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Inside The 'Idol' Top 13 Party
Another year, another party celebrating the "American Idol" finalists. This one felt different though and not just because it would be a top 13 instead of 12. It felt different because of the contestants. This is by far the coolest, sweetest, most honest batch I have ever met. I like this new format and I'm so thrilled that the voters weeded out the marginal singers, boring contestants or just plain annoying ones (yes, I mean you, Tatiana).
I was a little perturbed that the entertainment shows (ours included) chose to focus on the Paula Abdul/Kara DioGuardi feud story from last week in their TV pieces. Hello, that's old news by now. I know you guys want to know about these contestants. I met nine of them, in pairs of three, over the last two weeks, as they were put through to the Top 13 and I found them for the most part to be pretty cool. It was interesting to get some one-on-one time with each person. I felt like it gave me a good sense of their true personalities. Here are my thoughts on everyone -- so far not a diva or dud in the bunch. Believe me, in the past I have not been able to say that. Make sure to check out the interviews on our site, but here's my rundown --
Scott MacIntyre - Absolutely one of the sweetest people I have ever met. He just oozes a calm, serene, easygoing vibe. You can't help but fall in love with him. I think when you meet him, you instantly get this sense that you want to take care of him. He says he can't wait to get his grand piano on the "Idol" stage.
Anoop Desai - He's an everyman type of person. You feel like he's someone you went to college or high school with and he was the guy that was friends with everyone. Sort of a sad irony that on the anniversary of the day his college friend Eve Carson died and his school was having a memorial for her, he was picked to be a finalist. He said he watched the memorial via a live stream online. Oh, and he loves being called Anoop Dogg!
Jasmine Murray - She is the shy one of the group. Very quiet but she is only 16. She was 9 when the show first started. Because she is so young, she says she is definitely taking the producers', vocal coachs', stylists', etcetera's advice to heart. They wanted her to sing a Rihanna song this week but the songs didn't clear.
Allison Iraheta - The other 16-year-old. I found her to have a much bigger personality when she was on her own. She's a straight-shooter for sure. She and Jasmine are very close because they have to go to school together everyday. She says she likes this because it keeps her away from the behind-the-scenes drama.
Danny Gokey - As kind-hearted as he seems on the show. Last night while most of the Idols stayed in the VIP area, Danny was out on the dance floor cutting a rug for hours.
Alexis Grace - She is a quiet one as well. I think she is feeling the stress of being a mom and having to be away from her child. Fortunately, her fiance and parents are helping out but it's hard to not be hands-on.
Megan Joy - First off, she is absolutely drop-dead gorgeous and a dead ringer for Reese Witherspoon. She wanted to model but was too short. I found her to be the most real, most honest contestant I have ever met. Also, she is going through a divorce and says she will be losing the name Corkrey. So it will just be Megan Joy now. She said she is a dork and those dance moves are real. I did see her busting a move on the dance floor last night and she certainly had better moves there!
Adam Lambert - I normally never play favorites but this time around I'm going to. I think I will start working on my signs now for the tapings! Adam is the real deal. He is smart, savvy and understands this business. He might not win if America doesn't vote for him but he will have a long career ahead of him for sure. I give him props for addressing the kissing photos like a man instead of giving some prepared answer like a certain contestant did last year when unsavory information leaked out about him.
Lil Rounds - I found her also to be much warmer when it was just one-on-one. She was cracking up explaining to me that 2, 3 and 5-year-olds (her kids ages) don't go to school yet and therefore don't have Spring Break when I asked if they would fly out. Oops. Clearly i'm not a mom and I guess a clueless Aunt too! Sorry Emma, I apparently a trek to Cancun is not in your future.
Matt Giraud - A perfect cross looks-wise between Justin Timberlake and Michael Buble. He's just as goofy as Timberlake and I think that's a good thing. He hasn't had much of a chance to show that personality but hopefully he will. If he does, I think he's going to go very far.
Kris Allen - I can see why the little girls love him. He's certainly a cutie. We made a bet that on the first night of taping, someone in the audience would have a sign that said "Marry Me Kris." So, if anyone is going, bring a sign and I'll split the winnings with you!
Michael Sarver - Apparently his pastor has said he is a former bad boy. He admitted he was a bit of a wild child in his teenager years. I have to say I don't see it. He seems like a true, genuine soul and I can't imagine him ever having stirred up trouble. I don't see the edge at all but maybe having kids has changed him.
Jorge Nunez - Well, we now know that Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony are fans. They texted Ryan Seacrest that they were in tears watching him perform. Even knowing that, he is still a humble guy. I think the language barrier might become a disadvantage for him behind the scenes but on the stage it should set him apart.
I tried to get some song choices or even a theme out of them but no one was budging. Executive producer Ken Warwick did say that they have a big surprise coming on Tuesday, too. And a big thank you to Ken for admitting that they kept Tatiana in the competition because she was "good television." Finally, a producer that admits when a reality show steps in to boost a story
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