AMERICAN IDOL

Subject: AMERICAN IDOL Sat Mar 14, 2009 4:01 pm

Kris Allen, 23 (born June 21, 1985) from Conway, Arkansas – a college student who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. He's best known for his group performance of "I Want You Back" by The Jackson 5 during Hollywood week with a group called White Chocolate. He was married about five months before competing in the top-13.

Anoop Desai, 22 (born December 20, 1986) from Chapel Hill, North Carolina – a college student who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. He impressed the judges when he auditioned in Kansas City. While at school he was one of the lead singers of the UNC Clef Hangers, an a cappella vocal group that covered multiple genres of music. Desai was announced as the 13th finalist after the judges increased the finals into a Top 13. He is of Indian descent and is an only child.

Matt Giraud, 23 (born May 11, 1985) from Kalamazoo, Michigan – a dueling pianist who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky. For his audition, he sang "I Don't Want to Be" by Gavin Degraw. His rendition of "Georgia on My Mind" in Hollywood made him a judge favorite.

Danny Gokey, 28 (born April 24, 1980) from Milwaukee, Wisconsin – a praise and worship music director who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri along with best friend Jamar Rogers. Both made it to the Hollywood rounds, but Rogers was eliminated at week's end. Four weeks before the audition, Gokey's wife, Sophia, diagnosed with a congenital heart disease, passed away. His wife had motivated him to try out before she died. He is a judge favorite.

Alexis Grace, 21 (born June 9, 1987), from Memphis, Tennessee – a stay-at-home mom who auditioned in Louisville, Kentucky with the song Doctor Feelgood by Mötley Crüe. Has a young daughter and is engaged to marry the child's father. After her Top 36 performance, Cowell compared her to Kelly Clarkson.

Allison Iraheta, 16 (born April 27, 1992) from Los Angeles, California – a high school student who auditioned in San Francisco, California. In 2006, she won $50,000 and a recording contract after competing in a Telemundo reality show, Quinceañera. Both Cowell and Jackson have declared Iraheta is "one to watch in this competition".

Megan Joy, 23 (born August 5, 1985) from Sandy, Utah – a font designer/single mom who auditioned in Salt Lake City, Utah with the song "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man." Cowell has expressed numerous times that she is one of his favorites. After the Wildcard episode, she dropped her last name Corkrey because it belonged to her ex-husband.

Adam Lambert, 27 (born January 29, 1982) from San Francisco, California – a stage actor who auditioned in San Francisco, California. Before auditioning for American Idol, he was in the touring and Los Angeles casts of Wicked. His renditions of "Some Kind of Wonderful" and "Believe" made him a judge favorite.

Scott MacIntyre, 23 (born June 22, 1985) from Scottsdale, Arizona – a visually impaired pianist who auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona. MacIntyre plays several instruments including the piano. Classically trained, he has been internationally profiled on various TV affiliates such as CNN, national and local news, radio, and print media as pianist, vocalist, and songwriter. His sister was also born blind.

Lil Rounds, 24 (born November 14, 1984) from Memphis, Tennessee – a stay-at-home mom who auditioned in Kansas City, Missouri. Her house in Memphis was previously destroyed by a tornado on February 5, 2008. She is married with three children. Since her audition, Rounds has been a judge favorite.

Michael Sarver, 28 (born February 9, 1981), from Jasper, Texas – an oil rig roughneck worker who auditioned in Phoenix, Arizona. Is married, and has two children.

Jorge Nuñez 20 (born May 12, 1988) from Cidra, Puerto Rico – a college student who auditioned in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He is fluent in English, French, and Spanish. He is the first Puerto Rican to reach the finals. His influences include Luis Fonsi and Marc Anthony. Although the show states he is from the city of Carolina, he only boarded there. He was one of the first two to leave the Top 13, as he was voted off on March 11, 2009.

Jasmine Murray, 16 (born March 14, 1992) from Starkville, Mississippi – a high school student who auditioned in Jacksonville, Florida with the song Big Girls Son't Cry by Fergie.She was Miss Mississippi's Outstanding Teen 2007. She was eliminated on March 11, 2009 in a double elimination at the Top 13 stage.

Who's you favorite?