Idol's Top 12

The votes are in. America has decided their Top 12 and, for the most part, I'm OK with it. There's only one I would change - and that would be with the girls. I would have had Lacey and Katelyn change places... but I'm only one person. At least the guys and gals I definitely wanted in are in.

And here are the Top 12 - in no particular order:
(Info and photos courtesy of Americanidol.com and About.com)

Aaron Kelly, 16 - Sonestown, PA
Auditioned 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 Garcia, 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

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, 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

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, 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.

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!

Recap: Idol's Top 10 Girls

I've been saying from the beginning that the girls are the "stronger sex" in this year's competition. But I was torn this week. I still think there were more stronger performances than not but I think last week was a little better.

Crystal was the first one out and she just let it all out! You wouldn't have known at all that she had been so sick and in the hospital.

Haeley is just downright annoying. She does need to stop smiling so much. She's got the biggest mouth it's unreal! She drives me crazy.

Lacey - I don't know what she's doing but both weeks now she's been unable to keep the beat. I was actually surprised she stayed around after last week.

I give the bad outfit prize to Michelle. What the heck was up with her "dress"... or whatever you call it? And those glove things? Huh? Maybe I'm just not up on the whole fashion thing, but to me that just looked a little ridiculous.

I was honestly a little disappointed in a lot of the girls tonight. I was expecting a lot more out of them. I think they're just picking the wrong songs.

My absolute fave for the night is Crystal. But my other faves were Katie, Lilly and Katelyn.

Tomorrow we'll see which guys and gals survived.

Recap: Idol's Top 10 Guys

The guys went first this week as a last minute change because one of the girls was sent to the hospital.

I think the guys got scared by last week's performances! For the most part, the performances were better. There were, of course, the off guys but I expected that because the guys just don't have it this year.

One of the best improvements of the night, in my opinion, was Alex. He's still not "there" but he did "grow" from last week. He was also one of my favorites of the night. I think because he had made such a huge difference.

The one guy with the "huh?" factor? That had to be Todrick! I don't know what the heck he's been doing the past couple of weeks, but if he keeps doing it, he ain't going to be staying around!
I'd be surprised if he sticks around to try again.

The one with the weirdest outfit for the night has to be Jermaine. And when he talked about "rockin' the onesie" I just shook my head. Did all of America really need to see that?

My faves were the night were my hometown boy Michael, Alex and Casey but, in my opinion, the best for the night was Lee - and it wasn't just because he sang a song I love LOL

Hopefully Crystal will be well enough to perform with the girls tomorrow night.

Recap: Idol's Top 12 Guys

I was hoping for a better start for the guys tonight but was sadly disappointed.
The first one out completely ruined a good song on top of singing a style of music I don't like. Now, I know that a lot of others probably do since that seems to be "the style" today, but if I'm going to vote I'm going to vote for something that I actually enjoy listening to. And I didn't enjoy listening to that.
Then Aaron comes out and sings a very apropos song of "Here Comes Goodbye"... did he see the future? He mumbled over the words and was off key on some of the notes... but the judges seemed to like him so I guess we'll see what the rest of America thinks. I'm only one person.

I wasn't really impressed with any of the guys until the 6th, Tyler - and even then it wasn't the greatest.
The best of the night didn't happen until the last 2 performers!

After watching the performances the past couple of nights, unless the guys kick it up a notch or 2, it's going to be a ladies' competition this year.

Recap: Idol's Top 12 Girls

It's that time of year. The time of year I like to talk about my Idol thoughts and opinions each week.
Now, I am no expert and I am definitely no singer. I just know what I like and what I don't like. I don't get technical. I just say it as I feel at the moment.
And with that all said, here goes.

Since this is the first voting week, I was kind of expecting everyone to be ready to show America their best. However, I was quite unimpressed with the first 3 singers of the night. But then the 4th, Lilly, performed and showed them what it was all about. From there it just started to get better. And it has nothing to do with the fact 3 singers in a row sang Beatles :) I think they just knew what to do with the songs they chose.
Then, just as I was getting my hopes up, Lacey was a complete train wreck! Then Michelle picked it up again. It was definitely an up and down night. It's all about song choice and some of the girls just didn't pick the right songs.

Overall, I think the girls are all strong this year - as long as they pick the right songs. It's going to get harder as the numbers get lower and lower.

My faves for the night were Michelle, Didi, Crystal and Katie

Tomorrow night - the guys' turn.