This year Hollywood week was a bit different. First, it seemed like a huge number of people— over 160. Second, no group singing and no one went home the first day. This is how it worked. The first two days everyone sang a solo, with an instrument if they liked, which was also a change. If they were good enough, they automatically went through to the final day. If not, they were given a second chance to sing on the third day. On that day, they would line people up in groups of ten, allow each to sing about 30 seconds and then after everyone sang, they were either put through to the last day or sent home. On the final day, everyone left sang a song with the band and backup singers. They were then either put through to the final decision making process or sent home. 48 singers earned free passes to the final round. Over 100 people were cut before it was all over. And then they had to narrow it down to 24.
Here’s the quick rundown of the cuts we were shown on the final day (I think there were a few that they didn’t show, as well).
Ronald Hodge
Nina Shaw
Mycale Guyton
Lisa Aukerman
Brandon Green
Amanda Hawkins
Buck Smith
Shaun Barrowes
Lorena Pinot
Drew Poppelreiter (Awwww…)
Natasha Blach
Josiah Leming (He didn’t sing his last song with the band, and I think that was his undoing, unfortunately.)
Kyle Ensley (Simon really fought for him to stay in it, but Randy and Paula thought he was boring.)
Cardin McKinney
And HERE are the TOP 24!
Girls
1. Carly Smithson
2. Amanda Overmyer
3. Kristy Lee Cook
4. Brooke White
5. Alexandrea Lushington
6. Ramiele Malubay
7. Syesha Mercado
8. Kady Malloy
9. Amy Davis
10. Alaina Whitaker
11. Asia’h Epperson
12. Joanne Borgella
Boys
1. David Cook
2. David Archuleta
3. Danny Noriega
4. Jason Castro
5. Luke Menard
6. Michael Johns
7. Robbie Carrico
8. Garrett Haley
9. Chakezie Eze
10. Jason Yeager
11. David Hernandez
12. Colton Berry
So, that’s the American Idol 7 Top 24! See you next week for the beginning of America’s voting. Who will be the first to go?
