With the eliminations over, it was time for the next phase of competition for the American Idol hopefuls. With back up singers, a full band and a live audience to complete the set up, the twenty-four aspirants showed us the stuff they’re made of in two nights of competition, culminating with the announcement of the first four casualties for this phase. I wasn’t really surprised with the results. Those four, namely Colton Berry, Garrett Haley, Joanne Borgella and Amy Davis, gave dismal performances on a night when the mediocre outnumbered the outstanding. For a group touted to be the best yet in the show’s history, many (as I) were under whelmed. Maybe it was just the jitters, or maybe it was the weather. Let’s hope they’ll recover for next week’s edition otherwise,
it would be very easy for us viewers to pick the finalists.

Despite a night (two nights actually) of disappointments, some were clearly above the rest in terms of performance and appeal. And foremost on the list is 17-year-old David Archuleta. Barring any mishap in the coming weeks, I think he is already a shoo in for the finals. Simon was right with what he said in the elimination round. David has everything going for him, his youthfulness, a very good voice and great looks. And judging from the comments I’ve read in the forums and the attention he gets from the media, he is the clear front-runner this season. Asia’h Epperson is another one to look out for this season. Besides having excellent vocals, she has that heartstring-tugging back-story that'll garner massive voter sympathy (her father died two days before her audition).

Another one is Ramiele Malubay. And I’m not saying this because she is Pinoy, but she really made us proud last night. She was superb, and her vocal tone and quality were the best. She gave a controlled rendition of a song that could have easily been overdone. She did not have to shout and scream like Syesha and Carly to sound great. She will definitely sail on to the Final 12 and I will not be surprised if she will end up in at least the final 6. She has also managed to turn Simon into a believer! I went to a lot of American Idol discussion groups and Ramiele made a lot of fans, including Lindsey Parker of the music blog Reality Rocks:

Ramiele Malubay is a CLOSE second for me. I flip-flopped repeatedly between Ramiele and Brooke before I made my ultimate decision. I'm continually surprised by how her LaKisha Jones-sized voice emanates from her itty-bitty Polly Pocket body, and she's got so much X-factor oozing out of her near-invisible perfect pores than there's NO way she's not making it to the final 12. But I have one thing to say about Ramiele: Stop comparing her to Jasmine Trias, people! That's almost downright racist. Yes, she's Asian. So was Jasmine. So what? The resemblance ends there. Jasmine could barely sing and only made it as far as she did because of the Hawaii vote. (Hawaii's in a whole other time zone, see--which means fewer clogged phone lines!) Jasmine's most distinguishing feature, honestly, was that flower in her hair. Well, Ramiele's got even cooler hair (Danny Noriega must be jealous), and her voice is a killer. If this girl gets voted off early, it'll be up there with other Idol shockers like Tamyragate, Constantinegate, Daughtrygate, and Josiahgate.

These three are my picks as the American Idol 7 front-runners this season. They have the talent and the appeal to make it. I just hope that they’ll be consistent with their performances and choice of songs.

Update: The wait is over! American Idol season 8 is here! Watch the 2009 American Idol 8 premiere, aka American Idol season 8 premiere 2009, and see the auditions for new talents this year.

The American Idol 8 premiere has been invaded by Katrina Darrell, the American Idol 8 bikini girl, also known as the 2009 American Idol bikini audition. And see Kara DioGuardi, the new judge, in action.

american idol 7: the front-runners

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