American Idol 7: Who Made the Top 24?

It was 7:30am in Hollywood and the American Idol contestants were eating breakfast and preparing themselves for the final judging that was to come in a few hours. Among them, only 12 females and 12 males would make it further in the competition.

I poured a tall glass of tea, opened a bag of white cheddar popcorn, and plopped down on the couch in front of the TV to watch tonight's final decisions. Here's how it turned out.

Randy, Paula, and Simon were still debating their choices! They were having trouble deciding and totally agreeing on who to put through and who to turn away. Randy and Paula liked one person while Simon didn't. On the other hand, Randy and Paula did not like one contestant while Simon thought that certain individual could become American Idol without a doubt. Even after the final decisions, Simon was still not happy with some of the choices.

Finally, at 9am the judges were ready, and the contestants showed up to hear the list.

For this part, the contestants wait in a room together and when called, each contestant goes up an elevator to the next floor and walks to the judges desk for the result. They take a seat in front of the judges as the three of them tell the contestant if he/she made it or if he/she is going home.

First up is Ronald Hodge. He is told no, but to work on things and try again.

The "no's" kept spreading until the judges got to Carly Smithson (who auditioned in Season 5 but was forced out because her visa did not come through). Paula tries to explain to a nervous and crying Carly that she is a great singer, but she needs to get rid of her doubts. The three judges finally reveal that they are putting her into this competition.

David Cook's guitar playing yesterday in Hollywood did not impress the judges. However, tonight, the judges told him he had made it.

Rocker Amanda Overmyer stands out with her Janice Joplin-like voice. Paula wonders if American Idol is the right place for her, and obviously it is because she was put through.

David Archuleto is only 16, and Simon tells him that they worry about such young people being in this competition and being able to handle the pressures and such that go along with it. The judges unanimously said that he was a very talented singer and would continue.

Up next is Kristy Lee Cook. She did not perform well last night. The judges told her she fell apart and that things will just get harder. However, they like her, and she made it.

Brooke White, who played the keyboard last night and messed up, goes upstairs next. Simon asks her what her future may hold if they tell her no. Randy tells her that she's going to be seeing a lot more of them because she had made it.

Danny Noriega also made it along with Jason Castro, Luke Menard, Alexandrea Lushington, and Ramiel Malubay.

Shaun Barrows did not make it. Lorena Pinot did not make it. Drew Poppelreiter did not make it either, but he told the judges he wasn't upset because now he wouldn't miss turkey season.

Michael Johns tries to stay calm. He sang Bohemian Rhapsody last night and did a great job. The judges decided that he would be continuing.

The show continued with Syesha Mercado. Syesha had suffered hoarseness and lost her voice on day one in Hollywood. Last night she was still hoarse and didn't quite sing to her full potential. Paula informs her that the word "yes" is spelt out in her name, and that she is indeed put through.

Rocker Robbie Carrico was put through with Randy and Simon's vote.

At 5pm there was still a room full of young singers who were a nervous wreck, waiting and praying they would be accepted.

Garrett Haley made it, as did Kady Malloy, Chikezie Eze, Amy Davis, Alaina Whitaker, and Jason Yaegar.

Asia'h Epperson's dad passed away a day before her audition, and she uses him as her inspiration and strength in this adventure. Paula reveals that she is safe.

David Hernandez was voted to continue by 2 of the 3 judges. Simon had said no and told him he needs to work a lot harder if he wants to win.

Josiah Leming, the young guy who has been living in his car, did not have a good Hollywood performance due to overconfidence as Simon put it. In the judges' room, Randy tells him they loved his first audition, but Hollywood wasn't good for him. Thus, the judges decided not to keep him.

There are now only 2 spots left and 4 contestants left in the room. Colton Berry and Kyle Ensley went into the judging room together. Colton got sent through, and Kyle was sent home. Simon spoke up and told Kyle that he strongly disagreed with the decision and that he wished he would have been sent through instead. He thinks people would have enjoyed Kyle more.

Joanne, a NY plus-size model, and Cardin McKinney, a professional musician, are the only two left to be judged. Joanne made it through. Paula suggests to Cardin that she try again next year. Simon, afraid of a cat fight, asks if they are okay to go in the elevator together.

The top 24 finalists will start up again next week, and that means we, the fans, get to start voting for our favorites again.

I have to admit that I was disappointed that Kyle and Josiah were not put through. I actually liked them. Of the 24 that made it, I think I like Syesha and Carly at this point. I can't wait to see how they all do next week.