Top 16 American Idol Power Rankings

So we’ve moved quickly to the Top 16… Thank God.  I think there was a lot of fodder this year and I think there’s very tiered groups this year.  At this point I see 6 contenders, 2-3 that need a solid performance or two to make it in that category, 4-5 that a tier below and have a chance to hang around for awhile, and a couple that are sure-fire goners… Unless they pull out a miracle.  I still think this group has some talent, but I think this is one of the most wide open seasons in a long time.  There’s no huge run away favorite and potential the entire top 12 will have a reasonable chance to be a top 5… and at that point, who knows!

1. Lee DeWyze – For the first time in quite awhile, there’s no one running away from the field. But there is a group distancing themselves from the other.  I think that song selection is going to be the most important aspect of the year and Lee and Crystal have proved to be the only two that understand what songs to sing and how to make them their own.
2. Crystal Bowersox – Over the past two weeks, she has put some distance between her ability and the rest of the girls.  But she’s not as mainstream and is going to have to continually pick awesome songs.  I think Lee has a better chance to relate to the most people, which is why I have him slightly ahead.
3. Casey James – With that being said, I think the easy choice to win this year is Casey.  He’s commercial.  He’s good-looking.  The pretty people are dropping like flies, but Casey has the most potential.  Of the top 6, he’s the only one that is going to make anyone weak in the knees, which bodes well as he moves forward.
4. Andrew Garcia – He was the front-runner from the beginning, but hasn’t quite lived up to his early promise.  That being said, I think he could be one who has a couple knockout performances in the top 8 and jumps to the top of the heap.
5. Lilly Scott – I love Lilly.  I think she’s unique and talented.  Although, she’s a bit quirky and that could hurt her eventually. I think she might luck out in that the other top girls aren’t gorgeous, so she might be the prettiest once they move that way.  She has to keep doing her thing and hope America likes it as much as I do.
6. Siobhan Magnus – Simon is right… She is a funny little thing.  Big voice. Old soul.  She can sing.  But I just don’t think she can consistently be relevant.
7. Katie Stevens – Has the voice to hang with the top.  Song choice keeps her just outside looking in at the contenders.  Can she figure out how to be relevant?
8. Didi Benami – Didi has been struggling.  Mightly.  But I think she gained a lot of fans and will overcome her problems.  Song choice is what is keeping her down.  This is the area where I feel like there’s about 6 contestants who if they “get it” could challenge, but are all basically right in this range.
9. Katelyn Epperly – A darkhorse.  The longer she stays around, the better her chances are going to become.  I haven’t seen the huge fangroups, etc. after Hollywood, but if she has a couple great performances, she could quickly become a challenger.  She has the look and is the cutest girl left, in my humble opinion.
10. Michael Lynche – His last performance jumped him up.  I, nor the judges, are convinced that most of the guys understand what to be singing.  Big Mike at least showed that he can figure it out.
11. Aaron Kelly – Not really my style, but I think he’s got a fanbase.
12. Alex Lambert – I thought he was the next to go, but a very solid showing puts him in the running to make the top 12 and the tour!
13. Todrick Hall – Fighting for his life at this point.
14. Lacey Brown – Unfortunately, Lacey hasn’t figured it out yet.  I’m hoping she does!
15. Paige Miles – Bleh.
16. Tim Urban – Tim should send VFTW a Christmas card if he hangs on till the tour…

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

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.

User Power Rankings

Okay, so I’m swamped today (damn real jobs!)… So I might not have a chance to post my power rankings… So today, it’s YOUR turn! Post your rankings and tell us WHY!

American Idol Power Rankings: Week 2

American Idol Power Rankings: Week 2
Power Rankings are based on past performance and are my personal estimate of where they will finish. This takes into account, on some level, perceived popularity, talent/ability, fan base, back story, and everything else. Think my rankings suck? Tell me about it in the comments below! This will be updated weekly. So far on the season, I’m 2/2
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Top 13 Power Rankings

13. Jasmine: I don’t believe she deserves to be here, honestly. The girls were weak, yet there were still at least 4 girls I think would be better and more deserving.

12. Michael: The original mistake. I liked his story. Appreciated what he went through. And was rooting for him. But I just don’t think he’s very good.

11.  Kris:  Very boy-bandish in the times we’ve seen him.  I’ve seen some other videos and liked him, but when it came time, I thought he copped out.  I’ll be interested in seeing him with his guitar.  He could be a mover.
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