Barrett

Everything the New Orleans native had in this world — save for his rich, uniquely toned voice — was washed away by Hurricane Katrina. The 19-year-old is singing to support his family (Nicki Minaj can relate, let her tell you!) and determinedly put himself through a rigorous weight-loss regimen to arrive at Hollywood Week trim and healthy. Now a Top 8 finalist, the only things that can bring down this talent are his ridiculous finger-flutters during performances. 2 tears —Annie Barrett

The 22-year-old experienced double tragedy at a young age — her dad died in a plane crash when she was 12, and her mother died in a car accident when she was 16. Her moving story touched the judges during Hollywood Week, when Kree said her solo, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals' ''Stars,'' explained how she felt with her parents gone. The versatile country singer with a lot more up her billowing sleeves could stand to tap into more emotional material like this as the season goes on. 4 tears —Annie Barrett

It's not supposed to happen to young people. Out of the blue, Jessica's boyfriend had a sudden, devastating stroke. He eventually woke out of a long coma, but with disabilities. Jessica stuck by him and became his caretaker. In his interview package, he says he'd be nowhere without her. In front of the judges, Jessica took a moment to compose herself before singing ''Again'' by Faith Evans. Her refreshing contemporary R&B style would stand out without the backstory, and the judges sent her to Hollywood. 4 tears —MJ Santilli

Romeo's family fled war-torn Liberia in the early 1990s, spending many years in a refugee camp in Ghana. Eventually, the young hopeful's family was able to emigrate to the U.S. ''I never thought we'd make it, because I saw so many people perish,'' he says of the family's difficult time in Ghana. Romeo's rendition of the reggae classic, ''Is This Love'' by Bob Marley and the Wailers helped send him to Hollywood. 5 tears —MJ Santilli

American Idol introduced a very distinct physical affliction into the lexicon of sob stories with Ramiro, who was born with no ears. Doctors said the young worship leader would never be able to hear or speak, but after many surgeries, he was not only able to speak and hear but sing as well. After a sweet, but unremarkable rendition of ''Amazing Grace'' for the judges, they couldn't resist putting him through to Hollywood. 3 tears —MJ Santilli

James has a triple-whammy sob story. At 9 years old, James lost his father to a drug overdose. Later, young James would be diagnosed with both Tourettes, an affliction that causes involuntary vocal tics, and Aspergers, a high-functioning form of autism. James cried as he described how he was teased and bullied at school. James met the ''angel'' who would ''change his life'' — the woman who eventually bore his child. But at the time of his audition, James had no job and could barely afford to buy his kid diapers. Inside the audition room, James impressed the judges with his high notes, including Steven Tyler, who appreciated the young rock singer's version of Aerosmith's ''Dream On.'' James eventually advanced to fourth place, ensuring that he'd be able to keep his baby in diapers, at least for the foreseeable future. 5 tears —MJ Santilli

After a terrible car accident left his fiancée Juliana severely brain damaged, Chris became her caretaker. Only two months away from tying the knot, Chris said, ''What kind of guy would I be if I left her when she needed me the most?'' We saw clips of Juliana, vibrant and beautiful one moment, and then post-accident, shaking and in a wheelchair. As if the story isn't heartbreaking enough, after Chris sang The Script's ''Breakeven,'' her family wheeled Juliana into the audition room to meet the judges. Though he advanced to Hollywood, he was cut right before the voting rounds. After he was eliminated, Chris released a digital single, ''What Are Words,'' about his dedication to Juliana. 5 tears —MJ Santilli

When Casey was 21 years old, he was in a serious motorcycle accident. Multiple compound fractures in his femur meant he might never play the guitar again. But he did eventually play, albeit with pain every day. Casey's sad story stopped outside the audition room, as Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi persuaded him to sing with his shirt off for laughs. Later, Casey was able to regain his dignity by demonstrating his miraculous guitar skills. Not only did he prove he was more than a buff bimbo, but his lightning-quick guitar picking helped him advance all the way to third place. 3 tears —MJ Santilli

Chris's life in foster care began at 18 months of age. In all, he lived with over two dozen families. ''I was just a kid who wanted to be loved,'' and music was where he felt most secure, he told Ryan Seacrest. To bring that point home, Chris sang ''Stand by Me'' for the judges. Kara thought his pain and his story would allow him connect to viewers. Guest judge Katy Perry kept it real: ''This is not a lifetime movie, honey.'' But maybe it was — because the drama didn't end. Chris eventually made the Top 24, only to be disqualified after it was discovered he was still under a contract. Tim Urban was called back to take his place. 4 tears —MJ Santilli

Didi's Idol run began as she auditioned in memory of her best friend Rebecca, who passed away four years earlier. As Didi tearfully described their close relationship, we saw photos of the two in happier times. The young singer-songwriter sang ''Hey Jude'' for the judges, breaking down as she finished. Even guest judge Avril Lavigne, dressed in a ridiculous cat outfit, couldn't ruin the gravity of the moment. Didi advanced to Hollywood where she wowed the judges with a beautiful rendition of ''Terrified,'' a song Kara co-wrote. Eventually eliminated in 10th place, there was no shortage of tears for this emotional contestant during her Idol run. 2 tears —MJ Santilli

Aaron's biological parents were so troubled that social services were ready to take him and his brother away. When the 16-year-old hopeful was 5 years old, Aaron's aunt and uncle stepped in to adopt both boys, taking them out of the foster system. Calling his aunt and uncle Mom and Dad, Aaron says they gave him all the things he needed. Fittingly, he sang ''The Climb'' at his audition, impressing the judges enough to advance to Hollywood and eventually the finals, where he was eliminated in fifth place. In the end, not such a sad sob story after all. 2 tears —MJ Santilli

Four weeks before Danny's audition, his wife, who had a heart condition, died during routine surgery. Danny told his heartwrenching story while sobbing in front of the cameras. Clips of Danny's engagement video punctuated the drama, as if this terrible story needed any goosing. There were Idol fans who wondered why Danny would audition while the grief caused by his wife's loss was so fresh. Some even felt his emotional display in his audition footage was a manipulative ploy for votes. The controversy followed him throughout the competition, but it wasn't enough to derail his march all the way to third place. 5 tears —MJ Santilli

Two days before her audition, Asia'h learned that her father died in a car accident. Instead of cancelling, she decided to go ahead with her audition. ''This is what my dad wanted more than anything,'' Asia'h explained, ''for me to succeed and be happy.'' Her tearful rendition of Leann Rimes' ''How Do I Live'' had Paula Abdul in tears. ''I think your dad will be very proud of you,'' said Simon Cowell before all three judges sent her to Hollywood. The emotion-packed segment was given extra punch as Asia'h broke down outside of the audition room. Unfortunately, the young hopeful got cut at the top 16. 5 tears —MJ Santilli

David Archuleta had to stop singing for a couple of years to heal a paralyzed vocal cord. Surgery was an option, but it was risky, so David decided to wait it out. During that time, he wasn't sure if he'd ever sing again. But sing again he did, and at age 16 wowed Randy, Paula, and Simon with John Mayer's ''Waiting for the World to Change.'' Later, he would sing John Lennon's ''Imagine,'' a performance that even elicited compliments from John Lennon's widow, Yoko Ono. David's voice stayed strong, allowing him to finish in second place to David Cook. 2 tears —MJ Santilli

Josiah Leming dropped out of school at 17 and spent the next year living out of this car. On one hand, he insisted he wasn't homeless, but then began to cry when he described how lonely he was living on the road. At age 18, his entire Idol run was characterized by crying jags and drama. Despite his obvious talent as a singer-songwriter — he auditioned in Atlanta with an original song, ''To Run,'' that impressed the judges — he didn't make the Top 24. Maybe the emotional outbursts and his refusal to work with the band in Hollywood did him in. There was never a dull moment with Josiah. 4 tears —MJ Santilli

Angela couldn't catch a break. She auditioned for Idol three times. Her first time, her father died right before Hollywood week. The second year, she made the top 50, but had to drop out to deal with some legal issues. Her third try finally seemed to be the charm for poor beleaguered Angela: She made the Top 40. But right before the Idol season began, her mother went missing. Her mom was eventually found safe, but the good news stopped there as Angela was cut right before the Top 24, her season 9 hopes dashed. (On top of it all, her daughter had Rett Syndrome and needed a ton of care.) At 28, that third try was Angela's last opportunity for Idol. 4 tears —MJ Santilli

While waiting to sing for the judges at auditions, Phil's wife called with news of their second child's birth. Later that day, Phil, who was also lead singer of a Navy band, sang Marvin Gaye's ''Let's Get It On'' and impressed the judges enough to make it through to Hollywood. After, he headed home to his wife, with Idol cameras in tow, to meet his baby girl. Watching Phil hold his child for the first time made for one of the major feel-good moments of the season. The sacrifice was not in vain: Phil went on to make the finals, leaving the competition in sixth place. 3 tears —MJ Santilli

Plucky Kellie Pickler had a sad story indeed. Her mom abandoned her when she was little. At the time that the 19-year-old auditioned, her father, who had a history of drug problems, was in jail. She was raised by her grandparents. When she was handed her golden ticket after a slightly shouty version of Kelly Clarkson's ''Since U Been Gone,'' she broke down outside the audition room. Despite her tough circumstances, Kellie stayed upbeat, amusing Idol audiences with her inability to comprehend exotic foods such as calamari before she was eliminated in sixth place. By the time the finale rolled around, her dad was out of jail and quietly attended the last show. 4 tears —MJ Santilli

Elliott was a newbie who had never performed outside of karaoke. What's more, he was 90 percent deaf in one ear and had had been diagnosed with Type I diabetes at age 16. The 26-year-old was especially close to his mother, whom he described as his ''biggest inspiration.'' She accompanied him to his audition in Boston, but the day he left home for Hollywood, she ended up in the intensive care unit of a hospital after falling ill. Elliott managed to make it through to the live shows despite the worry. But she recovered in time to be by his side throughout most of the competition. Who could forget Elliott's mother weeping next to him in a car during his Richmond, Va., hometown visit? Sadly, his mom passed away a few years after season 5. 3 tears —MJ Santilli

Anthony immigrated to the U.S. from Ukraine with his family. Ryan dubbed him, ''The boy with the miracle voice,'' because, after a tracheotomy he had as a child, Anthony was told by doctors he might never speak again. But not only did he speak, he sang in a beautiful tenor voice that carried him all the way to fourth place. Eventual winner Carrie Underwood was so moved the night Anthony was eliminated she tearfully mouthed the words ''I love you.'' 3 tears —MJ Santilli

Leah's parents were famous singers in Bulgaria who got visas to go on tour. Once they left their homeland, they never went back, defecting to the United States. The family had to struggle, starting from scratch in a new land. As Paula's wild-card pick, Leah's story wasn't dramatic enough to overshadow her pitch-challenged performances. She left the finals in 12th place after a shaky performance of ''You Keep Me Hangin' On.'' 2 tears —MJ Santilli

Nineteen-year-old Jim Verraros revealed during his audition that he had two deaf parents who would never be able to hear his voice. Jim sang and signed his audition song, ''When I Fall in Love'' to a sympathetic judges panel, who sent him on to Hollywood. Simon called Jim's performance ''fabulous.'' It wasn't really, but who could turn down a kid who was so devoted to his parents? He made it into the top 10, but his middling vocals caught up with him. He was eliminated during the first week of the finals. 2 tears —MJ Santilli

EW contributor MJ Santilli is the owner and founder of MJ's Big Blog.