American Idol Contestants Rock Hollywood Week

American Idol, like many other reality TV programs, is a show people either love or hate. Regardless of where individual feelings fall on this spectrum, it's hard to deny the many stars American Idol is producing. Popular artists like Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Hudson, Carrie Underwood, Katharine McPhee, Chris Daughtry, Fantasia Barrino, and Jordin Sparks were all discovered on this show. The thousands of talented singers who turned out for the America Idol Season 7 auditions was an acknowledgement by the American public as to the increasing power of this talent search.

On Tuesday, February 12, 2008, the seventh American Idol Hollywood Week premiered on television, featuring 164 contestants all competing for the chance to advance to the next round. By the end of the third day, two-thirds of the individuals in this group were sent home, leaving only fifty singers remaining with the hope of becoming the next American Idol.

The competition began with each contestant performing alone in front of the judges. Unlike in previous years, singers were allowed to play an instrument. This proved to be a benefit in some auditions and the downfall of others. A second change in this season's competition was there were no contestants eliminated on the first part of this round. Even those who received a resounding "no" from the judges were given a second chance to redeem themselves. At the close of Day 1 of Hollywood Week, fifty-four contestants were in need of this new option. A stand-out performance for me on day one was Amanda Overmyer, the rocker nurse from Indiana. Amanda brings something new to American Idol with her edgy voice, which is reminiscent of rock and roll star Janice Joplin but with a modern twist.