American Idol’ picks finalists, and they’re a diverse dozen
One school of Idol thought holds that we could skip the whole three-month ritual of the finals and just mail teen heartthrob David Archuleta the American Idol crown right now.
Another school says hold on now, Carly Smithson is the best female pop singer the show’s uncovered since Kelly Clarkson, so don’t count her out.
Other, smaller schools hold out hope for rockers David Cook and Michael Johns, or fresh-scrubbed folkie Brooke White.
Idol’’s David Hernandez breaks silence on stripper reports: “I’m here to sing”
American Idol contestant David Hernandez has finally broken his silence on press reports that he performed nude, reportedly for a “mostly male” clientele, at a Phoenix, Arizona, strip club called Dick’s Cabaret. “You know, honestly, I’m here to sing,” Hernandez told EW.com at the Idol Top 12 party in West Hollywood on March 6. The singer appeared cool-headed and relaxed, despite the controversy. “I think America’s judging us all off of our voices right now. Obviously they were, because I’m still in the Top 12, thank God.
America voted — 12 were sent home — now, the competition for the next singing sensation begins in earnest as the Top 12 will compete to see who will become the next “American Idol.” But first, ET’s KEVIN FRAZIER was at a party to celebrate the occasion with judges SIMON COWELL, RANDY JACKSON and PAULA ABDUL, as well as host RYAN SEACREST — and the Top 12 — held at WOLFGANG PUCK’s restaurant in the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, CA!
As the sun set Thursday on Los Angeles, it left behind a streaky pink sky … and only 12 Idols remaining this season. While the contestants heard vote counts and left the stage, TV Guide’s Top 12 party was getting underway at a rooftop venue. Inside the event, cameras queued up, lights were bright and publicists, crew members and press buzzed about, eyeing the congratulatory cupcakes adorned with each Idol’s photo.
Suddenly, the contestants burst into the room, cameras started snapping and the party had officially begun. The mood was exuberant, the energy electric. TVGuide.com was there to congratulate the contestants, find out what they loved best and feared most about the show — plus, of course, share some laughs and cake with the new top dogs of the season.
Getting voted off on “American Idol” is never a fun experience, but the last of the three semifinal rounds is always particularly cruel. Each of the four contestants voted off the show on Thursday was one week away from being one of the 12 finalists. They came within a few moments of a huge chance to develop a fan base, and then had it snatched away while hearing Simon Cowell talk about how they really weren’t all that good anyway
Thank god it’s the end of three-times-a-week Idol. Tonight, we lost four more contestants to the ether and said hello to our Top 12. It’s been a long road coming, and while I can’t say I agree 100% with the Top 12, I will agree that most of the contestants in it deserve to be there.
Honestly, I think the Idol team accomplished their goal of creating the most talented Top 12 in Idol history.
Thank heavens for American Idol and the interruption it offers from wall-to-wall coverage of Brett Favre’s retirement. In my book, he was maybe the ninth or 10th best quarterback in NFL history and only the seventh or eighth best There’s Something About Mary star. Does that deserve three days of non-stop ESPN coverage? Really? I mean, maybe if he’d been making his living as a stripper at gay clubs in Phoenix… So anyway, who will be eliminated on Thursday (March 6) night in the final Idol cuts before the Top 12?
Carly Smithson Continues to Win Hearts and Minds of Internet Savvy Idol Fans Everywhere
My increasing–yet still grudging!–affection for Carly Smithson increased a little just now, when I found out that while other contestants said in their latest Idol questionnaires that their favorite moments of the show were their admission to the top 24 (Asia’h, who should enjoy it while she can) and Idol Gives Back (Luke, who… ugh), she selected as her favorite the night that Sanjaya Malakar got voted off last season. Say what you will about her past; Carly certainly knows how to rile up the bloggers and message-board posters who decried her eligibility because of the major-label flop she put out a few years back. And it’s kind of awesome. An example: There are 94 comments about Carly’s flippant answer on Idolwatcher haven/Fanjaya gathering-place rickey.org already, spurred on by the very-displeased site proprietor Rickey:
Hey, “Idol” dialers — if you’re voting for Amanda Overmyer, can you drop me a line? I’m really curious about her fan base. Overmyer is emerging as the biggest exception in “Idol” history, a contestant who continues to succeed despite her refusal (and in some ways, inability) to fit within the show’s parameters. She’s had her rough moments — let’s not mention Kansas — but tonight she applied her sandpaper voice to a Joan Jett rave-up and won everyone over, even Simon. Even then, his lavish praise brought only a half-smile to her deliciously deadpan face. It would be way too “Idol” for Amanda to act like she cares what the judges think
While former bartender Carly Smithson hits the stage on “American Idol” in Hollywood, Access spends an evening with her admiring friends, fans, and co-workers at the Irish pub “The Field” in San Diego where she formerly worked.
Right now, the one that is most impressing me is Jason Castro, followed closely by David Cook. I also like Michael Johns a lot and think David Achuleta is very talented.
Just curious though, since Star Search is supposed to find "Stars" and David A. won that, why does he now need AI to become a "Star"? I think he is really, really good but hasn't he already won a contest to become a star?
So.. what I am trying to say is .. I hope the final 2 come down to Jason Castro and David Cook. I think some of the girls are really good too, but I don't really pay much attention to them and don't really care who they cut from the girls. Honestly, I'd like to see them all go before the guys, lol.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- "Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass.. It's about learning to dance in the rain."
WooHoo I LOVE me some Beatles David Cook will do excellent this week.. And Paula if the final two where Jason Castro and David Cook, I would be in heaven... Jason Castro has the prettiest eyes I have ever seen.. And well you all know how much I love David Cook
Anyway for the Beatles.. The only people that I care about I will list what I think their best options would be...
David Cook - Would do good with anything that John Lennon sang... Or George Harrison... A couple of Paul McCartney's songs would work for him.. (Like Get Back or Let It Be), but I really think he should go with John Lennon...
Michael Johns - He should go with a Paul McCartney song.. His range is similar to Paul's... A few of George's would work for him as well, and a couple of John's, but he would do best going with a McCartney song...
Jason Castro - He should go with a George Harrison song... He emits the right emotions to do George's songs.. Something would be a good one for him, or For You Blue.. There are some Paul songs that he would do good with as well.. But he would do best with a Harrison song...
To say the scene last night at the American Idol Top 12 party was hectic would be a little like saying David Archuleta is cute. The dozen finalists hopped along the massive press line — practically every major market Fox affiliate was there — that stretched along the candy-color cubist façade of the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood, Calif. All 12 contestants gamely answered the tidal wave of questions from journalists who knew this would most likely be their last chance to talk with these kids until they either get the boot or belt out an unspeakably cheesy pop song at the Kodak Theatre finale.
‘American Idol’: The Top 12 have it all. But what they really want is a snack
“You’re one of those little, sarcastic L.A. Times girls too, aren’t you,” inquired Constantine Maroulis, after I complimented his recent theatrical achievements. We were at the “American Idol” Top 12 party, and Constantine had convinced himself, for reasons unbeknownst to me, that I had it in for him. “Those that can’t, ya know, write,” Constantine informed me. I told him that was a peculiar thing to tell a reporter. “It is what it is” he replied. Then, as we parted ways, he added, “You’re very pretty. You’re very nice.”
After Constantine left, this “little,” “sarcastic,” “pretty,” “nice,” “L.A. Times girl” waited for the Top 12 to arrive. “American Idol” makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy strolled down the red carpet first. According to Mezhgan, most of the contestants love having their makeup done. Rock and roll nurse Amanda Overmyer, however, was more resistant. “I want to start toning her down and giving her different looks,” fantasized Mezhgan, who even copped to “taking away all [Amanda’s] black liners.”
Ah, the life of an American Idol contestant. It seems like just weeks ago that they came together for the Top 24 Party, while Thursday (March 6) night saw another gala as the American Idol field was cut to its Top 12.
While the Top 24 party at The Day After in Hollywood was thrown by the show’s production company and its sponsors, Thursday’s festivities at the Pacific Design Center were a vintage FOX affair. That meant Wolfgang Puck catering — with the BBQ chicken pizza, the tomato confit cones and the tuna tartare cones as stand-outs — and the usual assortment of stars from whichever shows the network is trying to push. That means Mark “Not Marky Mark” Wahlberg was rubbing shoulders with New Amsterdam leading man Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, late night stand-by Spike Feresten (yes, his show is still on) was drinking near Back to You available cast member Josh Gad and the assortment of previous American Idol non-winners in attendance included Justin Guarini, Kim Caldwell, Constantine Maroulis and Gina Glocksen, who looked fantastic.
As the sun set Thursday on Los Angeles, it left behind a streaky pink sky… and only 12 wannabe Idols remaining. While the contestants heard the vote counts and left the stage, TV Guide’s Top 12 party was getting under way at a rooftop venue. Inside the event, cameras queued up, lights were bright, and publicists, crew members and press buzzed about, eyeing congratulatory cupcakes adorned with each singer’s photo.
Feels Like Yesterday — Meeting ‘Idol’s’ Season Seven Top 12
Last night was the “American Idol” Top 12 party here in Los Angeles. Standing on the red carpet waiting for the contestants to arrive, I was struck with the realization that it felt like not one day had past since I had been standing on that same carpet last year waiting to meet Jordin Sparks, Blake Lewis, Haley Scarnato and the others
American Idol’ top 12 finals contestants party it up
We now have our top twelve (Amanda Overmyer, Brooke White, Carly Smithson, Chikezie, David Archuleta, David Cook, David Hernandez, Jason Castro, Kristy Lee Cook, Michael Johns, Ramiele Malubay and Syesha Mercado) and a very worthy crew this is.
But with the endgame developing, I share these “Idol” thoughts with you this morning, reserving the right to change them at a moment’s notice the minute someone comes up with reasonable counterarguments.
Team Snark headed over to the Pacific Design Center last night to party with the “American Idol” top 12. And by “party with” I mean we watched them get treated like rock stars on the red carpet for an hour and a half while we remained behind the velvet ropes like Les Deux rejects.
The recap will be cut into two timelines: shindig time and “Idol” time. Like “Hammer Time,” but different
MURRAY, Utah - It was no secret that David Archuleta could sing — students and teachers had heard him belt out holiday carols during Spanish class and an opera aria at a school arts festival.
None of that was reason enough to believe the junior at Murray High School would transform from a shy and impish 17-year-old to a fast-rising star on “American Idol.”
“He giggles every time you confront him,” Archuleta’s 11th grade English teacher Chantel Thackarey said. “I can’t believe how well he’s doing because he’s just so painfully shy.”
Fil-Am Malubay Makes It To ‘American Idol’s’ Top 12
Guam - Filipino-American Ramiel Malubay made it as one of the Top 12 of this year’s “American Idol,” no mean feat for this woman with a small physique but with a great voice.
Malubay started strong in her first performance during the elimination round when she impressed judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell with her rendition of “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” by Dusty Springfield. Her next two performances were not as strong with the judges, however. Still, Malubay got her share of the over 36 million votes cast to select the Top 12.
In any event, whether foolhardy bravado, propagandist’s bluster or laughing in the face of peril, the mood at the Pacific Design Center on Thursday night, where a crowd of 200 or so gathered to coronate their newly named Top 12, was indeed brazenly, incautiously jubilant. Although 11 of these 12 are being crowned tonight just so that one by one they can have their final conference with Angel of Death Seacrest in the next three months, the sense in the room, in conversations with executives and barely contained grins was that this year, “Idol” really had gotten it right. After a shaky Season 6, many were able to say with straight faces that this may in fact prove to be the best of all “Idol” seasons.
Well, those first intensive rounds of deadwood-clearing are done, and I’m sorry to see a few of those contestants go (Asia’h Epperson, please come back). But now we’re into the meat of the American Idol season, which means it’s time to start forming emotional connections and then immediately forgetting those connections a couple of weeks after the season finale. This year we’ve got a truly weird roster, stacked with ringers and one-trick ponies and people who might not have made it past the audition rounds during previous seasons. And here they are, ranked from favorite to least. Keep in mind that this is my list and that I’m being entirely subjective; I have demonstrated exactly zero ability to predict what America might like.
Well “Hello” David Cook and Welcome To American Idol Season 7 Top 12
I have to admit that David Cook was not on my artistic radar when American Idol Top 24 premiered three weeks ago. It was initially difficult to sort through these 24 singers and the only singer that seemed to be creating any “buzz” was 17-year-old vocal prodigy, David Archuleta.
However, this week, David Cook cemented his place in the Top 12 by performing an outstanding rock-inspired version of Lionel Richie’s, “Hello”. After his memorable performance, the accolades came pouring in, first from judge Simon Cowell who stated that “Lionel Richie would be very pleased with his performance”.
Filipino-American Ramiel Malubay made it as one of the Top 12 of this year’s “American Idol,” no mean feat for this woman with a small physique but with a great voice.
Malubay started strong in her first performance during the elimination round when she impressed judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Simon Cowell with her rendition of “You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me” by Dusty Springfield. Her next two performances were not as strong with the judges, however. Still, Malubay got her share of the over 36 million votes cast to select the Top 12.
Before the Aussie hottie was on “American Idol,” Michael Johns used to get sweaty with a group of burly men — his Australian rules football team!
In 2001-2002, Johns played centre half-forward for the Atlanta Kookaburras. The position is a physically demanding one, where he kicked 24 goals, including 11 in one game, which TMZ is told is the equivalent of 6 or 7 touchdowns.
The Kookas have been holding “AI” viewing parties each week at a local Atlanta bar to raise support and have also encouraged voting on their website. Also, the local FOX channel, WAGA, will have an interview with Johns about playing footy on Tuesday.
David Hernandez isn’t just earning his keep at strip clubs and on cruise ships. TMZ has learned that he’s also been on the Bar Mitzvah-Wedding-Convention-Pretty-Much-Wherever-There’s-a-Buck tour as well.
The “AI” hunk used to sing with a local Phoenix cover group called Tribe 7. Their mantra: “To consistently deliver a high standard of musical entertainment, with a professional work ethic.” Does that mean he keeps his clothes on?
Michael Johns used to go by the name Michael Lee … and Lee was one young, hottie of a tennis player.
In 1998, Michael was a student on a tennis scholarship at the Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Georgia. According to a program from the school’s tennis department, his major was drama!
TMZ got in the Top 12’s faces and didn’t hold back — asking David Hernandez about his stripper past, Brooke White on porn and David Archuleta on his unwavering perfection.
Looks like Ruben's actually the guest this week (Yayy!)
David Archuleta: Who the people want
THE top 12 ” American Idol” contestants arrived as a group at the post-show party in West Hollywood on Thursday night, but the scrum of paparazzi left little doubt who was the object of their obsession.
“David!” the photographers shouted. “David, over here!”
Their desired subject was, of course, David Archuleta, anointed by no less an authority than Simon Cowell last month as the front-runner in the singing contest, now in its seventh season and still far and away America’s No. 1 TV series. Archuleta was doing his best to oblige as the strobes kept popping. His chipmunk cheeks were illuminated with a perfect smile. He meandered alone toward one beckoning photographer until a handler ushered him away to rejoin the other “Idol” finalists
Since Hollywood Week, I have been setting forth the notion to acquaintances that this may actually turn out to be the Archetypal “Idol” Season. This group, I have offered, contains a higher median level of singing than any before and a greater assortment of unique and compelling personalities likely to gather followings than previous seasons. What’s more, at the center of the drama is the epic showdown brewing between the Chosen One, David Archuleta, a child singer seemingly genetically engineered to fulfill the “Idol” prophecies of greatness, and the Duende From Down Under, Michael Johns, probably the male contestant with the most raw charisma ever to step foot on the “Idol” stage. And waiting alongside the battle to claim the female caucus’ rightful place at the table rages Carly Smithson, a dark and supernaturally gifted singer who still remains a bit of a wild card but has the potential to overturn all conventional wisdom about the race.
AUSSIE singer Michael Johns is one step closer to American Idol super-stardom after securing a place in the final 12
Johns has impressed judges and audiences alike week after week with his soaring voice and confident stage presence, earning him comparisons to INXS frontman Michael Hutchence. On the 1980s themed episode this week, Johns sang the Simple Minds track Don’t You (Forget About Me).
Let’s hear it for the boys in this year’s ‘Idol’ competition
David Archuleta, 17, the youngest of American Idol’s top 12 singers, is the early favorite of online betting sites and Idol watchers, leading a strong male contingent many say is capable of reversing last year’s dominance by women.
The Season 7 field, which kicks off the finals round tonight (Fox, 8 ET/PT) with the John Lennon-Paul McCartney songbook, is considered better than its predecessor, with more than a half-dozen singers being mentioned as possible successors to Jordin Sparks, who was 17 when she became the youngest Idol last year.
“This is not a one-horse race,” says executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, who calls this the best top 12 ever. “When Yoko Ono calls up and says things like, ‘Please tell David Archuleta I loved him singing Imagine,’ and Lionel Richie (said he) loved David Cook doing Hello, you know you’ve got a good bunch.”
Critics don’t go as far as Lythgoe, but they praise the field’s depth, which could lead to the kind of strong competition necessary to hold onto viewers.
American Idol’ Judges Paula Abdul, Randy Jackson Say David Archuleta Doesn’t Have Contest Wrapped Up Yet
That much was obvious when we caught up with the dynamic duo backstage at “TRL,” because they immediately took issue with something we wrote about “Idol” late last month — namely that baby-face crooner David Archuleta had all but wrapped the competition up, based on the strength of his cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine.” (Check out MTV News’ trip to Archuleta’s hometown.)
Not so fast, they cautioned. Things aren’t over yet — not by a long shot (which was a bummer to hear, because we totally had Archuleta in our newsroom “Idol” pool). And if you think you had the competition figured out by now, well, you haven’t seen anything yet.
“He’s in the leader’s role right now, for sure, but also there are some other talented boys too. Jason Castro did [Leonard Cohen’s] ‘Hallelujah,’ last week. There’s David Cook too,” Jackson said. “And on the girls’ side, there’s Carly [Smithson], there’s Brooke [White]. They’re coming on. It’s too early to tell. You got to keep an open mind, America.”
“American Idol” is down to 12 finalists, and among them are all the archetypes of seasons past. There is the perky blond cowgirl, her hair now straightened and her outfits looking to be straight from the mall; the soulful crooner who channels Luther Vandross supremely; the rocker gal who has to fight against lapsing into a Janis Joplin imitation; and the budding teenybopper now stylized to attract an older audience.
In this, the seventh season of the biggest show on television, it says a lot that one of the most intriguing mysteries this year revolves around what the look will be for the show’s new stage set, to be unveiled Tuesday night on Fox.
Jason Castro and Brooke White are going strong on Michael Slezak’s weekly ranking, while Kristy Lee Cook struggles — see where the others fit in, and then vote for your favorite
“American Idol” has its 12 finalists, and each has a theoretical chance of winning. In practice, however, there’s a clear division between the contestants who have a chance of winning and those who are mostly around because FOX and the “Idol” advertisers want the show to end in May instead of April, meaning the producers need more people to be voted off in the meantime. Here’s a look at where each of the finalists stands.
Now it’s getting a bit more interesting, and a lot more serious — American Idol’s final 12. As the party got started Thursday night, TVGuide.com began polling you on your current pick to win this whole enchilada. Here’s how it netted out:
American Idol contestant Michael Johns dreamed of fame
As Johns prepares to perform to US Idol’s audience of millions tomorrow, Marina Del Basso of local production company Vogue Entertainment remembers his first audition as a Perth teenager. “When he came to that very first audition he told me he would be famous,” she said.
“I actually said to him ‘you could be with (your) talent’.” Now aged 29, Johns was one of thirty hopefuls accepted by American Idol judges Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson from a crowd of 12,000 in San Diego.
Not so good, but she wasn't the worst of the night... I didn't think she did as well as the judges thought...
Chikezie - She's a Woman
I didn't like it... I think he should have stuck with one genre and not tried to do three.. I was actually diggin' the bluegrass feel on it that he started with... But then he moved into hard rock, and well I love hard rock, and had he started off with it in hard rock, I prolly would have loved the whole thing.. But the switch between the two was a bit disconnected.. Then when I thought he was gonna stay with the hard rock, he starts stuttering or something, like he wants to switch it up into hip hop or maybe he was trying to beatbox, I'm not sure, but it sucked there... However, he also wasn't the worst of the night...
Ramiele Malubay - In My Life
I posted before the show started that she wouldn't do as well as Ozzy on this song, and I was right.. She was rather boring, just like the judges said.. But she is very pretty and so I figure she is safe for the simple fact that she is prolly one of the cutest girls this season, so she will gets votes just for that..
Jason Castro - If I Fell
Ok this song, I thought he would do amazing on, after hearing him sing Hallelujah last week... However, it didn't happen... He did well, but he could have done better, and he started off really shaky.. But he will be back next week without question..
Carly Smithson - Come Together
She was the first person tonight that when she started to sing I said "Wow, this arrangement fits her." I think she did very well, and she has shouldn't worry at all about the bottom three..
David Cook - Eleanor Rigby
OMG I LOVED IT!!!!! Not because I have picked David Cook as my favorite and not because Eleanor Rigby is one of my favorite Beatles songs... (And you all know how picky I am about the Beatles).. But he came out and totally rocked that song.. And OMG I was in awe.. He was IMO the best of the night...
Brooke White - Let It Be
I didn't think it was as good as the judges.. But I did watch Across The Universe today, so maybe that's why... Anyway, she wasn't the worst of the night either so she should do well..
David Hernandez - I Saw Her Standing There
I knew it wouldn't be as good as Blake was last year on it... And I wasn't that impressed... I don't think he will do well tonight...
Amanda Overmyer - You Can't Do That
I hated it.. She annoyed me and honestly I didn't like the slurs..
Michael Johns - Across the Universe
It was good, it wasn't the best... But he didn't ruin it.. This is one of my top twenty Beatles songs.. He didn't do as well as Jim Sturgess on it though
Kristy Lee Cook - Eight Days a Week
Really bad, hated it.. bye bye...
David Archuleta - We Can Work It Out
I didn't think it was nearly as good as what the judges said.. but that's my opinion.. He sang nicely, I hated the arrangement..
Ok.. This is my order of the night.. From best to worst:
David Cook Michael Johns Carly Smithson Jason Castro Brooke White David Archuleta Ramiele Malubay Chikezie Amanda Overmyer Syesha Mercado David Hernandez Kristy Lee Cook
Bleh...Kristy Lee. It wasn't good at all. I felt like the music in the background was WAY to fast and she seemed like she had a hard time catching up with it.
And I feel bad for David...but honestly...did he not practice at all? I couldn't stand to watch it I just felt embarassed for him :[ but I know he's probably safe.
I honestly think Kristy is going home, but who knows.
And...for some reason I CAN NOT remember David Hernandez's name. He doesn't look like a David, it doesn't suit him lol
Some good, some bad...Kristy Lee NEEDS to FINALLY go home!
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ Favorite quote from 2007: Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
David Cook will do excellent this week.. And Paula if the final two where Jason Castro and David Cook, I would be in heaven... Jason Castro has the prettiest eyes I have ever seen.. 
And well you all know how much I love David Cook 
