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Adam "Superbad" Ezegelian Age: 21 – Hometown: Wantagh, NY
“You don’t really get a contestant that looks and sounds like me a lot,” says Adam, who we agree looks and sounds different than most of the other Top 24. So far we’ve seen the guy tackle rock standards like Whitesnake’s “Here I Go Again”. But what might Adam’s version of “Let It Go” sound like? “My Humps”? Who knows what he’ll sing next, but we’re excited to hear it. - See more at: americanidol.com
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Adanna DuruAge: 18 – Hometown: Diamond Bar, CA
When she's not singing herself - and singing very, very well - Adanna is a singing teacher for middle and elementary school-age kids. Even out of class, there's a lot they can learn from the performances she's delivered thus far. We expect more in the very near future. - See more at:americanidol.com
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Alexis Gomez Age: 22 – Hometown: Centerville, OH
While the country-playing family band she grew up with won't be able to join her on the Idol stage, we're confident Alexis can pull it off on her own. Remember how she auditioned barefoot? [Nope.] Alexis has more courage than the rest of the Top 24 combined. [Based on what? Singing barefoot? What a stupid comment.] - See more at:americanidol.com
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Clark Beckham Age: 22 – Hometown: White House, TN
"I know this is where I belong,” says Clark. And considering the number of places he’s seen as a longtime street performer, that declaration’s got to mean SOMETHING. Whether playing piano or guitar, we think he’ll fit right in on the Idol stage. - See more at: americanidol.com
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Daniel Seavy Age: 15 – Hometown: Vancouver, WA
YES he’s the youngest competitor in the Top 24 and YES he looks ripped from a 1950s sitcom. [That used to be called "normal". Now normal is having pink hair and 4 moms.] But don’t be fooled — behind that innocent face lie the power and instincts of a natural, killer musician. - See more at: americanidol.com
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Jax Age: 18 – Hometown: East Brunswick, NJ
Between the backward camo cap and the "x" tattoo just under her left eye, it's safe to say that Jax [real name Jackie Cole Miskanic] stood out from her first introduction in Brooklyn. It's her voice, though, and her hard-earned performance abilities that have kept her on our radar. Jax: "I feel like I have my own thing everywhere I go." - See more at: americanidol.com
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Joey Cook Age: 23 – Hometown: Woodbridge, VA
Like many an Idol contestant, Joey’s done a bit of everything to make money while she chases down her musical dreams. But we’re hoping, like she is, that she never has to nanny or pick blueberries again. The ultimate goal? “I’d like to perform original music on live television. And sell my own songs.” (As long as none of them have “Squeezebox” in the title, Joey!) - See more at:americanidol.com
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Katherine Winston Age: 18 – Hometown: Lenox, MA
Katherine is someone we haven’t seen too much of yet this season, but that’s all about to change with her Top 24 selection. Her funky, bohemian style is a welcome addition to the competition. - See more at: americanidol.com
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Loren Lott Age: 22 – Hometown: San Diego, CA
"I think you can... chill a little bit" is the first advice Jen offers Loren in their sit-down interview. And it's not "chill" as in "calm down" (though Loren’s got energy to spare) so much "chill" the way you would when you're definitely doing something right. "Skyfall", anyone? Celine Dion's "Titanic" theme? Loren, you're definitely doing something right. - See more at:americanidol.com
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Lovey James Age: 17 – Hometown: Portland, OR
Lovey's path to singing was, like the invention of penicillin, sort of an accident. But what she's done with it sure isn't. "I'm going to work so hard," she tells us. "Hopefully America loves Lovey." - See more at: americanidol.com
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Maddie Walker Age: 17 – Hometown: Ankeny, IA
Maddie [the non-lipsticked one] may be young, but she's already learned from Idol that chasing down your dreams means knowing who it is doing the dreaming. "I want to find me," she says, "and not try to be anyone else." So far so good, Maddie! - See more at: americanidol.com
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Mark "Knit Cap" Andrew Age: 29 – Hometown: Minneapolis, MN
“It would be nice to be able to pay the bills and do what I love,” says Mark, who works as a landscaper but really wants to direct. (Perform! Obviously.) With or without his signature beanie, we think he stands a good chance at making that happen. - See more at: americanidol.com
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Michael Simeon Age: 21 – Hometown: Lumberton, MS
A nation of hormonal teens raised their Mountain Dews in celebration [raised their Mountain Dews ...?] when Michael managed to slow dance with JENNIFER LOPEZ in his initial audition. Since then he’s kept all of us cheering with confident, joyful performances we’re excited to keep seeing. - See more at: americanidol.com
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Nick Fradiani Age: 29 – Hometown: Guilford, CT
Like fellow elder statesman Mark Andrew, this is Nick’s last year to compete on Idol. “I’ve got to make the most it,” he says, and you can feel that drive every time he gets on stage. Cheers to kids born in the 80s! - See more at: americanidol.com
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Qaasim Middleton Age: 19 – Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Thanks largely to his chatty mom, Qaasim has already shared more than enough of himself with the world. But it’s that openness on stage, that vulnerability, that makes him unique and gets us excited by the prospect of what we might learn next. - See more at: americanidol.com
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Quentin Alexander Age: 21 Hometown: New Orleans, LA
In this group of 24, Quentin's arguably one of the more quiet, introspective ones. But when he opens his mouth to sing, man - I mean, you've heard the expression "still waters run deep"? Stay quiet, Quentin! - See more at: americanidol.com
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Rayvon Owen Age: 23 – Hometown: Richmond, VA
Rayvon wants a lot of things. To have a “career of integrity,” for one. To make a record that “changes someone’s life.” What we want? To see Rayvon keep delivering performances as smooth and sincere as the ones he’s given us so far. - See more at: americanidol.com
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Riley Bria Age: 18 – Hometown: Spring Hill, TN
The kid can sing, the kid can play guitar, and the kid can flip his blond locks with the kind of effortless grace you’d expect from the Little Mermaid. [A brief pause as I vomit] Basically, he is an Idol force to be reckoned with. “I’m that much closer to my dreams,” Riley says, “I’ve just got to work hard and go get them.” - See more at: americanidol.com
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Sarina-Joi Crowe Age: 19 – Hometown: Columbia, TN
Four seasons. That’s how many times Sarina-Joi has been at her Idol dream, and in Season XIV…it’s finally paying off. “I feel like you’re qualified to raise me now,” she tells the judges. Kid, you figured it all out on your own. - See more at: americanidol.com
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Savion Wright Age: 22 -Hometown: Jasper, TX
Call him the Comeback Kid! (Or, you know, just call him Savion.) Narrowly missing the live shows last year was heartbreaking for Savion, but only made him that much hungrier when it came time to give Idol another shot. “I am PUMPED,” he says, “and I am ready to DO THIS!” - See more at: americanidol.com
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Shannon Berthiaume Age: 17 – Hometown: St. Paul, MN
This fact bears repeating: before House of Blues, Shannon Berthiaume [sounds like "Perfume"] had never before performed in front of a live audience. House of Blues, a nationally recognized music venue, was her first true live performance. If this big-voiced teen can handle that, she's ready for just about anything! - See more at: americanidol.com
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Shi Scott Age: 19 – Hometown: Belcamp, MD
Shi's name makes it confusing sometimes to write about her. She's (Shi's) a singer whose name would drive any writer a little crazy, but whose voice and confidence have proven quite the draw on stages across the country. We think she's (Shi's) gonna go far. - See more at: americanidol.com
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Trevor Douglas Age: 17 – Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Our thick but chic glasses just fogged up, which can only mean one thing: Trevor Douglas is in the house. Already he’s set off a chemical reaction in our hearts with lively renditions of “Skinny Love” and “I See Fire”. How will he school us next? (Trevor, we’re sorry for all the nerd puns.) - See more at: americanidol.com
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Tyanna Jones Age: 16 – Hometown: Jacksonville, FL
Sometimes about the only thing you can write is "this kid's got the goods," and in the case of Tyanna, well... she's got the goods. A singer and dancer (and maybe an actor next, to make her a "triple threat") with impeccable stage presence, Tyanna makes for a powerful Idol contender. - See more at: americanidol.com