Alexis Grace, American Idol's Season 8 Front Runner into the Final 12

Alexis Grace's rendition of Aretha Franklin's "Never Loved a Man, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTnSH6V8TDs&feature=related)" helped vault the diminutive singer from Memphis Tennessee into American Idol's Final 12 for Season 8. The 20 year old mom, who tried to "dirty" up her looks after Idol judges had complained a bit about her girl next door looks, impressed the judges with her soulful rendition of the song. Grace, who according to www.poptower.com took up singing at the age of seven, did what few other contestants were able to do this past week, which was take on the song of an iconic singer like Franklin and makie it her own.

Unlike Alexis, Casey Carlson the Minnesota singer, with the model-like good looks, failed miserably with her attempt at the Police's "Every Little Thing She Does is Magic. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hclhe9q8eaw)." Joining Carlson in the role of contestants that took on a song not really made for them, was teenage singer Stevie Wright, (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqZ-peIOE48&feature=related) who's version of Taylor Swift's You "Belong to Me," failed to score with the judges.

In the end, Grace tallied up the most votes of the first 12 contestants vying for a final spot, which will place a nice bull's eye on the singer when Idol finally gets down to its final 12 contestants . Though early yet, Alexis Grace's press kit photograph have started to pop up on e-Bay (http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=Alexis+Grace).

Joining Grace in the Final 12 will be Danny Gokey, who has been a favorite of the judges from the star. Gokey who has overcome the recent tragic lost of his wife, scored well with Mariah Carey's "Hero" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKqGOCqt8aI).

Gone though is Season 8's reigning drama queen Tatiana Del Toro. The ever dramatic Del Toro however, held her own while singing "Saving All My Best for You" (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pOyLfDHJbc). Though she got the judges approval for her effort, her early antics on the show was enough to turn off Idol fan's who fail to include her in the top 3 for the night. Instead, the third and final spot went to "Roughneck" Michael Sarver. Though energetic on stage, Sarver was far from impressive, and move on, on the strength of his personality and appeal.

Still the night belong to Alexis Grace, whose promising start drew comparisons to Idol's first winner Kelly Clarkson; a comparison which will come with sky high expectations next time she takes the stage.