Bunny: After taking a few days to recover from audition overload, we wanted to take a few minutes and recap our favorites going into Hollywood week. Having picked Carrie Underwood to win in Season 4 based on only the audition shows (I told you I wouldn’t let you forget), I am hoping to prove that my superior talent-evaluation powers are still finely honed.
Burke: *coughs into elbow*fluke*cough*
Bunny: Sigh. Inside, I agree. Still, here are a few contestants who stand out in my mind at this point, chosen from among those I singled out in each audition recap. Bear in mind, I have not read any spoilers on the web or elsewhere about who supposedly have made the top 24. I’m not saying I don’t read Idol message boards and blogs, because I do (after I’ve written my own recaps), but I don’t read “spoiler” threads that claim to have early info on the contenders.
Angela Martin
Audition city: Philadelphia
As I noted in the Philly recap, I think Angela has a great combination of talent, beauty, and a sympathetic backstory. Fair or not, the influence of the latter cannot be ignored completely. However, I have faith that Angela can “de-wedding-ize” her performances and impress the judges and America.
Alaina Whitaker
Audition city: Dallas
The inevitable Carrie Underwood comparisons could hurt her, but I think Alaina has the chops to make it. She’s young, but that didn’t hurt Jordin Sparks. Here’s hoping we hear lots more of her powerful voice.
Perrie Cataldo
Audition city: San Diego
My notes on Perrie and San Diego as a whole are sketchy, but his name has stuck with me, probably for a reason, and he’s one of the few men who really stood out for me.
Rachael Wicker
Audition city: Omaha
The unanimousness (is that a word? Unanimosity? No, that sounds bad) of her going-to-Hollywood vote was ruined by Simon, and I usually agree with our favorite wardrobe-challenged judge. But in view of the fact that he has said no to other contestants who have gone on to prove him wrong to varying degrees, I don’t hesitate to go out on a limb and say I like Rachael’s chances, as long as she learns not to overdo the little yodel in her voice. She’s unique.
Robbie Carrico
Audition city: Miami
What struck me most about Robbie is his naturalness; it didn’t feel like he was trying too hard to impress, and his singing seemed effortless. That’s an extremely important quality, in my opinion.
Ramiele Malubay
Audition city: Miami
The fact that she could do justice to an Aretha song says a lot about this dynamo. If she can catch even part of the wave of popularity enjoyed by Jasmine Trias, she’s got the talent to back it up.
Syesha Mercado
Audition city: Miami
Syesha’s confident rendition of “Think” has made her a definite contender in my mind. I have a feeling we’ll be hearing a lot more of her clear, compelling voice.
Natashia Blach
Audition city: Miami
Maybe the reason Natashia sticks in my mind is the fact that she sang one of my favorite songs (“At Last,” admittedly an overdone song on American Idol), but my notes show that I really liked her voice, and I usually didn’t write that unless the contestant really made an impression on me. While I wouldn’t pick her to win the whole thing, I think she’ll make it to the top 24.
Cardin Lee McKinney
Audition city: unknown (Best of the Rest episode)
I’m hearing that there are a lot of Cardin fans out there, and deservedly so. I liked her attitude during the audition and she’s got lots of talent and a good Idol “look.” She’s another one who got a No from Simon, but I think she’ll learn from the judges’ appraisals and keep improving.
Obviously, I was the most impressed by Miami, and not so much by Charleston or Atlanta, although it’s possible Cardin auditioned in one of these cities.
Burke: Not a lot of them stood out to me, and unfortunately, I don’t have the time to write out details right now, but here are a few who did stick in my memory:
Kristy Lee Cook
Audition city: Philadelphia
Brooke White
Audition city: Philadelphia
London Weidberg
Audition city: Charleston
Suzanne Toon
Audition city: Miami
Brooke Helvie
Audition city: Atlanta
Joanne Borgella
Audition city: Unknown (Best of the Rest episode)
Bunny: My overall pick to win—just for the fun of it—is ROBBIE CARRICO. I’m not saying he’s my favorite, because he isn’t (it’s far too early for me to choose a favorite anyway), but I did like him, and I have to pick somebody.
Burke: My overall pick is BROOKE WHITE.
Prognosticats: The felines' favorite is NATASHIA BLACH.
Bunny: If you'd like to go on record here with your pick to win, feel free to leave a comment! We'd be interested in why you made your choice, if you care to share. (Please keep it polite. There are places on the Internet for heedless contestant-bashing. This isn't one of them.) Thank you for reading Predict Idol, and come back and check in with us again!
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Interesting reviews. I like the idea of the “Idle” predictions. I’ll be back to see how everyone fares.