american idol top 24

American Idol Top 10 Men – Win or Fail?

So far this year on American Idol, we’ve been rather uninspired by most of the contestants, including many of those in the top 24. Overall, the men have seemed especially bland this season, but last night we finally started to click with a few of the top 10 male contestants.

Despite a last minute switcheroo that ended up with the boys performing last night rather than the girls (due to Crystal Bowersox‘s hospital trip), the top 10 men of American Idol showed nice improvement in general over the previous week’s abysmal performances. We can only hope they’ll continue to ramp it up next week.

Win:

Michael Lynche – We’re starting to be rather happy that the rumors Michael Lynche had been eliminated from American Idol over a press leak that he’d make the top 24 seem to have proven totally false. This week on Idol, Lynche belted out a James Brown tune that suited him to near perfection. Big Mike really showed off that big voice and we’re kinda getting sweet on him.

Alex Lambert – For some reason we can’t quite get with Alex Lambert, despite his shy cuteness and promising talent. Perhaps because he just seems so awkward on stage we wonder if he can ever really make it as a ‘star’ in the music business. This week, however, Lambert pushed out of his shell somewhat performing John Legend‘s “Everybody Knows”. You never know, he might just turn out to be the dark horse this season.

Lee DeWyze – Unlike Alex Lambert, we have really wanted to like this guy from the beginning. Although his performance this week was still pitchy and shaky, it was nice to see him pick a song that fit much better with his voice. We feel he’s got potential in there, but we’re not quite sure he’s ever going to be able to really live up to it.

Win Runner-Up: Tim Urban, for sticking in there and not sucking too badly, despite constantly looking like a fish out of water.

Fail:

Casey James – Why on earth did this boy go and pick Gavin DeGraw‘s “I Don’t Want To Be”? – a song that’s been covered so often that it’s almost painful to hear it yet again? Get some originality dude! Not only is the song totally overdone, but James struggled with the vocals and the whole rendition just fell flat.

Andrew Garcia – It’s not that he was all that terrible doing Morrison‘s “You Give Me Something”. It’s just that honestly we forgot he had even performed minutes after he sang. That, in our opinion, is almost worse than sucking. At least sucking is memorable, we just forgot he existed.

Aaron Kelly – Yet again, poor song choice here. If we have to hear “My Girl” one more bloody time… Simon and Kara might have liked Aaron, but we’re pretty much done with his boring self.

Fail Runner-Ups: John Park, who can’t quite seem to get it together. Todrick Hall, for daring to sing Tina Turner badly. Jermaine Sellers, who abused Marvin Gaye‘s overdone song “What’s Going On” and sounded just plain weird singing it.

Check out more American Idol news and dish over at AmericanIdolNet.com.

>> Previously:Â American Idol Disqualified Contestant Chris Golightly Still Fighting to Return

American Idol Disqualified Contestant Chris Golightly Still Fighting to Return

American Idol contestant Chris Golightly is still fighting to return to the show after being disqualified after reaching the Top 24 in the competition. Even American Idol judge Simon Cowell expressed surprise over Golightly’s elimination from the show and vowed to “find out what the reason is” behind the decision to boot him.

“I honestly don’t have a clue why he’s been removed from the competition,” Simon Cowell said Thursday, according to the Los Angeles Times. “I’m guessing it’s some sort of technical reason, but it’s a shame for him. He needed this opportunity.” Cowell encouraged Golightly to try out for his upcoming U.S. version of The X Factor.

Chris Golightly was reportedly disqualified from the Top 24 over an issue stemming from a previous boy band contract he had with Dream Projects Entertainment. Lawrence Franklin, Golightly’s previous manager, told American Idol producers at 19 Entertainment that he was still under contract with his company.

Golightly said the old contract expired before he auditioned for American Idol and was eventually able to acquire proof of his contract release. Sadly, it was already too late toÂ prevent his removal from the show. The show’s producers replaced Golightly with Tim Urban in the Top 24. Franklin later apologized for the confusion over the old contract that led to Golightly’s elimination.

Chris Golightly has been fighting to return to American Idol since he received the phone call telling him he had been disqualified from the competition. So far, however, he says “nothing has progressed” in his effort to get back on the show. “This is not fair; I don’t know what to do,” Golightly told USA Today.

Golightly, who gave up the lease on his apartment to participate in American Idol, is devastated over his disqualification. “I’ve had such bad luck, growing up in the system, living in foster homes all my life. … I’ve never tried to use it as a crutch, but when does the pain end and the sunshine begin?”

>> Previously:Â Chris Golightly Disqualified from American Idol Top 24

Chris Golightly Disqualified from American Idol Top 24

American Idol contestant Chris Golightly will not be moving on to the finals of the reality show after all. Golightly was allegedly disqualified from the American Idol Top 24 over a contract issue.

“It has been determined that Chris Golightly is ineligible to continue in the competition,” Fox said in a press release. “American Idol contestant Tim Urban has replaced Golightly as part of the Top 24.”

Golightly reportedly had a contract with a boy band that he claims expired in 2009, according to JoesPlaceBlog.com. His previous manager allegedly believed he was still under that contract. Unfortunately for Golightly, the contract release didn’t turn up until after he’d already been kicked out of the American Idol Top 24.

Interestingly, it was not Chris Golightly who was the subject of disqualification buzz earlier this month. American Idol hopeful Michael Lynche was the talk of the tabloids earlier in the month over rumors he was eliminated from the Top 24. Supposedly, Lynche was disqualified because his father leaked the news he had made the Top 24 on American Idol to the press.

Considering how much face time Michael Lynche got this week on the show, it looks like those rumors may have been nothing more than smoke and mirrors. Nothing is certain, however, until the American Idol Top 24 actually take to the stage before a live audience to duke it out in the finals.

>> Previously:Â Katy Perry Slams Kara DioGuardi at American Idol Audition

American Idol Will Reveal Some of Top 24 on Tuesday

American Idol will break with tradition on Tuesday night by announcing a partial list of the top 24 contestants during the two hour special.

American Idol judges & host (FOX) — 'American Idol' judges & host (FOX)

Judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi and Ellen DeGeneres will deliberate following the solo performances on Tuesday and announced some of the top 24 American Idol semifinalists early.

The remainder of the top 24 American Idol contestants will be announced, as usual, on Wednesday night’s show. This marks the first time in nine seasons that part of the top 24 contestants will be announced in two parts.

American Idol airs this week on Tuesday at 8pm to 10pm ET/PT and Wednesday from 9pm to 10pm ET/PT on Fox.

>> Previously:Â Katy Perry Slams Kara DioGuardi at American Idol Audition

American Idol Contestant Michael Lynche Cut for Top 24 Leak?

American Idol contestant Michael Lynche was allegedly cut from the competition after it was revealed he had made it to the Top 24.Â No official announcement about Lynche being disqualified has been released from Fox, however, so we’re still taking this rumor with a hefty load of salt.

Michael Lynche SF — Michael Lynche (Photo: HoodsFamousMusic.com)

Michael Lynche (aka Big Mike) was reportedly dropped from American Idol after his father told the St. Petersburg Times that his son had made the finals. That’s a big no-no according to American Idol rules, which state contestants and their families cannot reveal Hollywood week results until after the shows are broadcast. Lynch wasÂ allegedly replaced in the Top 24Â after news he had made it through hit the press. Fox has not commented on the story so far.

Even if this rumor does turn out to be true,Â all does not seem to be lost for Michael Lynch. The former football player reportedly signed a recording contract with Hood Famous Music andÂ has a page up on their website featuring some of his audio clips.

* Update: Still no officialÂ word from Fox that Micheal Lynche has actually been disqualified from the competition, although the network did announce another contestant – Chris Golightly – was dropped from the Top 24 over a contract issue. Lynche was prominently featured during the last few nights of Hollywood week, so it may turn out this whole rumor may turn out to be a comple wash.