Now that the Top 36 has been chosen and barring any other Joanna-like swaps, it seems like now would be a good time for IDOL LIVE to post predictions for the Top 12 of Season 8. Although the other two groups have yet to be revealed, it is safe to assume that anyone that does not advance on their first go-round would be a viable candidate for a wild card slot. So without further ado, here is how we think the Top 12 will materialize:
The Top 12 of American Idol: Season 8
Felicia Barton
Felicia has been on a wild ride for the past few days. She had no idea she would be named as a replacement following Wednesday night's ouster of future Top 12 contestant Joanna Pacitti, and so she will put more effort into her song choice, appearance, stage presence and showcasing her personality when TV time comes. Felicia has more buzz surrounding her than any other Top 36 contestant at the moment thanks to the hundreds of news articles, blog entries and other mentions in the media as part of the Joanna disqualification story. If she does not make it the first time, odds are pretty good she will be a wild card pick to keep the guys from completely dominating the Top 12 this season.
Ann Marie Boskovich
Not only did she get a great shot to display her winning personality during her odd audition experience (being asked by the judges to come back and audition after changing up her look and song choice), but she also was heavily featured throughout Hollywood Week. Add to that the fact that she's beautiful and has experience in the music industry and you've got yourself a spot in the Top 36. She will be the only girl to advance from Group 1.
Anoop Desai
Anoop has a lot of things going in his favor. First, he his genre is R&B/Soul, so he should be able to shore up a good amount of those fans. He also is very likable in a geeky way, and as Clay Aiken has shown, Idol viewers love geeky guys. Add to this the fact that he is the first Indian-American contestant to reach the semifinals (and the sweeping popularity of Slumdog Millionaire in this country at the moment), and it looks like Anoop has more than a great shot at making the coveted Top 12. He will receive the second-most votes from Group 1, which will earn him one of the three spots from the group.
Matt Giraud
Another soulful R&B crooner, Matt has been compared to Elliott Yamin for his singing style. He has not been featured as prominently as some of the other guys, but his solo in Hollywood Week won him a lot of praise and he definitely has originality written all over him. He should make it into the Top 12 on his first try no matter which group he ends up in. Oh, and Matt's from Michigan. When's the last time there's been a semifinalist from the mitten state, LaKisha Jones? Yeah, that's a good enough reason to put him through (especially since he's from Kalamazoo).
Danny Gokey
Danny is probably the surest of sure bets to make the Top 12. He has progressed beyond his "story" that initially drew the ire of many viewers, as the sob stories were out in full force during this season's auditions. Danny was featured heavily in Hollywood Week along with his friend Jamar, whose failing to make the Top 36 came as a shock to many and will undoubtedly earn Danny some votes. He can also sing really well and has a unique quality to his voice, which is never a negative characteristic for an Idol finalist. Danny will be the first one sent through to the Top 12, as he will receive the highest amount of votes come Tuesday.
Ju'Not Joyner
Since there has to be at least one black male finalist, it will go to Ju'Not, though it should have been reserved for his major competition, Stephen Fowler, as he would have been known as the eighth season's "comeback kid" after rebounding from his botched stab at David Cook's "The Time of My Life" in Hollywood Week. Ju'Not has received less airtime and has a weaker voice, but since he will not be stuck in the strongest group like Stephen, he will make it instead.
Adam Lambert
Despite his puzzling solo of Cher's "Believe" in the final round of Hollywood Week, Adam has a lot of buzz surrounding him. Add in an existing fan base and initial universal support from the judges (although something tells us Simon Cowell might not be on the Adam train for very long) and the whole "goth-lite" look and it seems that he will define a whole new style of music that will be performed on the show (maybe it will be called "Male Diva Goth Rock"?).
Scott MacIntyre
He may not be the strongest singer among the guys, but something just tells us Scott will squeak into the Top 12. Although it sounds harsh to say that the "pity vote" from the grandmas and others might help him out a bit on his Idol journey, it would be a disservice to deny this notion. He's a great musician, as he plays the piano wonderfully, which will help compensate for what he's lacking in vocals.
Kristen McNamara
Kristen will be this year's Carrie Underwood / Kellie Pickler / Kristy Lee Cook, as there's an unwritten rule that a female country singer needs to be in the Top 12. She will beat out the other blonde country girl, Kendall Beard, primarily because she has received the most screen time and was seen as the victim in her Hollywood Week group's meltdown. Plus, it's a necessity to have a finalist that for whatever reason irks Simon, so Kristen will be that finalist.
Jasmine Murray
Incorporating Jasmine in the Top 12 will kill two birds with one stone, as she will be the commercial cute teenager in addition to being one of the African-American female singers. It also doesn't hurt that she has an extremely radio-friendly voice, and her voice's chances at making it into a recording studio would only be helped if she were allowed to make it semi-far in the competition. Jasmine also seems to be a favorite of the producers, which is never a bad thing.
Lil Rounds
If you haven't been following Idol up to this point, you never would have known the amount of praise has been lobbed Lil's way by the judges. She's being hailed as "the next Fantasia," and not many people agreed with the judges' over enthusiastic reactions to her first Hollywood solo performance. Regardless, she will get a spot in the Top 12 one way or another. Just you wait and see.
Michael Sarver
Idol desperately wants a male country winner. Since they apparently inexplicably swapped his slot in the first group with Matt Breitzke, it is even more obvious because Michael would hardly have a shot if he were to remain in that ultra competitive group. Even if it means the judges will have to waste a wild card pick on him because he might not make it in on America's vote alone, they will do so without thinking twice in order to keep him in the mix. Although he won't win, the producers will do their best to present him in a favorable light.
What do you think? Is this the Top 12 of Season 8 or what? (All photos courtesy of AmericanIdol.com).
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