American Idol Season 9 Top 24 Revealed

The American Idol producers managed to stretch what would have been a long one hour show into three long hours over two nights on FOX. Idol judges sat in chairs on the stage of the Kodak Theater in Hollywood as the AI Season 9 hopefuls plodded down the long aisle to face their fates. It was clear right from the start that if new judge Ellen Degeneres was the one giving your progress report, you were heading on in the competition. I still think she will give fair reviews of performances, at least I hope so.

Getting right to it, here is your list of the American Idol Season 9 top 24 contestants:

American Idol Season 9 Top 12 Women:
Didi Benami
Katelyn Epperly
Janell Wheeler
Lacey Brown
Ashley Rodriguez
Crystal Bowersox
Katie Stevens
Lilly Scott
Paige Miles
Siobhan Magnus
Michelle Delamor
Haeley Vaughn

American Idol Top 12 Men:
Michael Lynche
Casey James
Aaron Kelly
Lee DeWyze
Todrick Hall
Tyler Grady
Alex Lambert
Joe Munez
Jermaine Sellers
John Park
Tim Urban
Andrew Garcia

The female voices for AI Season 9 seem particularly strong. I'm excited to hear more from Crystal Bowersox and Didi Benami. All of the female Idol top 12 have their own look and style. This should be a great season for all of them. There are a few weak girls, and there may be more after next week when they finally face off live.

The male voices of AI Season 9 are strong, but I think there are some real standouts. Todrick Hall, Andrew Garcia and Casey James are my favorites before the live singing even starts. I like Michael "Big Mike" Lynche too, but there are Internet rumors of his replacement due to contractual issues. There are also rumors that he has already signed a singing contract with another record company. Sounds like Mike Lynche will be fine with or without American Idol.

There are very few voices in Season 9 that we have not heard. Alex Lambert is still a mystery, though he's been highlighted in passing here and there. He either has an incredible voice or has had a normal life with no extraordinary circumstances... in other words, he's one of us. Siobhan Magnus has been carefully hidden from us for most of the auditioning process. What has been heard from her is incredible.

Next Tuesday the women take the stage to face each other singing live. Song choice is always critical on AI, especially in the first week when no one knows the performers yet. The men take the Idol stage next Wednesday night.