American Idol's top 12 women

Blogging American Idol live, hope the women are better than the guys were. Oooh, the flu's hit the gropu... curious to see who can overcome. Brooke will go after tonight, I predict based on the walk-out (I think I was right yesterday about Garrett).

Randy claims the guys were really good last night--oh?! Then Ryan asks Paula, girl to girl, what her advice for the group is... she says just work it out, sick or not. Simon's asked about sparring from contestants, he says he likes it.

They do a montage of the women, then go to break... ugh, no FF.

Kristy Lee Cook up first, who I like. She wants to buy her horse back; my guess is someone watching the show will send her the cash. Strides out with Rescue Me; tight goldish top, jeans. A bit flat-seeming and safe, she keeps scrunching up her nose at the camera. It's average, tone isn't bad but not great. She's standing like she's riding a horse, audience is just sitting there. Randy says not your best, pitch problems all the way through; Paula says being sick, being first--double whammy, bring out your shine next time; Simon says bad song choice, you needed to belt it out; robotic, who cares about being sick, no impression. I think she needs to get glammed up a bit, too.

Joanne Borgella, the plus-size model who keeps talking about it. She's pretty good, not sure how long she'll be around. In blue and black; kindof a rough start, her voice gets swallowed up a bit. Say a Little Prayer for You; hmm, she has a decent tone, think she's a bit pitchy. Powering through, bit strident at times; not a bad performance but also nothing amazing. Randy says some nerves, first part was weird but worked it out; Paula says you've been good in the past, build your confidence, enjoy it; Simon didn't like it at all, you have to come out and nail it, just average cabaret version of a cabaret song, no confidence, substandard. If you don't grab hold of your chance now, you don't deserve to win the show. She wants another chance she tells Ryan; has a good attitude towards the criticism, is a real adult. Wonder if sulking pretty boy noticed.

Alaina Whitaker, the youngest contestant, who has a birthday tomorrow and says she just wants to stick around--and get some great shoes. Ugh, not a great impression from the chat with Ryan. In yellow and white top, jeans; gosh, she has a good voice--slow, sultry, controlled; very aware of the camera. Nice big voice, good energy, seems to be having a good time--total natural on stage. I Love You More Today Than Yesterday; good song choice, lots of color and gets people on their feet. Nice job. Randy likes her conviction and confidence after a rough start; Paula says it was all feel good, great ending; Simon is grinning, says I think you're very good. Hates the song, so corny, but you made a bad song sound okay, will sail through to the next round.

Amanda Overmeyer, who's totally different than everyone else, I like her. Oooh, total high energy, strides out there all in black with patchy trousers--Baby Please don't Go; words a bit swallowed up, it's a hard song to pull off. But totally rocking; she's totally performing. Hard to understand her, but you kind of get swept up. It's kindof falling apart a bit, starts shouting. Not really my thing, but interesting. Randy likes it all, Paula loves it all, the real deal; Simon is just laughing, really liked it too, authentic; he didn't get the skatting halfway through and doesn't know the song apparently, says you'll have to sing for real at some point and a bit all over the place, but I like you. She's very comfortable up there, she says she hates watching herself dance for that promo clip. She's totally cool, and polite.


Amy Davis--who's a grad student and trade show model, and a quarter Japanese, as Paula dug out. She has kind of a bewitching look; black top and jeans. Oooh, good song choice--Where the Boys Are. It just rollllls out, slow and deliberate. She's nervous and it's a bit off; feels like it's off-key. But big voice. I don't know, started out good, but I think she's losing the audience a bit, she's not really on key. Randy is laughing, not great--you scoop up to the note, but you had a lot of pitch problems; Paula says you're beautiful, but nervous, not the most engaging song; Simon says you look great, but didn't sound great, boring song and cabaret. Thinks she'll struggle; I don't think so. Tells Ryan she felt shaky.

Brooke White, the nanny, she seems a bit like she lives in her own world; not sure if she'll live up to her potential, but I liked her at the audition stage. Doing Golden Grahams song, part deux; plays to her smoky voice, there's a compelling sense to it that I like. Hey, I like it--she performs it well, varies the tone well, can really sing, the guys seem to be into it. Randy says rough start, but worked it out, you got your slaying on; Paula says you're very original, good song choice, great; Simon says good choice, but it's all so dated, very you but not all relevant; I presume you're just going to be nice all the way through this contest. The back and forth just goes on forever, it's pointless, Simon uses the phrase washing up liquid cause that's what they call it in the UK.

Alexandrea Lushington, doing a very breathy version of Spinning Wheel, in t-shirt and suspenders. It's okay; oversings, overperforms. Some pitch problems, I don't like the song so not crazy about it all. Randy says young kids are doing well, you blew the doors off that, you stayed on the notes despite all the weird chords; Paula loved it, took control of the whole thing, dope outfit, lot of confidence, totally updated the song; Simon didn't get it, vocals weren't great, like some awful musical; Randy and Paula totally disagree. Hmm, her parents seem cool, likely Obama supporters. She corrects Ryan on how to say her name, she's kindof got an attitude. Simon says no outstandingly good vocals really, everyone's capable of better.

Kady Milloy, who has an almost preternatural steadiness in the interviews. She says she's obsessed with music, works in a studio. Very expressive face; wow--great voice! Groovy Kind of Love--she is really good. Brown dress, sitting there just spooling out the song, is a total natural performer. This is the best single performance so far this year. It's like the finals already; interesting pacing of the song, seems very authentic. Randy loved the backstage stuff, found it okay, so restrained and controlled, kept waiting for it to get belted out, felt like your concentration was gone. Paula says want more of your personality, life, fun; Simon agrees with Paula, like Night of the Living Dead. Ah, I disagree with all of them, I liked the song and performance. Simon says lighten up, have fun. Kady's really unhappy, like look of death; Paula says don't worry so much about how you should be, just be you. She needs to be careful she doesn't come across as ice queen.

Asia'h Eperson, whose dad died, one of the best stories this year. Purple top, jeans; a lot of head movement, but kindof a rollicking performance, interesting version of a Janis song, Piece of My Heart. Not sure it's a good choice for her, song seems too big for her voice, which keeps fading out. Eh, just okay. Randy loved it, impressed; Paula says some good moments; Simon says his favorite of the night. So weird... he says she let go, had fun, likeable.

Ramiele Malubay, whose name and age flashes on the screen for two seconds. Odd. She seems much more serious in interviews than on screen. Dusty Springfield song, odd outfit--like sweat pants. Husky voice, slow and controlled and dramatic start. A bit thin; You Don't Have to Say You Love Me should be belted out, she kind of slows it down and shapes it a bit much, she should've just let go. Randy says loved how you took your time, built it up, very classy, like a pro; Paula says you're a force to be reckoned with, beautiful range in your voice; Simon says he didn't like her at first, probably in Hollywood though most consistently good, and tonight you outsung everyone. Eh, I'm totally out of synch with the judges tonight; she loves all the hair and makeup, and the shoes too. She's humble, didn't expect the praise, thanks.

Syesha Mercado, who wants to sing from her soul. In black top with reddish scarf, big smile--wow, she puts on a show; totally confident, in control, high energy. Tobacco Road, she's like a pro; I'm not crazy about the song choice, but she puts on the best performance of the night, easily. Judges are totally smiling, Randy says big voice, some pitchy but overall liked it; Paula loved it, big and joyful and fun; Simon says not best best, but one of the most talented girls here, calls it terrific. She has a constant big smile, I like her.

That Irish lass Carly Smithson closes, who says she signed with a record company at 17, before it folded. I don't really like her, for whatever reason. Wow! She's like a real adult, really pure voice, pro style; in purple top and black pants. Not sure about the song choice, but very powerful. I guess I'm more impressed by it than enjoying it; as it goes on, I'm less impressed. She lacks something beyond vocal ability, not sure what. Randy says this is what the show's all about; you're sick but the best vocal of the top 24--Carly jumps in gratuitously with sick is not an excuse. Hmm, that's why I don't like her. Paula likes it too; Simon didn't like her, so much hype and expectations but song was too old fashioned, mike technique was cabaret, it was all a letdown. You didn't live up to your capabilities, not fantastic at all. Carly has no sense of humor, she forces herself to smile though.

I guess I've got Alexandrea and Joanne leaving; don't dislike either of them really; am beginning to really not like Carly.

Randy says chicks are better than the guys so far; Paula says enjoy your experience; Simon says there are 3 great guys, 3-4 great girls. Kady is just staring daggers at him, it's funny.

Four hours of performances, and nothing really sticks in my mind; the best singing so far has been from the audition clips.

Kady Milloy, 18, Houston, Texas
Syesha Mercado, 21, Sarasota, Florida
Alaina Whitaker, 16, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Brooke White, 24, Mesa, Arizona
Kristy Lee Cook, 24, Selma, Oregon
Amanda Overmeyer, 23, Mulberry, Indiana
Carly Smithson, 24, San Diego, California
Asia'h Eperson, 19, Jopplin, Missouri
Ramiele Malubay, 20, Miaramar, Florida
Amy Davis, 25, Lowell Indiana
Joanne Borgella, 25, Hoboken, New Jersey
Alexandrea Lushington, 17, Douglasville, Georgia

Top 6 predictions after Hollywood round
Kristy Lee Cook
Ramiele Malubay
Amanda Overmeyer
Asia'h Epperson
Amy Davis
Kady Malloy