Seven of the Top 24 contestants on “American Idol” were revealed last night on the show. So far the spoiler sites, which listed the rumored Top 24, are spot on. All seven of the contestants were on the list, which has been floating around the Internet for over a month. Today, I take look at the seven contestants – who they are, where they came from and what they have done.
Aaron Kelly
Age: 16
Hometown: Sonestown, Penn. (a small town smack in the middle of Pennsylvania)
Aaron is currently a senior at Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School, which means he goes to high school online. On his official MySpace page, Aaron wrote, “I attend cyber school and I love it because it allows me to work at my own pace, which means I can work ahead.” Aaron has quite the musical background. He’s a country singer at heart who has won over 30 local singing competitions. He also has some early ties to “American Idol.” When Aaron was 14, he attended “American Idol” camp, where aspiring contestants who don’t meet the required age limit of 16 get a performing arts type summer camp experience. Aaron also went down to Orlando and hit up the “American Idol Experience” at Disney World (which by the way, I hosted the opening of last year) where he won a front of the line pass to the “American Idol” auditions by winning that day’s final competition.
Check out Aaron’s personal Web site HERE
Michael Lynche
Age: 26
Hometown: Astoria, N.Y.
Michael is lucky to have made it to the Top 24. His dad accidentally leaked the info to the media, that he had made the list, last month and there were rumors Michael had been cut for this reason. Michael is originally from St. Petersburg, Florida and played football at the University of Central Florida. He currently works as a personal trainer. Michael is the second person in his family to make it to the semi-finals on “American Idol.” His brother, Marque Lynche Jr., was a Top 32 contestant in 2004 (the year that Fantasia Barrino won). Michael describes himself on his YouTube channel as, “A new hop artist best described as a cross between Gnarls Barkley, Outkast and R. Kelly. Part soul machine, part booty shaker, part baby maker. His high-energy sound is called the “Dirty Blues” where gritty southern soul meets dirty south hip-hop.”
Check out Michael’s MySpace page HERE
Didi Benami
Age: 23
Hometown: Knoxville, Tenn.
Didi was the girl who surprised Kara DioGuardi by singing a tune she had co-written, which had never been released as a single. She learned it by watching Kara perform the song on YouTube. She currently lives in Hollywood. Her real first named is Vered – which means “rose” in Hebrew. She got her nickname Didi from her sister. She credits a friend from college, who died in a car accident, as the one who inspired her to pursue her music career in Los Angeles.
Check out more on Didi HERE
Lee Dewyze
Age: 23
Hometown: Mount Prospect, Ill.
Lee has a band appropriately title “The Lee Dewyze band” which has been performing in clubs all over Chicago. During his interview, after he received his golden ticket to Hollywood, Lee revealed he was kicked out of high school but that’s “not who he is now.” He says he was inspired to audition for “American Idol” after he saw Kris Allen performing “Apologize” last season.
Check out Lee’s band Web site HERE
Katelyn Epperly
Age: 19
Hometown: West Des Moines, Iowa
Katelyn has been singing since the age of 2. She sings lead vocals for a folk rock band called “Katelyn & The Bruises.” In 2004, she played Dorothy in a production of “The Wizard of Oz” at the Des Moines Playhouse.
Check out Katelyn & The Bruisers’ MySpace page HERE
Todrick Hall
Age: 24
Hometown: Arlington, Texas
On his MySpace page, Todrick describes himself as an actor, singer and dancer. He travelled the United States performing on cruise ships and worked as performer at Disney World. He also worked on Broadway alongside Fantasia Barrino in Oprah Winfrey’s “The Color Purple.” According to the Web site votefortheworst.com, there may be some controversy brewing now that Todrick has made it to the Top 24 over a show he created called “Oz The Musical.” Check out the story HERE
Check out Todrick’s MySpace page HERE
Casey James
Age: 27
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas
Casey says his mother is the one who persuaded him to audition for “American Idol.” Casey also has a controversial past as well. Apparently, he has a criminal record. According to Radar Online, he has served time in county jail for driving while intoxicated, driving without a valid license and reckless driving. Also, if you Google Casey James you will be in for a rude awakening. Apparently, there is a porn star with the same name.
More on Casey’s troubles HERE
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