American Idol 7: Who Made the Top 24?

It was 7:30am in Hollywood and the American Idol contestants were eating breakfast and preparing themselves for the final judging that was to come in a few hours. Among them, only 12 females and 12 males would make it further in the competition.

I poured a tall glass of tea, opened a bag of white cheddar popcorn, and plopped down on the couch in front of the TV to watch tonight's final decisions. Here's how it turned out.

Randy, Paula, and Simon were still debating their choices! They were having trouble deciding and totally agreeing on who to put through and who to turn away. Randy and Paula liked one person while Simon didn't. On the other hand, Randy and Paula did not like one contestant while Simon thought that certain individual could become American Idol without a doubt. Even after the final decisions, Simon was still not happy with some of the choices.

Finally, at 9am the judges were ready, and the contestants showed up to hear the list.

For this part, the contestants wait in a room together and when called, each contestant goes up an elevator to the next floor and walks to the judges desk for the result. They take a seat in front of the judges as the three of them tell the contestant if he/she made it or if he/she is going home.

First up is Ronald Hodge. He is told no, but to work on things and try again.

The "no's" kept spreading until the judges got to Carly Smithson (who auditioned in Season 5 but was forced out because her visa did not come through). Paula tries to explain to a nervous and crying Carly that she is a great singer, but she needs to get rid of her doubts. The three judges finally reveal that they are putting her into this competition.

David Cook's guitar playing yesterday in Hollywood did not impress the judges. However, tonight, the judges told him he had made it.

Rocker Amanda Overmyer stands out with her Janice Joplin-like voice. Paula wonders if American Idol is the right place for her, and obviously it is because she was put through.