UPDATE: Joesplace has added more contestants to the list of contestants rumored to have made the AI Season 8 Top 50. In January, the Top 50 will be whittled down to the Top 36 contestants who will compete live on the show.

Here’s my updated list.

More spoiler updates from the extremely reliable American Idol spoiler, JoesPlace. Check out her updated blog HERE.

New to the Top 50 list:

Angela Martin – Mom from Season 7 whose kid has Rhett syndrome. She’s featured in one of the AI Season 8 commercial spots. She’s a second chancer…we’ll see how far she gets this time… MySpace

Emily Wynne-Hughes She’s from Los Angeles, and plays in a pop/punk band called Go Betty Go–they just finished a European tour. The music is faux-edgy–similar to Gina Glocksen from Season 6. Emily is well-known enough to get invited to Hollywood parties, like the recent Quentin Tarentino Birthday Bash in Las Vegas (photo above). The VFTW peeps dug up some interesting stuff–for instance, she worked at the salon where Britney Spears shaved her head, and was present at the time. Singing “Baracuda” outside the stadium HERE. You Tube channel HERE. Her MySpace. She’s the blond singing “Baracuda” in this AI promo HERE. Check out Go Betty Go’s MySpace Page. (via King Julien at Idol Forums)

Jacklyn Jackie’s  Tohn – She has a Wikipedia page, and a list of credits for small TV and film roles, including The Nanny, The Sopranos, Strangers with Candy, Angel, Veronica Mars and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. She’s done musical theater, released an EP in 2005, and performed acoustic shows in and around LA and NYC. Links: Myspace Website

Junot Joyner – Made it to Hollywood Season 7. On his MySpace, there are pictures of him hanging out during his audition with Carly Smithson.

Justin Williams – He appears to be a balladeer, judging by these videos – Video1, Video2, Video3


T.K. Hash – Terrence T.K. Hash made it to Hollywood Season 7. This link hints that T.K. may be a Christian music artist. (thanks anijsch)

New and Notable Hollywood Contestants

Adam Lambert – Adam, the “goth guy” has been identified, and he’s pretty out there. He’s got the 70′s heavy-metal androgyny deal going on, and it’ll be interesting to see how far he gets. He’s got crazy insane vocal ability, with an amazing range, but due to his “quirks”, my bet is that he’s been cast as a “personality” type who isn’t meant to advance very far. According to sources at Vote for the Worst, he does really well in Hollywood, but no word on if he’s made the Top 50 or not. Besides music, Adam also has stage experience, playing Moses opposite Val Kilmer in the Ten Commandments at the Kodak Theater in 2004. MySpace You Tube.

Ann Marie Boskovich Add Ann Marie to the long list of female singer/songwriter types who’ve advanced to Hollywood this year. She’s based in Nashville and has a very commercial pop/country sound. MySpace.

Alexander Green Alexander is part of a duo called James Alexander. They play kinda John Mayer-ish jazz pop, and Alexander appears to know his way around a guitar. James Alexander, Alexander.

Jacquelyn Jackie’s  Mendez According to VFTW, Jackie was a contestant on that failed ABC show The One that also featured Syesha Mercado, and Kara DioGuardi as a judge. Check out her video HERE. Jackie performed with Ricky Martin in the past and had a 5 year recoding contract with Elektra Records.

Jesse McCullagh – Acoustic singer/songwriter. MySpace. He’s in an adventurous acoustic/electric band called The Gentleman Outfit – MySpace.

After the Jump, a round-up of Hollywood Contestants featured in past posts. My list of the rumored Top 50 (It’s short–the leaks have been few and far between this year…) is HERE.

  • Mishavonna Henson – She made it to Hollywood last year too. Here’s her Myspace music page. She’s got a good recording/pop voice, and she looks like she might have some personality.
  • Felicia Barton, an awesome singer/songwriter, is one of my favorites, so far. Be sure to check out her My Space. You won’t be sorry. Video1, Video2, Video3. Rumor has it she’s taken down a bunch of her You Tubes…a sign that she may have made the Top 50
  • Scott MacIntyre – He’s the piano playing blind guy’s ‘though that picture on his MySpace has him staring right into the camera. His songs are piano-ballady, and his bio claims he’s produced and recorded 6 albums!
  • Joanna Pacitti is already causing a stir. Her family sued when, at the age of 12, she was fired from a Broadway production of Annie. She was previously singed to A&M and Geffen Records and had a song that was covered by Britney Spears. She’s this year’s plant’s  a la Carly Smithson last year. Also, rumor has it she broke up DWTS pro Mark Ballas and his girlfriend. Wiki, MySpace, Video1, Video2, Video3.
  • Kristen McNamara: She was a previous Star Search and Nashville Star contestant. ( Her music ? Not very country, although she does yodel) She boasts a 4 octave range and has been a regular National Anthem singer at 49er games. Her bio says she’s working/writing with Chris Trevett, (Backstreet Boys, N’s ync, Britney Spears, Aaron Carter) finishing and indie record. Her Nashville Star Star profile says she’s opened for Lonestar, Collin Raye, Diamond Rio, Montgomery Gentry, Kenny Chesney, Kevin Sharp, Travis Tritt and Glen Campbell. Recording with John Stewart – Video.
  • Von Lee Smith – His over-the-top video performance of And I Am Telling You’s  went viral and he became something of a You Tube star. Consequently, he was invited to perform on The View and BET’s 106 and Park. My Space, Video1, Video2, Video3, Video4, Video5
  • Danielle Danni’s  Roundtree – Danni was Miss New York, USA 2008. Links: My Space My Space Music Miss USA NBC.
  • Perrie Cataldo (Also from S7′s ‘He’s the single dad with a young daughter, and an arrest record)
  • Otto Malone – This contestant should get a ton of screen time. He’s a chief warrant officer in his National Guard unit, and was seriously wounded in the leg by enemy fire late last year while piloting an Apache helicopter over Musa Qala in Afghanistan. He auditioned on crutches. MySpace.
  • Jenisis Samoranos – Piano-playing R&B singer. My Space Midomi
  • Natasha Valentin – According to IDF and VFTW, she was a contestant on Nashville Star. Her Videos and MySpace
  • Allison Iraheta – She’s got her own fansite, if that means anything. She won the Celebrate Life with Hope’s  award from Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles, and sang at the benefit with Babyface. She won a Telemundo reality show called Quincea’sÆ’ ±era in 2006.
  • John Twiford – His ex-band B.O.L.T (short for Breath of Life Tribe) are a bunch of new new-ager types, singing a bunch of jam-band hippie crap. The hilariously OTT concept they’s â„ ¢ve got going is worth checking out. MySpace.
  • Aubrey Logan – She has a full scholarship to the Berklee School of Music. The Jazz/a Capella version of Radiohead’s High and Dry’s  she’s got up on her Myspace could have been dialed back a few notches.
  • Ashley Anderson -She’s another singer/songwriter type. She’s really good! My Space
  • Phoebe Holiday – Yet another singer/songwriter
  • Kendall Beard – And yet another singer/songwriter. Am I detecting a trend?
  • Tatiana Nicole Del ToroEspanol!
  • Nate Marshall – Seriously annoying music. But, this isn’t too bad
  • Lacey Brown – Seriously NOT annoying music. check her out, she’s good.

Rumored to be cut…

  • David Osmond – Check him out singing with his brothers and David Archuleta at a recent Christmas concert in Utah. HERE. He’s rumored to have been cut in Hollywood.
  • Michael Castro, is Jason Castro’s younger brother. He’s rumored to have been cut in Hollywood.
  • Anna Kaelin is the daughter of David Archuleta’s vocal coach, Dean Kaelin. Dean, if you’ll recall, played family mouth-piece during the competition, speaking out on the Dadchuleta controversy, and other issues. Also rumored to have been cut in Hollwood.
  • Julissa Veloz – She worked with Gerry Williams, who produced Justin Timberlake and Celine Dion. She’s a model and did a test shoot for Abercrombie and Fitch. Rumored to be cut in Hollywood.
  • Bikini Girl!Katrina Darrell, chick from the commercial. Her singing is special.’s  Myspace. Rumor has it she was cut in Hollywood…as well she should have been.
  • Tom Korbee and Jennifer Jen’s  Korbee – A husband and wife made it to Hollywood’s ‘for the first time, I believe. Can’s â„ ¢t wait to witness the meltdown when one of them is eliminated! The song the husband’s got playing on his website, American Son’s  is third-rate Springsteen-lite. Wife Jennifer fares much better with the pleasant singer-songwriter material she’s got on her website. Jennifer previously released the out-of-print album, Give a Girl a Reason’s , and starred in a childrens show, Hi-5. More links: Tom My Space Face Book, Jennifer My Space Wiki. Rumor has it Jennifer was cut in Hollywood. No word yet on the fate of Tom.

 
  • JJ123

    just curious….how accurate were last years spoilers?? If I remember correctly they were pretty right on??

    I’m very familiar with Jennifer Korbee (nee Petersen-Hind) on Hi-5, as a matter of fact I watch it about 3 times a week with my son, lol. It’s kind of strange cuz when I was watching it just a couple days ago I had a thought if any of them could try out for AI….weird.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    just curiousà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.how accurate were last years spoilers?? If I remember correctly they were pretty right on??

    Very accurate. Once Joesplace puts it on her list, I know it’s good.

  • brie200

    mj, have you heard anything else about the MCas rumor? I know there was a VFTW rumor he was cut and that might very well be, but Joe’s Place for whatever reason doesn’t list him as cut the same way it does for the likes of the Osmond and Anna Kaelin.

    Michael Castro also now has a music myspace if anyone wants to hear what his voice sounds like. Keep in mind this is far from a professional recording.

    http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewProfile&friendID=439810073

  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    ^No, I love that song from James Morrison but his vice is not good… but is weird, I though he didnt have a myspace muic before… could it be that he made it past Hollywood and they are preparing for promotiong him in season 8…

  • hicksaholic

    I am really excited about Jason’s little brother. Now if only Taylor had a little brother that tried out and made it. His younger half brother plays an instrument but doesn’t sing so I guess it won’t happen.

  • hardkandy

    Yeah, not a fan of MCas’ voice either. Jason has a much, much, much better recording voice.

  • sonyab

    Von Lee Smith – His over-the-top video performance of à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“And I Am Telling Youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  went viral and he became something of a You Tube star.
    ============================================
    I don’t think he is over the top! He is fantastic and amazing!!! :)

  • WestiesRule

    I’m just trying to get a feel for what they are looking for this year. Every year there are more and more “semi” pros looking for a break. To my mind this is not what Idol is about but what it has evolved into. Realistically, how much undiscovered raw talent is there around anyway? Right now it looks as if they are looking for the singer/songwriter types. Reminds me of “current” James Taylor, Carley Simon, Joni Mitchell types. I actually like that genre. While Idol may provide the break, it’s the staying power that counts and only a few have proved they have it (winners or not). Good luck to the current crop of hopefuls.

  • sunchick

    Okay, I was intrigued by “goth” “out there” and “androgeny” (angst and guyliner FTW) and googled. I got this youtube channel. If that’s the right goth Adam, and I think it is because I spotted Val Kilmer, holy hell, does he have a killer voice. Also, do you think AI will allow him to use back up dancers during a cover of Crazy? It’s obviously the next step after instruments, yes? :smile1_ee:

  • terps

    Mcastro doesn’t really have a good voice. I think if he makes it, it will be for the worng reason. I’m lovin me some Ann MArie. I might have to mute during Von lee Smiths perfromance though.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    Just…NO on Michael Castro.

    If he wasn’t Jason’s brother….yeah, that.

    And, don’t touch JMorrison if you can’t handle that.

    Tsk.

  • sonyab

    I might have to mute during Von lee Smiths perfromance though.
    ===================================
    Awww terps. To bad he isn’t your type of singer. :) But that’s okay. We all have different tastes. :)

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    Lovin’ Alexander Green, BTW.

  • cookcricket

    Justà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦NO on Michael Castro.

    If he wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t Jasonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s brotherà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦.yeah, that.

    And, donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t touch JMorrison if you canà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t handle that.

    Tsk.

    It’s interesting how people here different things. I listened to MC, not being familiar with James Morrison, and really thought there was potential. I kinda like the raspy quality to his voice and was kinda impressed since this is far from a professional recording. Of course this is jmo.

  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    ^Maybe it is not professional recording, but when you campare him to any of the live performance of most of last season idols and I ´m not even talking about the AI performances but the Idol Tour were the idols were againts bandzilla and the public screams, I ´m not even talking favorites here, his voice don ´t sounds that good, is out tune and it don ´t have the emotion the song has to have… it sounds like one of my friends trying to sing that song in the karaoke machine and the score was the lowest… but as you said yourself YMMV…

  • itsalleternal

    Last season, he was 100% accurate with the top 24 and 98% accurate with the top 50 (only one name was incorrectly listed). The entire Hollywood list was also almost 95% accurate.

  • itsalleternal

    From the sound of it, the Bikini Girl is this season’s Crazy Dave.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s interesting how people here different things. I listened to MC, not being familiar with James Morrison, and really thought there was potential.

    Oh, my assessment of his voice had nothing to do with the fact that he was singing James Morrison’s song. It just added to my negative impression, is all.

    At this point, as far as Idol is concerned, I think “having potential” is a thing of the past, unless you’re planning to build to superstardom in four months.

    I just think he’s average. That, of course, is my very limited opinion.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s interesting how people here different things. I listened to MC, not being familiar with James Morrison, and really thought there was potential. I kinda like the raspy quality to his voice and was kinda impressed since this is far from a professional recording. Of course this is jmo.

    After all the comments, I was expecting something awful, but I agree, he’s OK. He’s got a different sound from Jason. I’m interested in hearing more.

  • cheese

    I didn’t have a problem with Michael Castro singing James Morrison’s song. I had a problem with him singing the song through his nose. Oh well, at least he has good taste in music. It has to be tough for a sibling – I doubt that they would pass him through to voting rounds unless he was better than Jason (which it seems he is definitely not)

    Adam Lambert does have a pretty amazing voice (of the melodramatic type that I can only take in small doses) and he could be entertaining. I’m kind of interested in Alexander Green. He sounds good, plus, big bonus, he’s only 20 and way too young for me to become an overinvested nutjob over.

  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    Is just me or that Emily Wynne-Hughes girl looks a lot like Carly, maybe is the tatoo…

  • cookmerized

    Cheese, you cracked me up with your overinvested nut job comment. That is precisely what I have become thanks to dc, but I couldn’t have worded it better myself. Here’s to hoping that alexander green is the eldest of this year’s top 12.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    Hereà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s to hoping that alexander green is the eldest of this yearà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s top 12.

    LOL.

  • Jlyn

    Oh please, please let Adam Lambert be in the Top whatever number they are choosing this year. He looks like good TV.

  • Lisa

    My First impressions.
    Michael Castro: boy is out of tune. Just errrm no.
    Not diggin Alexander Green: his voice is kinda sing songy, fading in and out.
    Emily Wynne-Hughes: might have a halfway decent voice. I really could not tell, I could not get past all those tats. Is that a gigantic eagle that covers her whole chest? All I could think of was *Houston, The Eagle has landed*. Not attractive.
    Adam Lambert: That one is a question mark for me. Beautiful voice. His voice is almost too femmy for me between his version of Crazy & Dust in the Wind. Really pretty voice tho.
    Ann Marie Boskovich: eh.
    Jackie Mendez: Straight to my errrm no category.
    Jesse McCullagh: Who does his music remind me of (My World)? Someone from the 60′s/70′s. It will come to me. His music is very interesting, voice is just ok.
    Mishavonna Henson: Looks like a cute girl, not diggin her music.
    Felicia Barton: Beautiful voice, beautiful girl. Bet she makes the Top 12.
    Scott MacIntyre: Best male voice so far (from this thread). Another one I think will make Top 12.
    Joanna Pacitti: Gah. She might be a plant aka Carly, but did you check out her my space photo? She looked like Carly there, lol. I checked out Video 1 (it’s all I could stomach) and she sings just like Britney Spears, ugh. She did not look like Carly on that video pic.
    Kristen McNamara: Looks like a couple of the blondes from last year. Not my style. Found this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssBL7WfuGPs&feature=related
    Jacklyn à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Jackieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Tohn: Good voice. Another who might be Top 12.
    Von Lee Smith : Ugh. Another Top 12.
    Danielle à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Dannià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Roundtree: Does she really have a song called *Bitch*? LOL Not my style.
    Angela Martin: Can sing.

    From there I got bored of even looking. I did run across *I Can’t Stand the Rain* by Tasha Valentine, not bad. Kendall Beard looks like she will shoot through to Top 12 (all her music has been removed from her my space). I hope someone steps it up to impress me aka David Cook last year. I fear for me this will be like Season 6.

  • http://www.myspace.com/gwendolyndiane GwendolynD

    So far, I think Felicia Barton is my favorite.

    Hopefully, she makes Top 36 and Top 12.

    Otherwise, any of the above are welcome to surprise me.

    I do like Adam Lambert. I want him to simply sing, though.

    Still a resounding “no” to Von Lee Smith. He makes me crazy.

  • http://idolforums.com/index.php?showtopic=561466&st=0 Preston

    So I was bored and began to peruse these…

    And WOW– Von Smith has an incredible voice. Watching him isn’t always easy (kid’s gonna have to tone it down some), but his recordings on Myspace are nothing short of outstanding. Beautiful tone, enormous range, brilliant musicality, soul… I wouldn’t call myself a fan yet, but I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on him.

  • sunchick

    Oh cool, MJ, you added Adam’s YT page. So that is him. Interesting. He’ll obviously have to tone down the crotch grabbing, but I am kinda intrigued at the notion of America’s reaction to Adam in full on glam mode. Come on, show, let it happen. Kthx.

    plus, big bonus, heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s only 20 and way too young for me to become an overinvested nutjob over.

    Heh heh cheese, I feel ya. I decided to draw the line at a five year age difference, which means Cook just made the cut. I think I’m officially too old for fanwanking this season. Woo hoo.

  • movin2thabeet

    So far, listened to a couple of the links and there is some interesting, promising performers coming up this year. I absolutely love Adam Lambert. I’m amazed the guy would want to come anywhere near AI, but I think David Cook made room for way more diversity. It will be interesting to see if AI is interested in going there and if they decide to open it up even more to allow that kind of very sexual, androgynous vibe on the show. I’m sure it would be controversial – losing some of the more conservative viewers and bringing in a whole new demographic. Could be great. Could bring in some of that ‘Twilight’ craziness. I’m all for it.

  • Lisa

    After watching all 7 seasons so far for Season 8 I just want to be entertained. I don’t mean KLC, 8 Days a Week, WTFWT entertained. I would love to have a wide variety of singer’s. If they are all the Von Smith type, my eyes will start to glaze, roll back in my head, then my hands will reach for the mute/change channel almost immediately.

    Major Tom (eagle has landed girl), Adam Lambert & Felicia could could keep me somewhat entertained. I hope there are other contestants willing to go outside their own box. Stretch their bounderies, make me listen, come out every week fighting to win. Passionate. Just. Make. Me. Listen.

  • milajoy

    Last season, he was 100% accurate with the top 24 and 98% accurate with the top 50 (only one name was incorrectly listed). The entire Hollywood list was also almost 95% accurate

    I am a SHE, not a He…lol

    Joesplace

    .

  • lovegoodmusic

    So far I like John Twiford’s new age music. It’s very different and nice to listen to. He also reminds me of the male version of Enya.

    Here is a tube link.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Pm-VqdPojI

  • Lisa

    Thank you lovegoodmusic. I skipped right over him and he sounds really promising to me. More my type than the others right now.

  • cookcricket

    Checked some of these out. Adam Lambert will def be entertaining and I’m amazed by his voice! So when I ignored the crotch grabs and the dancing girls, I really liked the sound of the the Crazy vid. Also watched “Dust in the Wind”, since he looked so different I’m pretty sure it’s him, and liked. To be honest, it was sang so tenderly that I think it could have done without a vocal run (that stood out to me).

    I also really really like Alexander Green and Felicia Barton.

    Okay went to Otto Malone’s myspace to hear his voice, but found nothing. However, I did see a message on there from Jenisis Samoranos who’s listed directly below his name and part of it said, (“see you” in jan! hehe). hmmmm

    Yeah it seems they’re going for the singer/songwriter vibe this year (which I personally like). I think this year will show them breaking out of some molds, but there will still be some kind of universal appeal…Possible? We’ll see.

  • lovegoodmusic

    Your welcome Lisa and I’m glad you like it. :smile2_tb:

    You know voting is going to be very tough in the beginning stages with this new formula. And in order to keep my favorite in the game, I will only vote for one contestant each night.

    Thanks to MJ and other blogs that keep us informed because it makes it easier to get to know a bit about the contestants.

  • sonyab

    And WOWà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬’ Von Smith has an incredible voice. I wouldnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t call myself a fan yet, but Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ll definitely be keeping my eye on him.
    ==============================================
    Preston I have been a fan of Von lee smith since he was on the view singing! :)

  • itsalleternal

    Sorry milajoy, I assumed you were a guy due to the name JoesPlace that made me think you were Joe…

    Major update: Now 11 of the top 50 identified. And we might have this season’s Gina Glocksen in Angela Martin…

  • milajoy

    Okay went to Otto Maloneà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s myspace to hear his voice, but found nothing. However, I did see a message on there from Jenisis Samoranos whoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s listed directly below his name and part of it said, (à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ see youà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  in jan! hehe). hmmmm

    Thats cause se will see him on TV in Jan

  • Hazehel

    Of those I heard, these are the ones I like and I hope they get to top 12, although I suspect most of them will -

    Adam Lambert – interesting, he can do the screamy rocker thing as well as musical theatre, although seems to have personal quirk that might not look good on TV (his tongue sticks out sometimes when he sings).
    Ann Marie Boskovich – not outstanding but I find her enjoyable to listen to.
    Alexander Green – Like his voice, but might be a bit limited.
    Felicia Barton – Sounds good, might be the best amongst the girls.
    Aubrey Logan – good voice, but can get annoying.
    Von Smith – Restraint, boy, restraint.
    John Twiford – Like the voice. All three in his ex-group seem to have good voices.
    Jackie Tohn – Interesting, but not sure how well she can do.
    Tatiana Nicole Del Toro – Really like her singing style.

    Undecided on the following -
    Emily Wynne-Hughes – I like the very brief bit of Barracuda, but don’t like her songs on MySpace. Will wait and see how she does on the show.
    Mishavonna Henson – Nice voice, but also don’t like her songs.
    Lacey Brown – could be interesting.

  • sunchick

    I’m bored at work and did some more google investigating. Could this be the right Justin Williams, MJ? (Damn, seems like anyone with a halfway decent voice will have a youtube vid or twelve these days. Another Justin Williams whose voice aint all that: meh)

  • bigjr6633

    Major update: Now 11 of the top 50 identified. And we might have this seasonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s Gina Glocksen in Angela Martinà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

    Yay, I’m so excited I cant even tell you. I heard she was one of the standouts during hollywood week, so I’m keeping my fingers crossed. With contestants like her, I really wish they would’ve stuck with the top 24 format because I think it would’ve b een easier for her.

  • leome

    I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have a problem with Michael Castro singing James Morrisonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s song. I had a problem with him singing the song through his nose

    LOL Me too! That was a bit annoying. He is ok out of tune singer, not AI singer, if you ask me.

    Oh, I’m really liking Adam. I hope he makes it to the top 36. Dude has great voice, plus he entertains. Can’t ask for much more.
    I’m enjoying the different styles so far. Lets see if they keep them

  • soundscene

    I might have to mute during Von lee Smiths perfromance though.

    You and me both. Mute and potentially look away from the screen if he continues with those faces. If there’s somebody who needs to learn the value of subtlety its that dude. Just because you can do that with your voice really doesn’t mean you should. But I’ve already decided he’s going to be a great source of entertainment, so I really don’t care if he makes it to the top 12. lol.

    Joanna is good, but I still think somebody who had a top 40 Billboard Hot 100 song shouldn’t be able to qualify. I don’t make the rules, though.

    I kind of like Ryan PA Johnson if he sings like he sings on those recordings on youtube.

    ETA: I’ve also decided that Adam Lambert, who I shall now call lambchop, has seen Velvet Goldmine at least 75 times.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    ETA: Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve also decided that Adam Lambert, who I shall now call lambchop, has seen Velvet Goldmine at least 75 times.

    LOL. I just saw that movie over Christmas with my 15 year old niece who loves it.

    I just updated this post and my Top 50 list with the new info.

  • soundscene

    LOL. I just saw that movie over Christmas with my 15 year old niece who loves it.

    I had a friend who was obsessed with that movie. Hence, I myself have seen it 5 times. lol.

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t have a problem with Michael Castro singing James Morrisonà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s song. I had a problem with him singing the song through his nose.

    Bwah! But, but… nasally is a form of singing!!! (tm Chris Richardson)

    After watching all 7 seasons so far for Season 8 I just want to be entertained. I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t mean KLC, 8 Days a Week, WTFWT entertained. I would love to have a wide variety of singerà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s. If they are all the Von Smith type, my eyes will start to glaze, roll back in my head, then my hands will reach for the mute/change channel almost immediately.

    OMG, yes. This. IMO, part of the reason season 5 appealed so widely is because they had so many different types of singers. The country singers, the rocker, the throwback soul guy, the R&B guy, etc. And part of the reason season 6 got boring was because so many of the females especially all sang the same type of music. Give us choices, a variety of styles, something to appeal to everyone. From what we’re seeing so far, it does appear that there is a big variety of styles (even with the long list of singer/songwriters), and I LIKE THAT (got that 19A-Z interns who are reading?? :) ).

    Major Tom (eagle has landed girl)

    LMAO! This seriously made me burst out laughing. Good thing I wasn’t drinking anything. Heh. :)

    I hope there are other contestants willing to go outside their own box. Stretch their bounderies, make me listen, come out every week fighting to win. Passionate. Just. Make. Me. Listen.

    Amen, sistah. Speak the truth!

    Now, all of that said… I haven’t listed to every link there is (haven’t gotten to all of the new ones yet), but so far, my fave is Felicia Barton. I also like Ryan PA Johnson a lot and kinda like Alexander Green.

  • anijsch

    T.K. Hash
    I think he could be very interesting
    Terrence T.K. Hash
    Season 7 Auditions : Cities : Golden Tickets
    Age: 23
    Hometown: Concord, NC
    Audition City: Charleston (Season 7)

    And look at this
    T.K. Hash
    seems to make Christian music

    But this is interesting

  • LK08

    LOL. I just saw that movie over Christmas with my 15 year old niece who loves it.

    OK, I am now curious enough about this to go find and watch Velvet Goldmine.

  • sunchick

    ETA: Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢ve also decided that Adam Lambert, who I shall now call lambchop, has seen Velvet Goldmine at least 75 times.

    Who hasn’t? :cheese1_ee:

  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    ^Me… :(

    PS…
    It seems like IÂ ´m going to rent this movie cause I ahve no idea what you guys are talking about… Hopefully it will be in my video club or IÂ ´m screw…

  • Lisa

    I have not seen Velvet Goldmine, and now I am verra afraid to ask what the heck it is, LMAO. Do I even want to know? Be afeared Lisa, be verra afeared.

  • Lisa

    LMAO! This seriously made me burst out laughing. Good thing I wasnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t drinking anything. Heh. :)

    Remember all the fuss over Carly’s tats last year? Carly has nothing on Major Tom. Have you see all the tats that chick has? OMG. I have nothing against one or two, but can you imagine where that eagle will land when she is say 70? Skeery.

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    T.K. Hash
    I think he could be very interesting

    Thank you very much! I think we have a winnah! :) .

    I have not seen Velvet Goldmine, and now I am verra afraid to ask what the heck it is, LMAO. Do I even want to know? Be afeared Lisa, be verra afeared.

    It’s a movie made about 10 years ago…it’s a fictional account, but it’s loosely based on the early careers of David Bowie and Iggy Pop.

    I really liked it, ’cause I dig that early 70′s glam rock stuff. The music is really good, and the art direction and costumes are fabulous.

  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    Remember all the fuss over Carlyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s tats last year? Carly has nothing on Major Tom. Have you see all the tats that chick has? OMG. I have nothing against one or two, but can you imagine where that eagle will land when she is say 70? Skeery.


    In this photo
    , is that the evil step mother from Snow White???

  • leome

    Seeing now the update, I really like Jacklyn à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã…“Jackieà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬  Tohn. Her MySpace is cool, plus I’m loving the songs and the voice.

    In this photo, is that the evil step mother from Snow White???

    LMAO! It really is. And Snow White is there too.

  • milajoy

    MJ…Here’s some more detailed infor on TK Hash.

    Terrence T.K. Hash
    **Made it to the Hollywood on AI7
    Age: 23
    Hometown: Charlotte, NC
    MySpace: http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fusea…iendID=86640518
    Photo of AI7 Audition: http://www.americanidol.com/photos/?set=443&seq=59

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    Remember all the fuss over Carlyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s tats last year? Carly has nothing on Major Tom. Have you see all the tats that chick has? OMG. I have nothing against one or two, but can you imagine where that eagle will land when she is say 70? Skeery.

    *snort* OMG, I don’t even want to imagine. Skeery indeed.

    Oh and check out this big ass Candyland tat on her back. WTF?

    Seriously though… I am curious to hear her sing on the show… a bit more than the millisecond of Barracuda that we got. Not crazy about her band’s songs, so I’m curious to see what else she can do on her own.

    (P.S. Lisa, we totes need your snark svcs in chat during season 8 ;) )

    ETA: Check out the very last comment under this picture. Hmmm. http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=21269506&albumID=54366&imageID=49935218

  • Kirsten

    In this photo, is that the evil step mother from Snow White???

    Well, if she wins, Disney will already have their marketing angle…or not.

    I wonder what the AI fashion consultants are going to do with those tats. They are so many colours.

    I found it interesting that she looks so different between her “outside the arena” interview and her “audition for the four stooges” clip. Aren’t they supposed to try to look the same so that AI can give the illusion that this all occurs in one day (and that everybody sings for the judges)? That’s quite a change in look. I think I like the original look better. At least it seems to be themetically constistent. The other outfit is such a hodgepodge.

  • Lisa

    Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a movie made about 10 years agoà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a fictional account, but ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s loosely based on the early careers of David Bowie and Iggy Pop.

    I really liked it, à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢cause I dig that early 70à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s glam rock stuff. The music is really good, and the art direction and costumes are fabulous.

    Thank you MJ. I like me some Bowie so I will have to check it out. Iggy I can do without. I love good costume’s too, no matter the era.

    Oh and check out this big ass Candyland tat on her back. WTF?
    Seriously thoughà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ I am curious to hear her sing on the showà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ a bit more than the millisecond of Barracuda that we got. Not crazy about her bandà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s songs, so Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m curious to see what else she can do on her own.

    WTFIT???? Eagle on the front, Candyland on the back. That is seriously ugly. She calls her tat “Big Juicy”? Alrighty then. When she is 80 & shriveled that candy will melt right off her back & she can call it “Big Drippy”. Ah well to each his own, but do they ever think about old age when they cover their whole bodies like this?

    I have not tried to chat on here in all my years, I might have to try this year, lol

    Ut oh. Major Tom did not make Hollywood. MJ did you check out that comment on the link above?

  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    Well, if she wins, Disney will already have their marketing angleà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦or not.

    lol… I don ´t think this girl will go very far… she is way to crazy for AI…

  • http://myspace.com/girlgeek mj

    Ut oh. Major Tom did not make Hollywood. MJ did you check out that comment on the link above?

    What link? The one Sarah posted?

    ETA:

    MJ…Here’s some more detailed infor on TK Hash.

    Thanks Mila :)

    ETAA: Mila, that MySpace Link is dead…

  • ozarka

    I gotta say I thought Carly Smithson had the most impressive voice out of Season 7, but I think her tattoos scared a lot of the voters away from her. It’s a turnoff for many people.

  • http://www.myspace.com/swood1104 Sarah

    Ut oh. Major Tom did not make Hollywood. MJ did you check out that comment on the link above?

    I don’t think that means she didn’t make Hollywood… at first I thought it meant that she didn’t make top 50, but I didn’t realize that Mila already had her on the top 50 list, and Mila’s info is always super accurate. So, I’m confuzzled…

  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    I gotta say I thought Carly Smithson had the most impressive voice out of Season 7, but I think her tattoos scared a lot of the voters away from her. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a turnoff for many people.

    I disagree, Carly ´s voice was good but not the more impresive, IMHO… The point is that if the tatoos has something to do with her being voted off, she would have being gone before the top 12, IMO

  • sunchick

    Thank you MJ. I like me some Bowie so I will have to check it out. Iggy I can do without. I love good costumeà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s too, no matter the era.

    It’s definitely a visual feast for a number of reasons, three of which are Ewan McGregor (the Iggy-inspired modesty-impaired character), Jonathan Rhys Meyers (the Bowie-inspired character), and Christian Bale. It actually didn’t do really well when it was released but it developed a cult following of sorts over the years, so I was being cheeky with the “who hasn’t.” I own it, so you know… Thom Yorke of Radiohead did some of the vocals for the soundtrack.

  • Lisa

    What link? The one Sarah posted?

    Yes this one:
    http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=viewImage&friendID=21269506&albumID=54366&imageID=49935218

    I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t think that means she didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t make Hollywoodà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ at first I thought it meant that she didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t make top 50, but I didnà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t realize that Mila already had her on the top 50 list, and Milaà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s info is always super accurate. So, Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m confuzzledà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦

    I’m confused now also. It sounded to me like she did not make it either from that comment.

  • itsalleternal

    I do think we have a good amount of variety so far (although we may be a bit short on the country side, that is overloaded in the industry these days).

  • CathyMK

    Is it too late for me to ask Santa to make sure Adam makes it to the Top 36? I so want to see Simon and Adam together. I’m thinking he’s a Danny Noriega who can actually sing! (Haven’t seen Velvet Goldmine yet, but Netflix has it in their instant play list, so I’ll be watching it in a little while- with Jonathan Rhys Meyers playing Bowie, how can you go wrong?)

    Looks like Major Tom has a few facial piercings along with the tattoos. Have there been any contestants with lip and nose rings before? Interesting that some of the people who look the most out-there, that you’d think would just be there for their colorful personalities, are also actually talented. Maybe David Cook’s red faux-hawk and argyle sweater showed them they could have the best of both worlds?

  • Grammie Kari

    I would hope none of the plants make it to the Top Ten and the concert tour. Of course, that is wishing for too much.

  • cookcricket

    (although we may be a bit short on the country side, that is overloaded in the industry these days).

    IDK, I was kinda surprised to see at least three with the possible country vibe. Wasn’t KLC the only one of the top 24 with it last year(?), and look what happened with her.

    Maybe someone has said this and if so I’m sorry to repeat it.

  • cookcricket

    Is it too late for me to ask Santa to make sure Adam makes it to the Top 36? I so want to see Simon and Adam together. Ià ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢m thinking heà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a Danny Noriega who can actually sing!

    My thoughts exactly! Sooo, if he makes the top 36 perhaps he’ll make it farther than Danny. So Adam be who you are, but be smart, okay? You truly have a vocal gift.

  • Lisa

    Oooo I like Justin Williams. Gorgeous voice, of course he is singing one of my fave songs (out of my 103 trillion faves). Hope he can do more than ballads. *Sigh* Cook spoiled me.

    About Major Tom, I know “Big Juicy” is going to give me nightmares. I just don’t know if they will be because of the tats or the name, lol.

    I don’t believe tats are why Carly was booted. I think it was a number of things but one of the main ones is people were more investetd in the boys last year. Carly has a beautiful voice & is really pretty in person, nice too!

  • hardkandy

    I gotta say I thought Carly Smithson had the most impressive voice out of Season 7, but I think her tattoos scared a lot of the voters away from her. Ità ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s a turnoff for many people.

    Disagreed. I still don’t get the fuss about Carly’s voice to the extent that some people call her the best voice ever to be on AI. I really don’t get it. I guess coz I live in the Philippines (where that kid singer Charice comes from) and almost every female singer here has a wider and more impressive range than Carly.

    When I watch AI, I don’t look for those glory-noting types anymore, but those with really distinct voices – that’s what impresses me. And in the subject of glory-notes, I think DC, DA and Syesha hit those high notes better than Carly anyway… Carly’s high notes sounds like she’s in agony more than in power.

    Her tattoos may have been a factor but I think it’s more on poor song choices and not having a definitive style. Also, she doesn’t have much charisma even without the tattoos.

  • bigjr6633

    Hardkandy, I completely agree with everything you said. The fuss over Carly was ridiculous, she may have had the strongest voice out of the girls, but there was maybe 1 or 2 times where she picked the right song to suit her voice, sung the hell out of it and gave a really good performance. The tattoos really had nothing to do with her getting voted out, her last performance she had before she got voted out was good, but it was too little too late. Now people do not hate me for this, but Syesha deserved to be the last woman standing over Carly. I actually felt something when Syesha was singing unlike Carly.

  • anijsch

    I wonder if Taylor Swifts success has something to do with it that they even go more on this singer/ songwriter route.

  • http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/profile.php?id=587900002&ref=name cruzceleste

    When I watch AI, I donà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢t look for those glory-noting types anymore, but those with really distinct voices – thatà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s what impresses me. And in the subject of glory-notes, I think DC, DA and Syesha hit those high notes better than Carly anywayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬ ¦ Carlyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s high notes sounds like sheà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â€ž ¢s in agony more than in power.

    I agree and thats was one of the reason what it hurts me when she did Bring Me To Life in tour… just no…

    Well I really don ´t think that this girl will go far in AI, but is because she is way over the top… like it or not AI is a family program they will want something more family friendly… same goes for Adam, unless he tone down a bit the act he will be in trouble to obtain the more concervative people vote… I think he can do some Mika, he is doing great with all hte androgeny act…

  • gingerly

    For me, none of anybody’s earlier stuff matters. What matters to me is how they perform on the show and how they stack up against the others. I’ve listened to about 6 or 8 of the rumored contestants’ earlier stuff and some of it I like and some I don’t. I just want to see how they play the Idol game. In 6 years (didn’t see season 5) of watching Idol, there’s only one who got me invested enough to vote let alone stick around after the season. I’ve always had favorites, but they are just people on a reality show. Season 7 changed that, and I’m wondering if I will go back to my old ways or have a need to find somebody to invest in…time will tell. In any event, I’m not looking to invest yet.

  • http://stores.ebay.com/BookWomanBlues-Book-Nook Bobbi

    To me, a large part of Carly’s problem was that her desperation showed blatantly and more so with each week. On top of that, the closeups on TV didn’t favor her because more often than not she looked as if she was snarling at the audience as she sang.

    I understand AI is going for a younger demographic, but I don’t think the parents of those tweens would be really comfortable with someone way over the top as an “idol” for their kids. These singers need to appeal to a much wider audience to make it on the show than just the kids that might be their future audience. That’s part of the reason that some of the themes need to be centered on older music. But not all of them and not as narrowly as they did last year! Anyway, I think some of these potential contestants will not appeal to the kind of wide range of people they need to to win.

  • joydrop

    Well… looks like this season should be interesting. I saw Go Betty Go about 3 years ago and they were terrible, to put it nicely.