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« The Great American Idol Blog
TV Guide Exclusive! Inside Idol's Top 12 Party
Finalists David and Kristy Lee Cook by Kevin Winter/Fox
As the sun set Thursday on Los Angeles, it left behind a streaky pink sky... and only 12 wannabe Idols remaining. While the contestants heard the vote counts and left the stage, TV Guide's Top 12 party was getting under way at a rooftop venue. Inside the event, cameras queued up, lights were bright, and publicists, crew members and press buzzed about, eyeing congratulatory cupcakes adorned with each singer's photo.
Suddenly, the contestants burst into the room, cameras started snapping and the party had officially begun. The mood was exuberant, the energy electric. TVGuide.com was there to congratulate the contestants, find out what they loved best and feared most about the show — plus, of course, share some laughs and cake with the new top dogs of the season.
I caught up with a few of them between their on-camera time and photo sessions, plus I got some observations from the party pros on how this group handled the new, and very bright, spotlight.
On the "Fear Factor":
For Kristy Lee Cook, Thursday's show was a heart-stopper. "It was just me and Asia'h left," she said, "and they were like, 'And we'll tell you... right after the break!' I was like, 'Ugh. Are you kidding me?!'"
David Cook, meanwhile, thought he got off easy, but didn't deny the toll of the stress. "I lucked out. They let me go first," he said, then adding: "[Fear and stress are] an inevitable part of this whole experience, and I'm surprised that I haven't lost 200 of the 185-pound frame that I'm carrying."
In contrast, fellow Top 12er Syesha Mercado had her most nerve-racking moments at the start of the contest. "My first three performances I was super, super nervous," she confided. "My family and friends who know my voice could tell, my nerves kind of came through on my performances. But the best thing to do is leave those performances in the past, and move onto the next one."
On Being Newly Minted Celebs:
The singers were undeniably ebullient, milling around with perma-grins amidst the throngs of cameras, reporters, PR people and ad hoc interviews going on simultaneously. But getting them to warm up for the camera wasn't as easy as getting them to the Idol microphone. One of the photogs on hand described how some of the crooners took to her lens like they were born to do it, while others needed a little cajoling (or even a cupcake).
David Archuleta, who comes off as "shy" and so gentle that, according to one source, it's like he "wears angel wings," was so darn excited he couldn't bring himself to frown for the camera, even in jest. Finally he resorted to just pulling down the corners of his lips, but nothing could suppress his smile. David Cook, meanwhile, had a cupcake to sweeten things up, which gave him frosting-smeared hands, a mangled confection and a self-described sugar high by the time I spoke with him.
As some Idols sat for a shoot, others were already totally warmed up for face time with the photogs. Michael Johns was hamming it up on the other side of the room, doing his best Austin Powers impression and dance (!) for anyone who would watch, nudging Kristy and rolling out his Mike Myers one-liners from the movie.
On the Excitement of Making the Top 12:
Above all, the highlight of the evening was the contestants' absolute, unadulterated excitement, which was so pure it was palpable.
Syesha described how she felt when she walked into the party, saying, "Oh, I felt so good. It just reminds you that you're doing something really big and this is a big opportunity, so you do what you can to do your best."
David Cook, meanwhile, had a similarly global view of his success. "Some 103,000 people tried out this season," he said. "So when you go to that first audition, to think that you're going to be here is so far-fetched, it's kind of ludicrous." He continued, "It's very humbling to be here. This is one of those things that [most] people don't ever get to say that they did. I'm looking forward to telling my grandkids about this."
Glamour, crowds, cameras and desserts aside, the kind of raw enthusiasm that was on display at TV Guide's Top 12 Party was definitively the best part of the event. And that, beneath a wide-open sky (bear with me here) of possibility (this is Idol, I'm about to remind you), is, at the end of the night, what American Idol is really all about. — Anna Dimond
Who's your pick to win Idol now? Vote in our Power Rankings.
TV Guide Network premieres Idol: Top 12, featuring coverage of Thursday night's big bash, this Saturday at 6 pm/ET. Encore airings begin Saturday at 9, then Sunday at 4.
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Mar 7, 2008 4:05 AM
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I have to tell you, my heart broke when Danny was voted off. Not that I thought he was great, but I think this was something that could have helped his otherwise lost self esteem.
I am rooting for David Cook to win.
I do not like any of the girls and kady,brook and the only blonde, one of them will just get booted off next week. I think they are "forgettable".
I wish Chiezie was voted off. I dont like him.
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Mar 7, 2008 9:55 AM
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double post
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Mar 7, 2008 10:10 AM
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thanks for that article. im rooting for david cook to win american idol. i think its time that a rocker won. i love david archuleta but hes obviously going to be in the top.
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Mar 7, 2008 11:15 AM
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I was sad that Danny left...but he never sang a song that would showcase his voice. He had a great audition and did well during Hollywood week, but did nothing for the live performances. As they say song choice can make or break you and for Danny it didn't fare well.
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Mar 7, 2008 11:58 AM
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I would have liked to see Amanda go home. She has a fun rocker voice, but it gets seriously old very quickly and I am pretty much over it. I was very disappointed that Chickezie made the top 12 over Danny. Danny was certainly not my favorite, but he added an element of fun to the show that is going to really be missed! I don't think he had a snowball's chance to win it (and neither does Chickezie), but it would have been fun to see him try! As for the girls, I didn't really care who made it except for Carly and Brooke. I think one of the guys is going to take it this year. There is a lot of talent in that top 6!
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Mar 7, 2008 12:41 PM
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David Archuleta. All the way!!!
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Mar 7, 2008 1:17 PM
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I'm not a big fan, but I have to admit that David Cook has the cutest smile of all of the contestants.
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Mar 7, 2008 5:24 PM
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David A. is the only reason I look forward to Tuesdays.
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Mar 7, 2008 9:43 PM
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I just keep loving David Cook more and more. He's very talented, he doesn't take himself too seriously, and he uses words like ludicrous and inevitable in the middle of a sugar high. Oh David, you've got my vote.
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Mar 7, 2008 11:09 PM
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Final fab four:
Brooke, David C., David A., Carly
I agree with feedback that Carly needs to find her niche---she has a beautiful gift, but hasn't yet defined what type of artist she is. This is where I think Brooke excels exponentially----she knows who she is: can be folksy, do a ballad, and evoke emotion.
Last girl standing: Brooke
David A. is phenomenal for his age...but age shouldn't continue to be introduced as a factor. If you have not caught his video of Michelle Branch's A Thousand Miles on YouTube, you are missing out---I hope he does it on Idol. I think his gawky awkwardness at the end of every performance will be his downfall. David C. is so incredibly strong and is a performance artist. He has a true understanding of his voice and abilities, and knows his rock genre, but I think he can transcend and do more pop-flavored or easy-listening with an edge, which makes him increasingly marketable.
Last guy standing: David C., no David A., no David C., no David A. Wow, such a horserace, but I'm going to say Cook stands.
What an amazing season this will be.
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Mar 8, 2008 11:40 AM
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YAWN! This is why TMZ is so popular, they actually have news that's worth reporting and interesting. What happened to you TV Guide?
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Mar 8, 2008 2:43 PM
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