‘American Idol’s’ top 12
By Richard Rushfield, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer
Here’s a tip sheet, handicapping the contenders and the soon-to-be also-rans of Season 7.
Please remember, all opinions made based on these first glimpses are subject to change, many, many times, before we reach the Kodak Theatre in May.
CONTESTANT: Michael Johns
THE SHPIEL: Duende from Down Under
CORE VOTING BLOCK(S): Female viewers, all ages.
STRENGTHS: Enormous star power
WEAKNESSES: Frankly grown up and sensual appeal (see Ann Powers Idolbanter) may terrify the youth vote.
IDOL PREDECESSOR: Unprecedented
COCKINESS QUOTIENT (1 10): 9
STAR POWER(1 10): 10 (Phil McCarten / AP)
CONTESTANT: David Hernandez
THE SPIEL: Earnest, serious. Ive been through a lot. I was raised by a single mom
broken family.
CORE VOTING BLOCK(S): Twentysomething young marrieds; office parkers.
STRENGTHS: Deadly vibrato powers
WEAKNESSES: Earnest to the point of forgettable.
IDOL PREDECESSOR: Nick Pedro
COCKINESS QUOTIENT (1 10): 5
STAR POWER (1 10): 3
ELIMINATED (Phil McCarten / AP)
CONTESTANT: Brooke White
THE SHPIEL: The good girl; Interesting but ultimately may be too light a style to compete
CORE VOTING BLOCK(S): Coffee House Open Mike Night Nation
STRENGTHS: Wholesomeness; Carly Simonesque style unique to Idol; hunky husband.
WEAKNESSES: Wholesome routine may turn corner into freakishness; singer-songwriter routine may be too low-key.
IDOL PREDECESSOR: Vanessa Olivarez
COCKINESS QUOTIENT (1 10): 6
STAR POWER(1 10): 5 (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
CONTESTANT: Amanda Overmyer
THE SHPIEL: If a semi wont take her down, nothing will. Hard-singing rocker girl is an original among contestants, should get close to top tier, but is she too far out of the mainstream to be a true contender?
CORE VOTING BLOCK(S): Hard livin rock and rollers
STRENGTHS: Will not be forgotten on election days
WEAKNESSES: Persona likely to scare the 6- to 12-year-old demo
IDOL PREDECESSOR: Chris Daughtry
COCKINESS QUOTIENT (1 10): 9
STAR POWER(1 10): 6 (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
CONTESTANT: David Archuleta
THE SHPIEL: The wunderkind; the Chosen One.
CORE VOTING BLOCK(S): Every 9 year old girl in America, a million times, plus their grandmothers.
STRENGTHS: Preternatural talents; strong appeal to Idols most powerful demographic block.
WEAKNESSES: 17 but seems 12 persona may turn-off everyone outside that block.
IDOL PREDECESSOR: Clay Aiken
COCKINESS QUOTIENT (1 10): 4
STAR POWER(1 10): 9 (Phil McCarten / AP)
CONTESTANT: Ramiele Malubay
THE SHPIEL: Little girl with the big voice. Has potential to go far.
CORE VOTING BLOCK(S): 15- to 25-year-old nightclub regulars
STRENGTHS: Pixie-like cuteness
WEAKNESSES: The cuteness shtick may get tired. Too inexpressive a personality.
IDOL PREDECESSOR: Jasmine Trias
COCKINESS QUOTIENT (1 10): 8
STAR POWER(1 10): 8 (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
CONTESTANT: Syesha Mercado
THE SHPIEL: Ive been trying to stay away from the sick ones. The one female candidate with true star presence.
CORE VOTING BLOCK(S): Adult contemporary
STRENGTHS: Magnetic presence
WEAKNESSES: Celine/Whitney style may be too familiar to Idol competition.
IDOL PREDECESSOR: Tamyra Gray
COCKINESS QUOTIENT (1 10): 7
STAR POWER(1 10): 10 (Phil McCarten / AP)
CONTESTANT: Jason Castro
THE SHPIEL: The dreadlocks say all.
CORE VOTING BLOCK(S): 13 25 year old burners; Texans.
STRENGTHS: Ethereal hippy appeal likely to stand out among the crowd
WEAKNESSES: Hippies are ultimately a niche audience and rarely crossover to general voting population.
IDOL PREDECESSOR: Blake Lewis
COCKINESS QUOTIENT (1 10): 2
STAR POWER(1 10): 7 (Phil McCarten / AP)
CONTESTANT: Kristy Lee Cook
THE SHPIEL: If I win this, I want to make enough money to buy back my horse. Favorite of audition tour, may fade in the Idoldomes harsh glare
CORE VOTING BLOCK(S): Country boys
STRENGTHS: All-American girl
WEAKNESSES: Forgettable in diverse crowd
IDOL PREDECESSOR: Melissa McGhee
COCKINESS QUOTIENT (1 10): 5
STAR POWER(1 10): 5 (Kevin Winter / Getty Images)
CONTESTANT: Carly Smithson
THE SHPIEL: The comeback queen; groomed for greatness but evident insecurity raises doubts whether she can rise to the challenge
CORE VOTING BLOCK(S): Irish-American; the middle-aged
STRENGTHS: Powerful vocal talents, intense personality, good back story that owns up to showbiz past; childhood touring with Les Miz will endear her to show tunes fans.
WEAKNESSES: May be too intense and dark to connect with audience.
IDOL PREDECESSOR: Katharine McPhee
COCKINESS QUOTIENT (1 10): 3
STAR POWER(1 10): 8 (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
CONTESTANT: David Cook
THE SHPIEL: Alterna-rocker brings mildly ironic twist.
CORE VOTING BLOCK(S): 28 45 year old white eclectic music listeners.
STRENGTHS: Unique persona in the pack; alternative without being scary.
WEAKNESSES: The John Mayer path likely a bit too intense and limiting to go the distance.
IDOL PREDECESSOR: Constantin Maroulis
COCKINESS QUOTIENT (1 10): 5
STAR POWER(1 10): 6 (Frederick M. Brown / Getty Images)
CONTESTANT: Chikezie
THE SPIEL: The hardest working Idol contestant, fought his way back after rejection last year.
CORE VOTING BLOCK(S): Middle-aged to elderly R&B fans.
STRENGTHS: Likable winning personality.
WEAKNESSES: Showed flash of temper and cockiness after Simons pan; uncontemporary style.
IDOL PREDECESSOR: Ruben Studdard
COCKINESS QUOTIENT (1 10): 9
STAR POWER (1 10): 6 (Phil McCarten / AP)
