Time to predict Idol's Top 12

by Liz Finn-Arnold, posted Feb 15th 2007 4:22PM
Top 24Now that we have a complete list of American Idol's Top 24, it's time to try to predict who will make the Top 12. I'll admit it's a bit early to make educated predictions. After all, how do we judge contestants we've never seen sing?

Honestly, this initial list is really just a compilation based on "gut feelings" or "first impressions." Let's face it, we're totally judging books by their covers.

I feel sorry for those contestants (like last year's Melissa McGhee), who once again lacked exposure early on and thus are fighting an uphill battle against some of their higher profile competitors. But truth is that America is going to vote for contestants with personality. If you didn't stand out and make an impression early -- chances are, you aren't going to. Reality TV is all about creating likable, loveable, interesting, quirky, and entertaining characters. And you can't just have talent, you need to play the game.

Right now, a lot of people already love the always-witty Chris Sligh, but are saying "Who the heck is Stephanie Edwards?" Hopefully, after everyone has had a chance to sing next week, we'll be able to make a more educated prediction of the Top 10. But for now, let's have a little fun.

My predictions for Top 12 (in no apparent order):

1. Gina Glocksen
2. Melinda Doolittle
3. Alaina Alexander
4. Lakisha Jones
5. Stephanie Edwards
6. Nicole Tranquila
7. Chris Sligh
8. Sundance Head
9. Sanjaya Malakar
10. Rudy Cardenas
11. Brandon Rogers
12. Paul Kim

Regarding the girls: Gina seems to have the strongest personality right now for the girls, and I think she'll hold her own in the next couple of weeks. Even though we haven't really met Nicole, I'm putting her on my list anyway to mix things up. I think Antonella may have been "overexposed" and negative backlash will send her home early. Especially since many of her performances have seemed "shaky" at best, and I'm not sure she'll keep up once competition begins. I think Alaina and Haley are interchangeable in this slot. They will appeal to a certain segment of the audience, just not me. There's something about Jordin Sparks I simply like. And I obviously only saw two seconds of Leslie "dimples' Hunt, Sabrina Sloan, and Amy Krebs, but nothing immediately grabbed my attention. Stephanie reminded me of Fantasia, so she could make a lasting impression next week.

Regarding the boys: I'm actually frustrated that some of the guys have advanced because I've been unimpressed with their generic personalities and performances. The ones I won't miss include, Chris, Nick, or Phil. I can't really judge A.J. or Jared, but I'm keeping them off my list for now. Chris and Sundance are sure things. Brandon has failed to impress me singing-wise, but he's very photogenic and likable. Sanjaya and Paul certainly stand out in the crowd enough to get them to the Top 12, even though they may not last long once they get there. And Rudy could really surprise us. Finally, Blake has seemed like a novelty act this whole time with his "beatboxing." I don't think he's advancing much farther.

That's my list. I'm probably wrong. I usually am. I have no idea how America is going to vote. And my crystal ball is broken. It's way too early to determine who is going to come out of the gates strong or become America's next sweetheart. For now, it's just fun to guess.

What do you think? List your Top 12 in the comments section. And let's try to play nice. No need to bash each other in the comments because we have different lists and different preferences.

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Jason

Top 12:
1. Lakisha Jones- one of the few locks.amazing in "Youre Gonna Love Me."
2. Melinda Doolittle- may be outshone by Lakisha's singing but has the better personality. lock.
3. Jordin Sparks- cute, fun, amazing power and range. very poised. lock.
4. Stephanie Edwards. diva with some conviction. nice voice.
5. Sabrina Sloan- a surprise here but her performance at top 24 was amazing. similar to Christina Aguilera in style and sound but im worried that her performance might have been a one and only.
6. Gina Glocksen- pretty good voice. kind of arrogant i think. tries to hard to be commercial and likable.

7. Brandon Rogers- i think he still hasnt shown us his best. he knows what hes doing up there. lock.
8. Blake Lewis- unique, fun and confident. i think he might be the most successful male this year. lock.
9. Chris Sligh- funny, but that might get old. not a huge fan of his voice its a little to deep and...cant describe it. lock.
10. Chris Richardson- was one of the voices i liked the best out of the guys but that casual suit and moves at top 24 made his like-Justin image grow. but he'll get the female vote. lock.
11. Sanjaya Malakar- only because he already has such a big fan base- he was in top 4 of voting the first week!? i think he might crumble under pressure and get shaky but we'll see.
12. Sundance Head- i really dont personally care that much about him but he is appealing in his style and individuality. hes a purebred through his father and he knows what to do. he can sing pretty well too so he has potential.

February 26 2007 at 8:22 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
IDIOL FAN

AJ TABALDO THE TOP 12
WAS A GREAT PERFORMANCE YEAH
OUR VOTES ARE IN WE WILL KEEP VOTING

February 22 2007 at 4:47 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
IDIOL FAN

AJ TABALDO YOU WERE GREAT
KEEP SINGING YOUR AWESOME

February 22 2007 at 4:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
IDIOL FAN

ANTONELLA MY GOD SHE NEEDS TO GO HOME SHE CANT SING AT ALL IT SHOULD BE BASE ON SINGING NOT LOOKS ITS AMERICAN IDOL NOT AMERICAS TOP MODEL!!!
I STILL DONT KNOW WHAT GOT HER THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE.. SHES A FLIRT WITH ALL THE GUYS AND HER VOICE WAS AWFUL EVERYONE LAUGH SORRY ANTONELLA PACK YOUR BAGS YOUR AWFUL..
MY VOTE GOES TO LAKISHA JONES MY FAVORITE SHE CAN SING SHE IS REAL NOT FAKE AT ALL NOW SEE THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.. IN THAT HHMMM...

February 22 2007 at 4:41 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
IDIOL FAN

WHATS WITH THAT IDIOL GUY SANJAR MAKALAR HE LOOKS LIKE NACHO LIBRE THE GUY THE SKELTON WRESTLOR
IN THE MOVIE!!!! IM SERIOUS
THE FAR BEST IS AJ TABALDO HE WAS AWESOME
NEVER TOO MUCH HE WINS MY VOTE...
HE TAKES THE TOP 12

February 22 2007 at 4:33 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Andrea

This is my pick for the TOP 12 and this is in order of who I think is best or most like to suceed

Brandon Rogers
Chris Richardson
Phil Stacey
Blake Lewis
Nick Pedro
A.J. Tabaldo


Lakisha Jones
Jordin Sparks
Gina Glocksen
Melinda Doolittle
Sabrina Sloun
Haley Scarnato

February 21 2007 at 11:38 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
matt

my sister knows chris sligh personally. he was he "brother cabin" counselor at camp. my friend at church went to school with him and knows him very well. He worked at the the Wilds Christian Camp as a counselor there. Its sad to see how he's turned out. God could have really used him.

February 21 2007 at 11:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
missa

srry i had a lot of mistakes in my last comment so here u go i love Sanjaya Malakarso hes here. hes the only one i really know the name of so ill tell u who wins! see i get hooked on one person from the beinging and untill the top 12 i only know there name so ya!

February 21 2007 at 11:11 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
nasreen

Blake lewis sooooooo deserves 2 win not only is he super hott!!!!! he is talented!!!! who doesn't luv a beat boxer?

February 21 2007 at 10:39 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Mitch

My predictions for top 12......

Blake Lewis-----Fav Guy
Chris Richardson
Chris Sligh
Paul Kim
Phil Stacey
AJ Tabaldo
Melinda Doolittle------My Fav Girl and Overall Fav
Jordin Sparks
Gina Glockson
Stephanie Edwards
Lakisha Jones
Alaina Alexander

February 21 2007 at 10:35 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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