After the auditions: the 12 front-runners

So the auditions are behind us.  We haven't seen everyone yet, but we've seen a lot of them.  And on the basis of that half-information, we are prepared to make some predictions. 

Tens of thousands were summoned by the "Idol" trumpets.  We predict that when the dust settles and the curtain rises over the Idoldome in five weeks, it will be these 12 warriors of song onstage prepared to seize the mantle of history.  (Actually we couldn't narrow it down to 12, so we threw in one extra.)

In no particular order.  Listed by name, (audition city), age, hometown.  Audition song. Interesting fact. Link to check them out (while they last).

1. Lil Rounds: (Kansas City) 23, Memphis TN. Sang "All I Do."  Family made homeless by a tornado.  Audition video here.

2. Adam Lambert (San Francisco) 26, Hollywood, CA. Sang  “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Was in the cast of "Wicked"; looks like Ewan McGregor. Remnants of MySpace page here.  Audition video here.

3. Rose Flack (Salt Lake City) 17, Rathdrum, ID. Sang Carole King's “I Feel the Earth Move." Recently orphaned, barefoot hippie girl. MySpace page here. Audition video here.

4. Jackie Tohn (New York) 27, Silver Lake, CA. Sang Jason Mraz's "I’m Yours." Rocker since childhood.  Audition video here. Personal site here.

5. Scott MacIntyre: (Phoenix) 22, Scottsdale, AZ. Sang Billy Joel's "And So It Goes." Legally blind.  Audition video here. Personal site here.

6. Joanna Pacitti. (Louisville) 23, Philadelphia, PA.  Sang Pat Benatar's "We Belong." Had earlier recording career on A&M Records. Audition video here. MySpace page here.

7. Jorge Nunez. (San Juan) 20, Carolina, Puerto Rico. Sang  "My Way” and "What a Wonderful World." Charmed the judges when he sang in Spanish.  Audition video here. 

8. Meghan Corkrey. (Salt Lake) 23, Sandy, UT. Sang “Can’t Help Lovin’ Dat Man.”  Heavily tattooed single mother. Audition video here.

9. Kai Kalama: (San Francisco) 26, San Clemente, CA.  Sang "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes."  Cares for ailing mother.  Audition video here.  MySpace page for former band here.

10. Leneshe Young: (Louisville) 18, Cincinnati, OH. Sang original song.  Raised in homeless shelters.  Audition video here.

11. Von Smith: (Kansas City) 22, Greenwood, MO. Sang  "Over the Rainbow." Wore goofy hat; "attempts things most guys don't attempt to sing." Audition video here. MySpace page here.

12. Danny Gokey (Kansas City) 28. Milwaukee, WI.  Sang "Heard It Through the Grapevine."  Grieving recently deceased wife. Audition video here.  MySpace page here.

13. Michael Castro (Kansas City) 20. Rockwall, TX.  Sang "In Love With a Girl." Brother of Season 7 giant Jason Castro.  Audition video here.   

Whom have I left out?  Please share your thoughts!  Hollywood Week is coming fast.

-- Richard Rushfield

Photo: Fox

 

Comments

[Peter Lee]

"Recently orphaned....Legally blind....single mother....Cares for elderly mother....Raised in homeless shelters....Grieving recently deceased wife...."

Is American Idol a vocal competition or a processing center for social services?

[Happy4LA]

What about the Osmond? He seems to have a better pedigree than Castro. And how about Ann Marie Boskovich--the parking lot make-up girl-- who has family here in SoCal?

[Gerrit]

Err. . . Richard (we?) - 'Queen for a Day' was canceled years ago.

There were others with talent and no sob story that will probably make it through.

With a final 36, instead of 24, a lot can happen between now and the final 12. You know that tarnished gem that no one noticed that suddenly rises to the top. . .

That's what makes American Idol so interesting - its unpredictability. Because even if you are 'the Chosen One', you may not win.

[january13]

The dark haired married mom from Salt Lake who looks like Amy Winehouse when she was younger and sings like her and, actually sang one of her songs.

[Lysette]

I like almost all of these idol hopefuls but geez, talk about rough. Not only do you have to be able to sing on a dime and keep up with the crazy idol schedule and all the extra stuff, but now you have to be tragic.

[Aubry]

Oh please oh please another Castro!! I so love JCas and his beautiful voice. MCas is a bit more rock but both brothers have more charisma and charm for 10 men. If their is a higher being MCas will make the cut and be on AI8. As for the pedigree come on now MCas sang better and looks way better than the Ormond.

[gondodeb]

I liked coming out of the moldy closet Alex.. and Peter Lee I agree, it's getting a little sickning with all the sob story winners.

[Meg]

Kenny Hoffpauer!!!!!!!!!

[Mugsy]

Glad someone else thinks Michael Castro should be in the Top 36. I can't wait to watch more of Michael Castro!

[Sonic Boom]

Stevie Wright should be on the list as she did great on At Last.

[Idol Buff]

Ummmm.... you guys left off Jeff Engel.... I tried to find his audition on youtube but i couldnt... if he doesnt make it to the big show, it will be a travesty....

[Trish]

Anoop Desai and Ann Marie Boscovich are at the top of my list with Adam Lambert.

[nyer421]

Anoop Desai is the guy to beat and should be on the list!

[Cathy Anne]

There are a number of good singers in the mix this season. I close my eyes and see which voice is different and memorable. I think that is what makes someone having staying power. AI isn't always the right format for some that have voices for specific genres.

I especially like Michael Castro and really loved jason Castro .. brothers, but totally different in voice and style. You didn't mention Michael Castro's myspace as you did the others, so here ya go.. please go show MCas some love http://www.myspace.com/michaelcastromusic

and Jason's page has some great stuff on it too :) http://www.myspace.com/jasoncastromusic

[suebrody]

I have to agree EXCEPT with Michael Castro (he just isn't that good, IMO, and I think they put him through to be cool). I loved Ann Marie, b/c she wrote me (no, just kidding). My favorites are Kai and Adam Lambert. Of course, we haven''t seen 2/3 of the contestants yet, so it's too early to judge. Oh, and Von. No way. He is too over the top, for me, anyway.

[sue brody]

I liked Rose, but I don't think her voice is strong enough. I think we may be surprised in Hollywood, b/c they are DEFINITELY holding out on us (I would like David Osmond to make it to Top 36). Lil Rounds was great, and you definitely need to put Ann Marie on here.

Thank God we're done with the auditions. No more bad singers or sob stores. The Davids (and Syesha and Brooke and Jason and Michael) did just fine without them, remember.

[Joanna S.]

How are Rose Flack and Michael Castro on this list but not Anoop Desai??? Anoop could wipe the floor with both of them. Seriously, watch Anoop's videos on YouTube. This guy is not to be underestimated.

[Mj]

Thanks for putting that list together -- I've got a love/hate relationship with Idol (for one, I'm rarely that impressed with the folks who get furthest), but I must say I'm moderately to very interested in hearing more from the dozen-plus-one you've featured here.

(My fave, I think, is the heavily tatted recent divorcee mother -- actually an authentically unique voice on Idol?!)

... and I gotta say, even when I'm not loving the show, I'm loving the blogs recapping. I'll read even when I haven't watched. What a dork, huh?

[Donna Howard]

Michael Castro's voice gave me the awesome chills! I'll be voting for him for sure.

[americanidolfrommalaysia]

Anoop Desai seems to be a dark horse as well !! The man can really sing.. David Osmond made an impression as well. Sad to see him leave.. Although he would probably already his (music) connections through his uncles and aunties !!! Hahahaha...