I never voted for her either and could not understand how she made it through the top 24!
I think the really funny thing is that the judges loved Fantasia from the get-go that season, and they really disliked Jennifer Hudson. Fast forward a few years, and both Fantasia and Jennifer are trying out for the same role in the movie version of 'Dreamgirls.' The movie's producers loved Jennifer, hired her, and she wins an Oscar. Her career takes off while Fantasia's career is stalled at the stage where the best she can do is be an opening act for bigger stars.
Just goes to show how much Simon, Randy and Paula really know about finding talent.