Top 24 Party!

American Idol’s Top 24 celebrate by partying the night away before the real fun begins next week on Fox!

Idol Power Rankings Week 2

After Hollywood week, I learned quite a bit more about the contenders and the Top 24. Most of them have now been featured (and it’s going to be a tough road for those who haven’t been)… So without further ado, here’s my top 2nd installment of Top 24 Power Rankings

1. Andrew Garcia – I don’t think there’s any doubt he’s the favorite. I think his only concern might be setting the bar too high too early. I’ve seen lots of his stuff and think he’s got plenty of amazing performances left in him, but my ONLY worry is he’ll get a little stale after weeks and weeks… Plus, with Idol, you have to do a lot of different stuff… But he know’s who he is and has to be the leader. Check out his last Hollywood performance
2. Didi Benami – I believe she had an unbelievable Hollywood week.  I liked her in the audition.  I think she’s the favorite for the girls now.  She’s got a quality about her that will not only make her popular, but will inspire people to vote for her.
3. Lacey Brown – Lacey is the highest on here for people we haven’t really seen.  But in the chances we have, she’s knocked it out of the park.  I think her sound and look will keep her around till the top 10 and I think she can overcome the lack of screentime, ala Kris Allen.
4. Lee DeWyze -I’m definitely digging Lee.  He’s got the sound that I love. He’s got a better voice than most of the guys.  I think he’s going to flourish as the season moves along.
5. Ashley Rodriguez -She’s got the look.  She’s a really good singer.  She’s frankly, pretty hot. She can sing popular songs, stay poppy and fresh, and has the look and voice to handle it all.  My only concern is… There’s so many “unique” sounding girls… Will she be able to stand out?
6. Crystal Bowersox -I have to admit, she’s probably my favorite girl.  She’s got a great, unique sound and she “gets” it, as seen by her Hollywood performances.  She’s a little off the beaten path, but that might be a good thing.  I am not sure she’ll be America’s sweetheart, but she should do very, very well.  Could be very successful outside of Idol.
7. Casey James -Casey had a rough start with me, but made it up big time in Hollywood.  If he’s in his comfort level, he’s as good as there is.  And lets be honest, the girls are going to drool over him.  So he’ll be around for a long time.  Casey has been blessed with lots of
8. John Park -Early signs pointed to John as a contender.  But we haven’t really seen much of him since. But I think he’ll have enough of a following to stay around.
9. Todrick Hall -I think he brings a new, fresh approach. He’s talented and has great presence.  I think people will really like him.
10. Janell Wheeler – Was my leading girl going into Hollywood, but slipped quite a bit.  I think she can recover, but I think she’ll have to have a very strong showing or she’ll be relegated back to “Tim Tebow’s Girl Friend?” status
11. Katie Stevens -The girl can sing.  And she’s young and fresh.  I think song choice is going to be VITALLY important.  I just don’t think she has the presence that the top notch girls have.  But I do think she has a chance to grow… The young ones always seem to progress the most as the season goes along.
12. Jermaine Sellers -Well, color me disappointed.  Jermaine was one of my favorites, but after 2 episodes of drama, I’m wondering if we’re going to get to see his full potential.  But Hollywood week is easy to make villians… He’s got a chance to change the perception quickly… And he has the talent to win.
13. Tyler Grady -Another guy with a good fan base even without signature performance.  I think he’s talented enough to make the top 12, but will he get the chance?
14. Lilly Scott – I like Lilly.  I don’t LOVE her.
15. Michael Lynche – I like Big Mike’s vibe.  I’m hopeful that the rumors of him getting axed because his father spilled the beans are false.
16. Katelyn Epperly -I liked Katelyn a lot in her audition.  But when I’ve read some of the other bloggers and people were asking “WHO” when she made it to Hollywood… that’s not a great sign.
17. Siobhan Magnus -Interesting character.  Not your mainstream talent.  In a year with a very strong field and no “jokes” Siobhan might become a VFTW fav
18. Alex Lambert – I think he’s fodder.  I don’t really think he has a chance to compete in this incredibly strong season.
19. Aaron Kelly – He’s the tiny-bopper in a year of talented musicians.  He might be another one that hangs around way to long… unless he keeps forgetting his lyrics.
20. Michelle Delamor -I still really have no idea.
21. Chris Golightly – He can’t actually be a top 12er can he?  I think he’s a nice, fun guy, but I confuse him with the kid on Biggest Loser… not good.
22. Paige Miles – All I know is she was part of the drama.
23. Haeley Vaughn -I know a lot of people like her.  I don’t. Not at all.  It could be because I don’t like good country, let alone weird country…
24. Joe Muñoz – Who?  He made one 15 second appearance.

Read WHY at IdolBattles.com

Top 24: The first 7 Finalists

So Idol switched things up on us and gave us the first 7 of the 24 finalists… The rest will be announced today, but in case you missed it…

1. Michael Lynche
2. Katelyn Epperly
3. Didi Benami
4. Casey James
5. Aaron Kelly
6. Lee DeWyze
7. Todrick Hall

Check out their fan sites for the performances!

Hollywood Group Round-up

First, I have to say I think the introduction of instruments last year was great, and I think this year is going to be the culmination of that greatness.  This year is chalked with not only great singers, but incredible musicians.  I think we’re not just going to see 2 artists like Kris and Adam who really stood above the rest.  This year, I think there are many more elite talents.

Speaking of musicians and elite talents, we have to start with Andrew Garcia.  Everything he’s done so far has been BRILLIANT.  Looking at his only Pre-Idol Stuff, he’s not a fluke and is going to be a contender, if not the favorite this year.  But even in his group there was talented musician Casey James, who’s audition didn’t impress, but his blues guitar playing and sound will move him up my PowerRankings this week for sure.  They were part of my favorite group, along with “baby” Katie Stevens, Three Men and a Baby… Check out the video!

I’m pretty pleased at the diversity of talent also.  Last year there were a lot of very similar styles.  This year it seems more diverse.  Todrick Hall and Jermaine Sellers both have a soulfull, R&B sound that no one could touch last year.  Michael Lynche also fits the mold and at least one should do very well this year.

With John Park and Lee DeWyze, you have two good singers who bring different elements to the table. Tyler Grady and Alex Lambert definitely have some coolness to their style also.

And as most people believe, this is to be a girls year.  Last years crop of girls was pretty slim.  This years offers a little bit of everything.  Janell Wheeler, at least for me, is the standout of the group thus far.  She has the look and the vocals to make America fall in love with her.  She’s not just a pretty face, rather has the chops to win this thing.

Lacey Brown has a unique style and sound that has her as one of my early favorites.  I was disspaointed I didn’t get to see more than her “victory face” after moving on, but I have a feeling we’re going to see a lot of her.

Didi Benami is another great artist who really has the talent to win this thing.  She’s impressed me more and more each time I’ve seen her!  She’s just very talented and has a different sound/vibe that really shines through.  Crystal Bowersox had me skeptical at first, but I do agree with Simon… She’s a bit infectious.  She’s not overly mainstream, but she has a unique sound and really is another true musician.  Lilly Scott also fits this mold and seems to be quite talented.

And then we come to the true great singers.  Katie Stevens might not be as charasmatic and have the presence of the front-runners, but I don’t think anyone is going to outsing her.  I have a feeling she might be the contestant that grows the most throughout the show.  She’s young, cute, and has the chops… If she stays around long enough, watch out… She might just shoot to the top.

Siobhan Magnus wasn’t featured much till last night (or at all?) but she showed she can sing and deserves to be in the top 24.  Ashley Rodriguez is another girl who can really sing and would have been a front-runner with last years crop of girls.  I think she might be overshadowed by this talented group, but again, she can really sing, and that’s always important.

I was a little dissapointed not to hear Katelyn Epperly who was one of my favorites in the audition round, but she’ll be around…  And I have to admit, I liked the new haircut!

I’m sure there’s some I’m missing (this is why I shouldn’t wait till the next day), but all in all, I think this is the most well rounded, interesting group Idol has had in awhile.  I think with the diversity, it’s going to keep the voting more spread out and be a very interesting, competitive season.  I know I can’t wait!

Don’t agree?  Did I miss someone?  Tell me what you think!  Just comment below and I’ll be back to answer/chat throughout the show!

American Idol Power Rankings

So here we are, starting Hollywood week.  We haven’t even seen everyone yet, but here’s my first take on this season’s power rankings:

1. Andrew Garcia – My early favorite. Awesome voice. Seems like he gets it.  Just different enough to get a huge fanbase
2. Janell Wheeler – Last year the girls weren’t overly strong.  There was no superstar.  I think she has the look and sound to be a star
3. Jermaine Sellers – Another of my early favorites.  I think he stood out, both style & sound.  He’s a top 5er
4. Lacey Brown – I love the sound.  Love the look.  Really, one of my personal favs.  Don’t know if she’s mainstream enough, but we’ll see.
5. Lee DeWyze – I see him in the Kris Allen mold.  Good singer, seems creative.
6. John Park – I wasn’t as high on his as everyone else, but we’ll see.
7. Aaron Kelly – I think he has the tinybopper thing going on.  Similar mold as other 16-17 year olds who stay a little too long.
8. Vered Didi Benami – Has the look.  Good voice.  I’m interested to see where she goes. Could move up.
9. Katie Stevens – One of the early stars and caught lots of early attention.
10. Tyler Grady – I’ve heard good things, but honestly don’t remember him.  That’s usually not the best sign, but maybe I wasn’t paying attention?
11. Katelyn Epperly- One of my person favorite girls, but I don’t know if it translates into huge fandom.
12. Lilly Scott – Has the tools…
13. Alex Lambert – Haven’t really seen him… Last name probably is why I have him this high?
14. Ashley Rodriguez – She can for sure sing. I think is a top 12 contender
15. Chris Golightly – Probably needs a makeover before moving higher.
16. Crystal Bowersox – I don’t know if she’s “right” for Idol.  But she’s interesting.  Thinks she has to do a LOT right
17. Siobhan Magnus – This is the point where it’s anyone’s guess… We haven’t really seen much of anyone below (or I didn’t like them)
18. Todrick Hall
19. Michael Lynche – Probably would have been higher had he not had negative press.
20. Michelle Delamor
21. Paige Miles
22. David Duke
23. Casey James – I wasn’t impressed really.
24. Haeley Vaughn – I was suprised she got a yellow ticket, let alone made it to the top 24… but again, this is only after 1 audition. I’d be surprised with a top 12 though

I need your thoughts, so please comment!  As we get into the Top 24, I’ll update this weekly.