And here are the Top 12 - in no particular order:
(Info and photos courtesy of Americanidol.com and About.com)
Aaron Kelly, 16 - Sonestown, PAAuditioned in Orlando
Aaron Kelly has revealed on the show that he had a rough childhood, which eventually led to him being adopted by his aunt and uncle. He says what separates him from the rest of the contestants is his "ability to reach out to the audiences and put a smile on their faces." His first big performance was singing karaoke at a family gathering.
Favorite quote: "Don't let the fear of falling hold you down"
Musical influences: Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban
Andrew G
arcia, 24 - Moreno Valley, CA
Auditioned in Los Angeles
When he auditioned, Andrew spoke about his tough upbringing by parents who used to be involved with gangs. Andrew is now a proud dad who says fatherhood “gives you more of a reason to do what you love and to appreciate everything you have.” Andrew, who started singing at age 18, also loves to break dance in his spare time.
Favorite quote: "Live for today"
Musical influences: My friends are my influences because they are singers/musicians as well
Casey James, 27 - Fort Worth, TX
Auditioned in Denver
Casey James says he is an animal lover. "I love pretty much any kind of creature, especially dogs," he says. But his biggest passion is music. "Whether this works out or not, I’m still going to continue to play music," Casey says.
Favorite quote: "Be happy in your situation. It could always be worse."
Musical influences: Way too many to list. I am influenced by everything I hear.
Crystal Bowersox, 24 - Elliston, OH
Auditioned in Chicago
Crystal Bowersox is a free spirit who has a giant sunflower tattooed on her back. Her interests include knitting hats (dread caps especially), sculpting, drawing and "making people feel at home." She is the mother of a one-year-old.
Favorite quote: "Success ain't about the money. It's about doing what you love."
Musical influences: Glen Hansard, Janis Joplin, Jewel, Tracy Chapman, Melissa Etheridge, Bobby May, Ron Rassberry, Brian Walker, Ray LaMontagne
Didi Benami, 23 - Knoxville, TN
Auditioned in Los Angeles
Didi told a moving story about her best friend Rebecca passing away. The loss of her best friend helped to inspire Didi to try out for the competition. Didi enjoys playing the guitar and writing songs.
Favorite quote: "Nothing great was never achieved without enthusiasm"
Musical influences: Adele, Norah Jones, Angel Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Joni Mitchell, Alana Davis, Patty Griffin, Sarah McLachlan, Amy Winehouse, Paul McCartney, Jason Reeves, John Lennon
Katie Stevens, 17 - Middlebury, CT
Auditioned in Boston
Katie Stevens grew up in a large Portuguese family. She is fluent in Portuguese. Katie's grandmother, who suffers from Alzheimers, is a great inspiration in the young singer's life. "I want her to see me succeed in my dream before she forgets who I am,” Katie said. Katie plays guitar, piano, flute and cello.
Favorite quote: "It's an opportunity. Take it and run"
Musical influences: Whitney Houston, Taylor Swift and my brother
Lacey Brown, 24 - Amarillo, TX
Auditioned in Orlando
Favorite quote: "Do what you love to do and you'll never work another day in your life"
Musical influences: Pete Yorn and Patsy Cline
Lee Dewyze, 23 - Mount Prospect, IL
Audtioned in Chicago
Lee DeWyze admits that he was kicked out of high school when he was a teenager. "That’s totally not who I am now,” he said. Lee, who is also good at art, says music is his true passion. "I know that this is exactly what I’m supposed to do," he said. "This isn’t like a question. There’s no backup plan...This is what I have to do. This is what I’m going to do.”
Favorite quote: "Try to live in the moment"
Musical influences: Cat Stevens, Simon & Garfunkel, Eric Clapton, Ben Harper
Michael Lynche, 26 - St. Petersburg, FL
Auditioned in Orlando
Favorite quote: "Facts don't count when you have a dream"
Musical influences: Maxwell, Lauryn Hill, Al Green, Jimi Hendrix
Siobhan Magnus, 19 - Cape Cod, MA
Auditioned in Boston
Siobhan Magnus says her tolerance for pressure might set her apart from other contestants. "I’m a very responsible person," she said. "I’ve witnessed a lot where I have been forced to grow up and be able to handle things that are very stressful...I think I have a pretty good tolerance for pressure and meeting expectations." Siobhan, who works at a glassblowing shop, loves scary movies and calls herself a "babysitter extraordinaire."
Favorite quote: "Sing as if no one were listening"
Musical influences: Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday, Lauryn Hill, Courtney Love, Johnny Lang, my dad, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie... the list goes on.
Tim Urban, 19 - Dunanville, TX
Auditioned in Dallas
Tim Urban was sent through to Hollywood, where he left an impression on the judges. When Top 24 contestant Chris Golightly was found to be ineligible for the competition, the judges called on Tim to replace him.
Favorite quote: "Don't let the fear of falling hold you down"
Musical influences: Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban
Andrew G
arcia, 24 - Moreno Valley, CAAuditioned in Los Angeles
When he auditioned, Andrew spoke about his tough upbringing by parents who used to be involved with gangs. Andrew is now a proud dad who says fatherhood “gives you more of a reason to do what you love and to appreciate everything you have.” Andrew, who started singing at age 18, also loves to break dance in his spare time.
Favorite quote: "Live for today"
Musical influences: My friends are my influences because they are singers/musicians as well
Casey James, 27 - Fort Worth, TXAuditioned in Denver
Casey James says he is an animal lover. "I love pretty much any kind of creature, especially dogs," he says. But his biggest passion is music. "Whether this works out or not, I’m still going to continue to play music," Casey says.
Favorite quote: "Be happy in your situation. It could always be worse."
Musical influences: Way too many to list. I am influenced by everything I hear.
Crystal Bowersox, 24 - Elliston, OHAuditioned in Chicago
Crystal Bowersox is a free spirit who has a giant sunflower tattooed on her back. Her interests include knitting hats (dread caps especially), sculpting, drawing and "making people feel at home." She is the mother of a one-year-old.
Favorite quote: "Success ain't about the money. It's about doing what you love."
Musical influences: Glen Hansard, Janis Joplin, Jewel, Tracy Chapman, Melissa Etheridge, Bobby May, Ron Rassberry, Brian Walker, Ray LaMontagne
Didi Benami, 23 - Knoxville, TNAuditioned in Los Angeles
Didi told a moving story about her best friend Rebecca passing away. The loss of her best friend helped to inspire Didi to try out for the competition. Didi enjoys playing the guitar and writing songs.
Favorite quote: "Nothing great was never achieved without enthusiasm"
Musical influences: Adele, Norah Jones, Angel Taylor, Sheryl Crow, Joni Mitchell, Alana Davis, Patty Griffin, Sarah McLachlan, Amy Winehouse, Paul McCartney, Jason Reeves, John Lennon
Auditioned in Boston
Katie Stevens grew up in a large Portuguese family. She is fluent in Portuguese. Katie's grandmother, who suffers from Alzheimers, is a great inspiration in the young singer's life. "I want her to see me succeed in my dream before she forgets who I am,” Katie said. Katie plays guitar, piano, flute and cello.
Favorite quote: "It's an opportunity. Take it and run"
Musical influences: Whitney Houston, Taylor Swift and my brother
Lacey Brown, 24 - Amarillo, TXAuditioned in Orlando
Lacey Brown auditioned in Idol's eighth season but was cut from the Top 50."You've got to take nos and turn them into yeses," she said before she auditioned for the second time.
"Individuality is something to be grasped and held on to and celebrated. I think I’m pretty comfortable in my skin." Lacey says her non-singing talents include her weirdly fast pinky toe movements.Favorite quote: "Do what you love to do and you'll never work another day in your life"
Musical influences: Pete Yorn and Patsy Cline
Lee Dewyze, 23 - Mount Prospect, ILAudtioned in Chicago
Lee DeWyze admits that he was kicked out of high school when he was a teenager. "That’s totally not who I am now,” he said. Lee, who is also good at art, says music is his true passion. "I know that this is exactly what I’m supposed to do," he said. "This isn’t like a question. There’s no backup plan...This is what I have to do. This is what I’m going to do.”
Favorite quote: "Try to live in the moment"
Musical influences: Cat Stevens, Simon & Garfunkel, Eric Clapton, Ben Harper
Michael Lynche, 26 - St. Petersburg, FLAuditioned in Orlando
Michael, whose nickname is Big Mike, endured Hollywood week while his wife was at home giving birth to their first child, a baby girl. Before the Hollywood round aired on Fox, there were rumors that Michael was cut from the show after his father violated the show's confidentiality agreements by talking to a newspaper about his son's status. Michael, who grew up in St. Petersburg, FL, played football for the University of Central Florida.
Favorite quote: "Facts don't count when you have a dream"
Musical influences: Maxwell, Lauryn Hill, Al Green, Jimi Hendrix
Siobhan Magnus, 19 - Cape Cod, MAAuditioned in Boston
Siobhan Magnus says her tolerance for pressure might set her apart from other contestants. "I’m a very responsible person," she said. "I’ve witnessed a lot where I have been forced to grow up and be able to handle things that are very stressful...I think I have a pretty good tolerance for pressure and meeting expectations." Siobhan, who works at a glassblowing shop, loves scary movies and calls herself a "babysitter extraordinaire."
Favorite quote: "Sing as if no one were listening"
Musical influences: Janis Joplin, Billie Holiday, Lauryn Hill, Courtney Love, Johnny Lang, my dad, Stevie Wonder, David Bowie... the list goes on.
Tim Urban, 19 - Dunanville, TXAuditioned in Dallas
Tim Urban was sent through to Hollywood, where he left an impression on the judges. When Top 24 contestant Chris Golightly was found to be ineligible for the competition, the judges called on Tim to replace him.
Tim, who has nine siblings, was homeschooled by his mother. He has been playing the guitar since he was 13 years old.
Favorite quote: "Expect the worst but work for the best"
Musical influences: John Denver, James Taylor, One Republic, Jack Johnson, John Mayer
Paige Miles, 24 - Naples, FL
Auditioned in Dallas
Paige Miles auditioned after the death of her aunt. "The last thing she said to me before she passed was to audition for American Idol," Paige says.
Paige Miles describes herself as a reserved homebody - even though she has tons of energy. "That has a lot to do with being a cheerleader," she says. Paige performed for the first time when she was only seven years old. "I knew at that moment that I loved having that microphone in my hand and I haven’t put it down since," she says.
Favorite quote: "Sing as if no one were listening"
Musical influences: Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Lauryn Hill, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion and Etta James
And the theme for their first week? The Rolling Stones!
Should make next week very interesting!
Favorite quote: "Expect the worst but work for the best"
Musical influences: John Denver, James Taylor, One Republic, Jack Johnson, John Mayer
Paige Miles, 24 - Naples, FLAuditioned in Dallas
Paige Miles auditioned after the death of her aunt. "The last thing she said to me before she passed was to audition for American Idol," Paige says.
Paige Miles describes herself as a reserved homebody - even though she has tons of energy. "That has a lot to do with being a cheerleader," she says. Paige performed for the first time when she was only seven years old. "I knew at that moment that I loved having that microphone in my hand and I haven’t put it down since," she says.
Favorite quote: "Sing as if no one were listening"
Musical influences: Michael Jackson, Patti LaBelle, Lauryn Hill, Christina Aguilera, Celine Dion and Etta James
And the theme for their first week? The Rolling Stones!
Should make next week very interesting!
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