Getting to Know the Top 24: Part 3

LAKISHA JONES
Age: 27
Hometown: Fort Meade, MD
Audition City: New York
Details: Grew up in Flint, Mich; gospel is her favorite type of music but she has trained formally in classical music.
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20 Questions
Favorite male pop artists? n/a
Favorite female pop artists? Kelly Clarkson
Formal singing training? I have training in classical and opera.
Other talents? Skating / Acting.
If you don’t make it on American Idol, what will you do? Go back to working, but still singing.
Personal goals? To provide a good life for me and my daughter.
What album would your friends be surprised you own? Kelly Clarkson.
Your American idol? Grandma [Ruth Morris].
Any rituals or things you do before you perform? Pray, drink cool tea.
Most embarrassing moments? Bra strap broke in Hollywood week.
Proudest moment? When I gave birth to my daughter [Brionne].
Your definition of an American Idol? A leader
Favorite judge and why? I don’t have a favorite. They all have been very kind to me.
What would people be surprised to learn about you? Not much. What you see is what you get.
How has this changed your life? It has given me an opportunity I’ve been waiting for.
Lucky charms? No
Heroes? Mother, grandmother
Toughest obstacle? Trying to break into the music industry.
Was the audition process fair? Yes, not everyone can sing and if it’s your time, you will make it.
If you win, who will you thank first? God Almighty.

LESLIE HUNT
Age: 24
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Audition City: Los Angeles
Details: Is a dog walker who is studying to become a dog trainer; she also plays the piano.
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20 Questions
Favorite male pop artists? Beck, White Stripes, Radiohead, Jeff Buckley, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson
Favorite female pop artists? Bjork, Aretha Franklin, Feist, Nina Simone, Fiona Apple, Joni Michell
Formal singing training? My mom has given me some pointers here and there.
Other talents? I can write one heck of an essay. Oh yeah, and I compose music.
If you don’t make it on American Idol, what will you do? I will continue on this path like my hair’s on fire!
Personal goals? To share my deepest joys and sorrows through my music.
What album would your friends be surprised you own? My friends know better than to be surprised by anything I do.
Your American idol? Nina Simone.
Any rituals or things you do before you perform? I visualize the emotions behind the music and go deep into my own little world.
Most embarrassing moments? I’ve been known to fall down a decent amount.
Proudest moment? Making it into the top 24!
Your definition of an American Idol? Someone sincere, versatile and PASSIONATE!
Favorite judge and why? RaNDY: He’s both warm AND honest.
What would people be surprised to learn about you? That I value alone time just as much as time spent with others.
How has this changed your life? Because of this, there’s a chance that I could do what I LIVE FOR for a living!
Lucky charms? No.
Heroes? The doctors that saved my life in Brazil. And I’ve always looked up to Ella Fitzgerald.
Toughest obstacle? Living my life with lupus.
Was the audition process fair? For sure.
If you win, who will you thank first? My parents, because they instilled this gift in me.

MELINDA DOOLITTLE
Age: 29
Hometown: Brentwood, TN
Audition City: Memphis
Details: Is a graduate of Belmont University in Nashville and has a bachelor’s degree in Commercial Music; is a backup singer on stage and in the studio.
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20 Questions
Favorite male pop artists? Stevie Wonder, Jonny Lang, Donny Hathaway
Favorite female pop artists? Aretha Franklin, Gladys Knight
Formal singing training? Yes – college (Music Major) and vocal lessons ever since
Other talents? Um… I love to make people laugh.
If you don’t make it on American Idol, what will you do? Keep traveling and singing
Personal goals? To represent Christ well and do everything 150%
What album would your friends be surprised you own? Tchaikovsky
Who is your American idol? My mommy!
Any rituals or things you do before you perform? Pray and warm up
Most embarrassing moments? Crying EVERY time I advance another round
Proudest moment? Actually auditioning for AI
Your definition of an American Idol? Someone who, when given the platform, represents who they truly are and can convey it in a way that makes the audience want to know more
Favorite judge and why? Simon! He’s so real with ya – Even when I don’t like it, I love it!
What would people be surprised to learn about you? [blank]
How has this changed your life? I’m singing lead now. Who knew?!
Lucky charms? My Bible.
Heroes? My mom, dad, my vocal coach [Janet Kenyon]
Toughest obstacle? Fear
Was the audition process fair? I think it was, although I have seen some great people go home.
If you win, who will you thank first? Jesus and my mommy.

NICK PEDRO
Age: 25
Hometown: Taunton, MA
Audition City: New York
Details: Made it to Hollywood last season; has performed at talent shows and is an account executive.
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20 Questions
Favorite male pop artists? Stevie Wonder, Michael Buble
Favorite female pop artists? Not sure, I enjoy Lauryn Hill’s music.
Formal singing training? Handful of lessons.
Other talents? Drawing and painting.
If you don’t make it on American Idol, what will you do? God knows.
Personal goals? Take care of my family and be remembered as a good person.
What album would your friends be surprised you own? My friends wouldn’t be surprised by anything I have—I like everything.
Your American idol? My mother and grandmother for all they’ve done for me.
Any rituals or things you do before you perform? I think about the meaning of the lyrics. Most embarrassing moments? Peeing my pants in the first grade—hey, I had to go!
Proudest moment? Telling everyone in my second grade class that my sister was born.
Your definition of an American Idol? Someone who can be looked up to and emulated.
Favorite judge and why? All are so different — I like how their personalities clash and blend.
What would people be surprised to learn about you? That I’m a formally trained artist. How has this changed your life? Not sure I can say now—too soon to tell.
Lucky charms? No.
Heroes? My mom, grandfather, and grandmother.
Toughest obstacle? Self doubt.
Was the audition process fair? Yes.
If you win, who will you thank first? God.

NICOLE TRANQUILLO
Age: 20
Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
Audition City: Memphis
Details: Is a vocal major at the University of the Arts; began taking voice lessons when she was 12 years old.
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20 Questions
Favorite male pop artists? Justin Timberlake / Stevie Wonder
Favorite female pop artists? Beyonce / Mariah Carey / Whitney Houston / Alicia Keys
Formal singing training? Yes – 10 years
Other talents? Piano, guitar, hip hop dance
If you don’t make it on American Idol, what will you do? Go back to the University of the Arts and finish my degree
Personal goals? Recording contract, tour, multiplatinum albums, marry my boyfriend JP, have kids
What album would your friends be surprised you own? Hanson “Mmm bop”
Your American idol? Anyone who has ever supported me ... My family, my boyfriend, teachers, close friends
Any rituals or things you do before you perform? Breathe and calm down.
Most embarrassing moments? Falling face-first while walking down the hallway in high heels in junior high.
Proudest moment? Getting into college, making it this far on “American Idol.”
Your definition of an American Idol? A talented and humble individual who believes that music is a healing power that touches people’s lives.
Favorite judge and why? Paula Abdul because she is such a talented and beautiful person on the inside and out.
What would people be surprised to learn about you? I am an avid hip-hop dancer and sometimes teach hip-hop on the side.
How has this changed your life? This experience has changed my life in so many ways! It has opened up so many doors for me and has given me the opportunity of a lifetime!
Lucky charms? Yes, my Chamilia charm bracelet.
Heroes? My parents, my brother, my boyfriend.
Toughest obstacle? Overcoming those everyday growing pains.
Was the audition process was fair? Absolutely. I think the judges have enough experience to know who the next American Idol could be.
If you win, who will you thank first? The judges for believing in me and America for voting!

PAUL KIM
Age: 25
Hometown: Saratoga, CA
Audition City: Los Angeles
Details: Is working as a pool maintenance technician; grew up with a love of soul music and enjoys gardening.
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20 Questions
Favorite male pop artists? Danny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Anthony Hamilton, Luther Vandross, Charlie Wilson
Favorite female pop artists? India.Arie, Alicia Keys, Angie Stone, Mariah Carey, Sade
Formal singing training? No.
Other talents? Horticulture expert, I cut my own hair, I play basketball, I have a black belt in Tae Kwon Do.
If you don’t make it on American Idol, what will you do? Go back to school and my job. Personal goals? To ultimately find eternal happiness.
What album would your friends be surprised you own? Kenny G.
Your American idol? My father—I only hope that I can one day be half the man that he is.
Any rituals or things you do before you perform? Pray, push-ups.
Most embarrassing moments? When Paula Abdul made a grown man like me cry.
Proudest moment? n/a
Your definition of an American Idol? Anybody with heart that can carry a tune.
Favorite judge and why? Randy — he has a real ear for making good music.
What would people be surprised to learn about you? I have an undying love for nature (plants, the ocean).
How has this changed your life? I like the fact that I haven’t had to go back to my day jobs. Lucky charms? My maori fishhook and my lucky drawers.
Heroes? My parents.
Toughest obstacle? n/a
Was the audition process fair? Yes, but so many amazing singers went home.
If you win, who will you thank first? God and my mama.

AND NOW, A WORD FROM OUR SPONSORS ...

For those who can't get enough Idol on TV, the marketing juggernaut continues to roll out. Debra Byrd (known as “Byrd”), who is the vocal coach and vocal arranger for American Idol and Canadian Idol, as well as the American Idol North American music tours, and whose credits include the 2006 High School Musical Tour, ABC-TV’s “All My Children,” various feature films and Broadway shows, has created the Vocal Help Now! DVD to share the singing tips, secrets, and exercises she has previously only shared with world-renowned singers and actors to help maximize their vocal and audition performances. The DVD features appearances by Season 1 Idol winner Kelly Clarkson, as well as finalists Kimberly Caldwell and Anthony Fedorov, Rob James (Canadian Idol, Season 4), James Pickens Jr. ("Grey's Anatomy"), 2005 Tony Award-winner Adriane Lenox and "Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk" writer-producer Zane Mark, among others.

Each DVD purchased will also include a voucher for a free bottle of Vocal-eZe Professional Throat Spray, an herbal product. The company claims Vocal-eZe is endorsed by Tim McGraw, Rob Thomas, Joss Stone, Nickelback, ISM, By All Means Necessary and Alana Grace and has been ordered repeatedly by Sting, Lynard Skynard, Evanescence, Alanis Morissette, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Alison Krauss, Emmylou Harris, Rascal Flatts, Pam Tillis, Mary J Blige, Motley Crue and The Bellamy Brothers. The DVD has a suggested retail price of $19.99 and will be available at Guitar Center beginning March 5, 2007. Orders can also be placed through www.vocalhelpnow.com.

And the cream of the Idol crop is, no doubt, Dreyer's which has created five new "American Idol" flavors for its Edy's brand of slow-churned ice cream: Choc 'N Roll Caramel, Hollywood Cheesecake, Soulful Sundae Cone, Triple Talent and Take the Cake. Consumers can vote here for their slow-churned favorite and be entered to win tickets to Idol's finale show. The winning Dreyer's "American Idol" ice cream flavor will earn a permanent spot in the slow-churned ice-cream line-up. No purchase is necessary.

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