Have a look at the Offical Press Release from FOX
TOP 24 "AMERICAN IDOL" SEMIFINALISTS REVEALED AS TV'S HOTTEST SHOW HEATS UP!
Released by FOX
TOP 24 "AMERICAN IDOL" SEMIFINALISTS REVEALED AS TV'S HOTTEST SHOW HEATS UP!
AMERICA BEGINS VOTING FOR FAVORITE CONTESTANTS GIRLS COMPETE FOR FIRST TIME TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21 AND BOYS COMPETE WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 22 First LIVE Results Show Airs Thursday, February 23, on FOX
The remarkable fifth season of AMERICAN IDOL hit a high note last night as the grueling Hollywood auditions ended and the judges' Top 24 semifinalists were revealed. Next week, the 24 contestants will be split into two groups – 12 males and 12 females – with each performing a song of his or her choice for America. The fate of these 24 contestants – one of whom will be the next American Idol – now rests in the viewers' hands. See what happens when the competition heats up, nerves rattle and contestants shine or fizzle out on the season's first performance shows Tuesday, Feb. 21 (8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) and Wednesday, Feb. 22 (8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. Then tune in to see who America chooses to continue in the competition. Two males and two females will be eliminated on the results show Thursday, Feb. 23 (8:00–9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed).
The Top 12 female singers from around the nation will perform Tuesday, Feb. 21 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. At the end of the show, the phone lines will open for two hours and AMERICAN IDOL viewers will vote for their favorite female contestant(s). Fans can use the branded toll-free telephone numbers (1-866-IDOLS-01, -02, etc.) until 12:00 AM ET/PT (11:00 PM CT/MT), subject to time zone restrictions, or vote via text messaging from their Cingular Wireless phones. Cingular Wireless customers can send the word "vote" to the four-digit short number (5701, 5702, etc.) representing the contestant of their choice.
The Top 12 male singers from around the nation will perform Wednesday, Feb. 22 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT) on FOX. At the end of the show, the phone lines will again open for two hours and AMERICAN IDOL viewers will vote for their favorite male contestant(s) from Wednesday's episode. As on Tuesday, fans can use the branded toll-free telephone numbers (1-866-IDOLS-01, -02, etc.) until 12:00 AM ET/PT (11:00 PM CT/MT), subject to time zone restrictions, or vote via text messaging from their Cingular Wireless phones. Cingular Wireless customers can send the word "vote" to the four-digit short number (5701, 5702, etc.) representing the contestant of their choice.
On Thursday's LIVE results show, the semifinalists will take the stage to find out their fate. The two lowest vote-getters from each group will be eliminated from the competition live on Thursday, Feb. 23 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.
Meet Your 24 Semifinalists:
Female singers scheduled to perform Tuesday, Feb. 21 (8:00–10:00 PM ET/PT) include:
PARIS BENNETT – (17) From Fayetteville, GA – (Auditioned in Greensboro) – Paris began singing at the age of 4. She has performed in numerous concerts and has opened for many groups, including Bow Wow. Paris is a skilled dancer in hip-hop, jazz and modern African dance.
AYLA BROWN – (17) From Wrentham, MA (Auditioned in Boston) – Ayla is currently a senior at Noble & Greenough High School. She is captain of her basketball team and has scored over 2,200 points. Ayla will be attending Boston College in the fall on a full basketball scholarship. She got her start in the world of music while singing along to Disney movies at the age of 6.
HEATHER COX – (22) From Jonesville, NC (Auditioned in Denver) – Heather currently lives in her hometown of Jonesville, NC, and recently graduated from Surry Community College with an accounting degree.
BRENNA GETHERS – (25) From Mt. Vernon, NY (Auditioned in Boston) – Born in the Bronx and raised in Mt. Vernon, NY, Brenna began singing at the tender age of 3. Brenna holds a black belt in Shotokan karate and is an avid Scrabble competitor.
MANDISA – (29) From Antioch, TN (Auditioned in Chicago) – Born and raised in Citrus Heights, CA, Mandisa moved to Nashville to study singing at Fisk University. She has performed with such artists as Shania Twain, Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill and Charlie Daniels.
KINNIK SKY– (28) From Duluth, GA (Auditioned in Greensboro) – Born and raised in Columbia, SC, Kinnik began singing at the age of 4, and considers her singing style "old school soul." For the past eight years, she has been living in Duluth, GA, where she works as a professional actress at various theaters.
MELISSA McGHEE – (21) From Tampa, FL (Auditioned in Denver) – Melissa was born and raised in Tampa. At the young age of 4 Melissa embarked on her performing career. A true romantic, Melissa enjoys singing, dancing and going to the beach in her free time.
KATHARINE McPHEE – (21) From Sherman Oaks, CA (Auditioned in San Francisco) – Katharine was born and raised in Los Angeles. She was exposed at an early age to the joy of singing by her mother, a vocal coach. After high school, Katharine attended the prestigious Boston Conservatory for one semester and majored in musical theater.
BECKY O'DONOHUE – (25) From Dobbs Ferry, NY (Auditioned in Boston) – Becky began singing at the age of 4. Becky attended Niagara University on a full scholarship and received her B.A. in Communications. Singing isn't her only talent. Becky played Division I basketball for Niagara University. Currently, she is working for an entertainment company and as a waitress in City Island.
KELLIE PICKLER – (19) From Albemarle, NC (Auditioned in Greensboro) – Kellie is a waitress who currently lives in Albemarle, NC, and enjoys singing, dancing and shopping for shoes. Kellie has been singing for as long as she can remember, but only began performing for crowds four years ago.
STEVIE SCOTT – (19) From Fair Oaks, CA (Auditioned in Denver) – Stevie is currently a freshman at California State University, Sacramento, studying music. She is from a musical family, began performing at 10, and by the age of 15, began a recording career. A versatile musician who plays the guitar and piano, Stevie enjoys performing everything from R&B to opera.
LISA TUCKER – (16) From Anaheim, CA (Auditioned in Denver) – Lisa is currently a senior at Kennedy High School. She was the original "Young Nala" in Disney's Los Angeles production of "The Lion King" and was voted by Variety as one of the "Top Ten Talents to Watch." Lisa also plays the guitar and piano and is a songwriter..............
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