Hello, American Idol

Archuleta, then 16, brought to the audition room not only a passionate version of John Mayer's ''Waiting on the World to Change,'' but also a compelling backstory: Two years earlier, the kid suffered partial vocal paralysis and feared he would never sing, or even talk, again. ''I heard no signs of any vocal whatever...it was great,'' Randy said, before the judges unanimously sent him to Hollywood.