American Idol 9 Top 24 Rankings & Odds

Now that the Top 24 is final, let's rank the Idol hopefuls. I'll start with my rankings and then end with my predictions on who survives and makes the Top 12.

RANKINGS
Women
1. Ashley Rodriguez
Hispanic girl who is always seen wearing blazers. She was the favorite since the premiere episode of Idol and her audition in Boston. Opinions have not changed about her yet. In a sea of sob stories, she'll need to develop an angle to win the sentimental voters over.

2. Didi Benami
Blonde whose best friend passed away. Her first audition was shoddy, but she had a good story to rally behind. In Hollywood, her performance of Terrified won me over big time - this chick can sing and is likely the early favorite.


3. Lacey Brown
Redhead who was eliminated next to Megan Corkrey in S8. This girl has a lot of style, has thus far been humble and can sing. What's not to like? When asked by Simon whether she should have been cut last year, she answered "yes"...how awesome is that?

4. Katie Stevens
Girl whose grandmother has Alzheimer's. She doesn't do it for me in the looks department - she doesn't look like a star...merely a cookie-cutter teenager. Kara was high on her, though, saying that she could win it all.

5. Haeley Vaughn
Black country singer. Those three words say it all. There is currently no Black Taylor Swift and no country version of Beyonce. Although her excessive makeup makes me look away at times, I am digging her style and think she has potential (there is definitely some industry whitespace for her to fill).

6. Lilly Scott
Girl with white/gray/blonde hair and jazzy auditions. She's got style. I want to know the story behind her peacock earrings - there's got to be a story there.



7. Janell Wheeler
She will not win this competition but Idol's shown her so many times that she's growing on me by way of the exposure effect.




8. Crystal Bowersox
Hippie mom who keeps showing that picture of her son. Her looks, the way she dresses and the fact her son is the focal point of her tv segments all add to her striking resemblance to Claire Littleton from Lost (above-right). She can sing too, but she's not winning the show. That was quite an awkward moment she shared with the Idol judges after they told her she made the Top 24...Kara: "Congratulations! Give me a hug" . Crystal: "No. I want to show you a picture of my son" . wtf

9. Katelyn Epperly


10. Siobhan Magnus
She undoubtedly has style...just not one that I fancy. One of her outfits in Hollywood week was a jean jacket over a Sandra Dee pink top with some random leg warmers. Interesting combo, but I see her getting to be a bit much.

11. Paige Miles
She has no unique style, edge nor story yet to crack the Top 12.



12. Michell Delamore
Who is she...where did she come from? I don't recall seeing her auditions nor any segments about her in any of the episodes this season. Therefore, I cannot give her any love.


Men
1. Andrew Garcia
He is America's one chance at crushing Idol's hope of crowning a female winner this season.


2. Lee DeWyze
He's different than the rest of the Top 12 guys and in my opinion, has one of the better voices.



3. John Park
Korean Northwestern student who got Shania Twain worked up. I don't think his voice is anywhere close to being spectacular in the one performance we've seen (Idol has not given him any air time since his initial audition)...but I must root for the Asian.


4. Michael Lynche
Dad whose wife gave birth during Hollywood week. He can belt it out.



5. Jermaine Sellers





6. Tyler Grady
Blast from the 70's. At least he's different.




7. Casey James
Guy Kara's crushing on. He also took his shirt off during his audition after some pressure from Kara. Kara's the only judge he appeals to at this point.




8. Todrick Hall
This guy's a dq, but his initial audition wins him a ton of points.



9. Alex Lambert
He's the guy who said "It will look ignorant if we just sing and sway side to side." Ignorant? Really?



10. Joe Munoz
Anoop Desai look-a-like anyone? ...mixed with Jorge Nunez of S8.




11. Tim Urban
Who?




12. Aaron Kelly
David Archuleta without talent. In fact, google image search aaron kelly american idol, and you will see nothing but Archuleta pics.





ODDS
This is how I see them stacking up in the competition, taking into consideration everything behind America's vote.

Women
1. Didi Benami
2. Ashley Rodriguez
3. Katie Stevens
4. Crystal Bowersox...she could be the dark horse this season
5. Haeley Vaughn
6. Lacey Brown
7. Lilly Scott
8. Janell Wheeler
9. Siobhan Magnus
10. Katelyn Epperly
11. Paige Miles
12. Michell Delamore

Men
1. Andrew Garcia
2. Lee DeWyze...may make it through to the semi-finals because he is the White male that probably appeals most to the majority of women in America. Hey, that's how Kris Allen made his way to the end last season.
3. Michael Lynche
4. Casey James...he might make it far for the same reasons as Lee DeWyze above.
5. Tyler Grady
6. Aaron Kelly...I'm afraid he will definitely be this year's VFTWer and for that reason, will make it at least to the Top 12.
7. John Park...unfortunately American entertainment historically does not favor East Asians.
8. Jermaine Sellers...he should be in the Top 12, but likely won't make it.
9. Tim Urban
10. Todrick Hall
11. Alex Lambert
12. Joe Munoz