As for Ruben, he is intrinsically a very likeable guy. None of the three divas this year are anywhere close to him (or Clay) on the Likeability Chart. Of the remaining gals, Jazz and Diana are both very very likeable with Diana having a huge edge in the Chops Department. Jazz needs some serious training to help her overcome her pitch problemos.
There's one other factor that isn't mentioned very often - the singers in this competititon that are used to the acoustics of being on stage with a very loud house sound mix and used to singing with cues from the foldback speakers are the ones that are singing the most in-tune. Some of the younger ones, lacking that experience, have been at times woefully out of tune because they don't know how to hear themselves in such situations. Every good singers can easily be tricked by the sound system into over-compensating for perceived pitch problems.
Michael
I remember that LaToya was in a band. The night she sang with the Miami Sound Machine she really worked the room. And Fantasia has had several great stage performances.
My money and tatses were on LaToya. If Jasmine wins I think it's a let down because the level of quality will have slipped significantly. IMO.