American Idol - Top 24 Revealed!

We’ve been hearing for months that the top 24 of this year’s American Idol is the most talented. It began before the season even started, and we must have heard it several times during both shows this week. The obvious question is, is this really the best talent ever on the show, or is this just more empty promises, similar to The Bachelor and its “Most Dramatic Rose Ceremony Ever?” Here’s a rundown of everything we know of our final 24, from the first time we saw them until their bios popped up on americanidol.com.

Carly Smithson, 24, originally from Dublin, Ireland. She originally tried out in an earlier season and made it to Hollywood, but she didn’t get her visa in time. This time, armed with her visa, she tried out again, but Simon said she wasn’t as good as last time. Making it to Hollywood anyway, she saw a doctor about the problem and found she is allergic to her dog, so wore a mask around the house the entire week before Hollywood. She did well in Hollywood. As for her other talents aside from singing, she claims to be able to pour the perfect pint. Someone I want to know.

David Cook, 25, of Tulsa, Oklahoma. He came in wanting to be Daughtry, but he has a different edge to him, so I’ve been saying he’s more like a cross been Daughtry and Blake Lewis with that funky hair of his. Simon didn’t like his guitar playing in Hollywood, saying he thought without it, it would show some vulnerabilities. Paula pointed out they didn’t think that when they first saw him audition. His special talents are watching TV, sleeping and eating. Hmm. Wow! Someone else has the exact same talents as me!

Amanda Overmyer, 23, of Mulberry, Indiana. She’s referred to as either the rock ‘n roll nurse or Harley-riding nurse. She has an uncanny ability to sound like Janis Joplin. She pulled it out at the auditions and Hollywood. The question remains with everyone, especially Simon, if she can change it up a little, as he predictably said it was all beginning to sound the same. Not surprisingly, her favorite quote is from Joplin, “I was born a long way from home. I have spent my whole life just trying to get back,” and the other artists she enjoys are Credence Clearwater Revival and Bob Seger, as well as more recent Guns ‘n Roses.

David Archuleta, 17, has a paralyzed vocal chord, but was on Star Search when he was 12. He amazingly can pour his emotions into a song, even at this age. Nothing in his bio or anything else is entirely fascinating about him. He’s just so good, nothing else matters.

Kristy Lee Cook, 24, of Selma, Oregon, is the cage-fighting kickboxer that lives in a log cabin. She inspired Randy and Simon to start discussing her doing her fighting in jello. She struggled initially in Hollywood, until she went back to the song that got her there to Hollywood, Amazing Grace. Outside of singing, she’s not only into fighting, but also softball, swimming, gymnastics, horse training and riding, modeling, and acting. Jack of all trades, master of none?

Brooke White, 24, of Van Nubs California, is the nanny that hasn’t ever watched an R rated movie and claims her husband doesn’t either. She was stunned by the level of talent in the others that made it to Hollywood, yet she must have had just as much to survive and be one of the final 24. In her bio she thanks her parents for opening her up to the soulful sounds of the 70s, such as Carole King, Fleetwood Mac, and America. She claims to be right-brained, enjoying other artsy fartsy things such as drawing, decorating, and doing hair. She also uses the word “Wowsers!” in her bio.

Danny Noriega, 18, of Azusa, California, tried out for American Idol lat year but buckled under the pressure. The judges weren’t expecting that type of voice to come out of him. He did well in Hollywood, moving straight to the last day after his original performance. He pretty much adds nothing enlightening to his bio, yet he includes himself as one of his favorite male pop artists, which is jumping the gun quite a bit.

Jason Castro, 20, of Rowlett, Texas. We didn’t get to meet Jason before the final 24 announcement. His bio includes Ray Lamontagne and Kelly Clarkson as his favorite pop artists, and says he took chorus in fifth grade, but didn’t have any other formal voice training until his freshman year of college, Unless he’s a Doogie Howser type, that couldn’t have been that long ago. He’s another one that likes to do artsy fartsy things, yet he refers to it as being artistic.

Luke Menard, 29, Crawfordsville, Indiana, is another one we haven’t met previously. His bio states that he enjoys the music of James Taylor, Maroon 5, Keane, Billy Joel, John Mayer, Eva Cassidy, Tracy Chapman, and Kelly Clarkson. He didn’t start to sing until his freshman year of high school, and his other interests include weightlifting and riding motorcycles. Not too incredibly exciting, so it’s probably why we haven’t heard too much from him so far.

Alexandrea Lushington, 16, of Atlanta, Georgia. Another one without very exciting background information, she enjoys listening to John Mayer, Jason Mraz, Lenny Kravitz, Alicia Keyes, Nikka Costa, and Shakira. She started singing as a toddler in her grandfather’s church, and started piano lessons at the age of 7. She is also a writer of not only music, but stories and scripts as well.

Ramiele Malubay, 20, of Miramar, Florida stated at her audition that she wanted to be the first Asian Idol. All the judges thought she became more sultry when she sang, and Simon accused Randy of liking her because she was tiny. She has a long list of favorite pop artists, including Justin Timberlake John Mayer, Kanye West, Robin Thicke, Christina Aguilera, Lauryn Hill, and Natasha Bedingfield. Ramiele also plays the piano and guitar and used to dance. With her size, she was probably never headed toward a career in dance.

Michael Johns, 29, Los Angeles, California, is originally from Australia, and after his first audition, the judges were referring to him as the white soul singer. On the last day of Hollywood he was called the best that day for his soulful rendition of Bohemian Rhapsody. Not surprisingly, he’s a fan of older soul artists such as Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin. He also plays tennis. Soul and tennis just don’t jive very well.

Sayesha Mercado, 20, of Miami, Florida. We saw her for the first time in Hollywood. She struggled the first few days because of a little laryngitis. She pulled it out on the last day with some Aretha Franklin, despite still being a little hoarse. Randy called her the one to watch, and Paula made a game out of telling her she made it by finding the word “yes” in her name. She was influenced musically by not only Aretha, but also Etta James and Whitney Houston. She sang for the first time in church at the age of 4 and also acts, dances, and does impersonations and animated voices.

Robbie Carrico, 26, Melbourne, Florida, was once in a boy band, but now mostly resembles Bo Bice. He was told it wasn’t unanimous putting him through, and it was probably Simon that was against him. He’s a fan of Rob Thomas, Brett, and Christina Aguilera. He claims to also do impressions. He’s from a town just next to where I spent nearly every spring break growing up, so I’m interested in watching him.

Garrett Haley, 17, of Elida, Ohio, is yet another contestant we haven’t met yet. He also included Christina Aguilera as an influence musically, as well as Steve Perry and the Backstreet Boys. They make a very interesting combination. His other talents include soccer and video games. Typical teenage boy.

Kady Malloy, 18, of Houston, Texas, is yet another impressionist, and sang a few in her audition, but did even better once she sang in her own voice. We never got to see her in Hollywood and weren’t sure what happened to her until now. She likes the oldies, it seems, with influences such as Queen, Elton John, Billy Joel, and Led Zeppelin, but she also enjoys Britney Spears, Eva Cassidy, and Carrie Underwood. She claims to have been singing in her “mommy’s tummy.” That’s interesting.

Chikezie Eze, 22, of Inglewood, California, originally auditioned last year. Simon found him interesting, but not his voice. He has many musical influences, such as Donnie Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, and John Legend. He doesn’t think he has any other talents. Simon’s right; he isn’t interesting.

Amy Davis, 25, of Cedar Lake, Indiana, claimed at her first audition to grow up lower than low class, but the judges liked her possibilities. Her biggest musical influence is Patty Griffin, and she hopes to be just like her one day. She also enjoys The Fray and Brenda Carlisle. Her other talents include cleaning (she can visit me here at my place any time), training dogs, and playing guitar. Now this one sounds interesting!

Alaina Whitaker, 16, Tulsa, Oklahoma. We haven’t heard anything from her up to this point. She enjoys listening to Martina McBride, Faith Hill, Patsy Cline, and Celine Dion as well as Keith Urban, and Justin Timberlake. She’s captain of her pom squad and also runs track.

Jason Yeager, 28, of Grand Prairie, Texas, is another we haven’t heard anything from yet, but he has an interesting white stripe in the front of his hair, that looks like he could turn into Jay Leno very soon. His musical influences include Journey, Michael Buble, and Boyz II Men. He plays the guitar and piano by ear, as well as a little drums. So far his hair is still the most interesting thing about him.

Asia’h Epperson, 19, of Joplin, Missouri, lost her father a few days before her first audition and sang an inspired How Do I Live. On the last day in Hollywood, Simon told her it was her best audition by far. Her musical influences include Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, and Toni Braxton. She also enjoys dancing, sports, fashion, make-up, and acting. It’s going to be a hard, emotional time when she is eliminated.

David Hernandez, 24, of Phoenix, Arizona, was first seen in Hollywood. He inspired an over-the-head clap from Paula with his rendition of Love the One You’re With. His musical influences include Donnie Hathaway, Steve Wonder, Alicia Keys, and Peabo Bryson. He includes acting as a talent, as he was in an independent film. There’s too many listed in imdb.com to figure out which movie he was in.

Colton Berry, 17, of Staunton, Virginia, wasn’t seen until the Hollywood rounds, and then it was just briefly. As for musical influences, he states he’s always been surrounded by music, so is influenced by everyone and everything. He enjoys listening to Usher, Billy Joel, Eric Clapton, John Lennon, and Kelly Clarkson. He’s also an actor, being involved with theatre since grade school. The most interesting thing about him is his favorite quote, “Hey, Girl, Hey!”

Joanne Borgella, 25, Hoboken, New Jersey, is the plus-size model that once sang the national anthem at Madison Square Garden, an impressive feat. We didn’t see her at all in Hollywood and she was then the last of the final 24 to make it. She has been inspired by Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Barbra Streisand, Alanis Morrisette, and Andrea Bocelli. She includes Chris Daughtry as a favorite artist of hers and notes she’s not just saying that. She loves to make jewelry and design clothing, and after she made it to Hollywood, she found herself a vocal coach.

Next week we’ll lose four of these people, and for the next two weeks after that, we’ll lose the same each week, until we are left with our final twelve. Who are your favorites to make it?

For more information on American Idol, see SirLinksalot: American Idol.