Mini-bios of the first seven semifinalists
“Idol” sent out mini-bios of the first seven semifinalists: Didi Benami, Lee Dewyze, Katelyn Epperly, Todrick Hall, Casey James, Aaron Kelly and Michael Lynche.
Tonight, we get the other 17.
Didi Benami
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 23
Benami’s mother inspired her passion for music by singing to her when she was a little girl. She is currently pursuing a career in music in Los Angeles and is learning to play the guitar and writing songs.
Lee Dewyze
Hometown: Mount Prospect, IL
Currently Resides: Mount Prospect, IL
Age: 23
Dewyze has been performing music since age 16. He graduated from Mount Prospect High School and enjoys playing the guitar and scuba diving.
Katelyn Epperly
Hometown: West Des Moines, IA
Currently Resides: West Des Moines, IA
Age: 19
Epperly was born in Iowa City, IA, and has been singing since she was 2 years old. She is a sophomore at Millikin University in Decatur, IL, and enjoys playing the piano.
Todrick Hall
Hometown: Arlington, TX
Currently Resides: Arlington, TX
Age: 24
Hall grew up in Plainview, TX, and has been singing since age 10. After graduating from Bowie High School in 2003, he went on to perform on cruise ships and in theme parks. (No mention of his alleged musicals that never made it into production.)
Casey James
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Currently Resides: Fort Worth, TX
Age: 27
James has been singing since before he could speak. He enjoys playing the guitar and mandolin, and has been a fulltime musician for the past 10 years.
Aaron Kelly
Hometown: Sonestown, PA
Currently Resides: Sonestown, PA
Age: 16
Kelly lives in Sonestown, PA, and is currently a senior at the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School. He also enjoys songwriting and photography.
Michael Lynche
Hometown: Astoria, NY
Currently Resides: Astoria, NY
Age: 26
Lynche grew up in St. Petersburg, FL, and has been singing since he was in junior high. He played football for the University of Central Florida, and currently works as a personal trainer.
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30 comments Add your comment
Harriett
February 17th, 2010
10:09 am
Interesting, and thanks, Rodney.
Deirdre
February 17th, 2010
10:15 am
Thanks Rodney. It’s a lot easier doing 7 of these than it will be doing 17 tomorrow.
Casey is proving to be very popular on the poll.
Harriett
February 17th, 2010
10:17 am
D, he is my favorite of the guys who’ve made it. Of course, Andrew will probably be after tonight. But, still, I agree with whomever it was that said Casey might not win, but would have a music career. He’s as good as past folks who have done the same.
wreckedpizza
February 17th, 2010
11:18 am
Didi is a pretty young lady and can sing. I worry about her emotions getting the best of her, though. She could be a potential melt-down each week, a la Brooke White. Or maybe she will pull it all together…
Mercedes S.
February 17th, 2010
11:25 am
Harriett, from previous post – what was “Malinda’s neck” (or was it Melinda?) Was she the very good singer who had NO neck?
wreckedpizza
February 17th, 2010
11:27 am
I hope nothing but wonderful things happen for Shelby. I didn’t figure they would put her through (I echo Rickster’s comments) but I was very impressed by her. Would love to see someone give her an opportunity down the road.
And since Judy is still jonesing over Justin, I will mention again that I am still sad that Eric Rhoads is gone. You know, my Barney Girl with a Whip! Now THAT was a star shutdown way too early…
Harriett
February 17th, 2010
11:28 am
Yes. I don’t rememeber the spelling. I have a friend who spells it with the A–Malinda. Guess that’s where I got it. She got criticism about her physical shortcomings, rather than her vocal ability at times.
wreckedpizza
February 17th, 2010
11:28 am
Dadgumit—should be ERICA Rhoads, not Eric!
Harriett
February 17th, 2010
11:29 am
Obviously can’t spell at ALL! Remember!
Deirdre
February 17th, 2010
11:35 am
wreckedpizza!!!! As you know, Diana DeGarmo and Ace Young are taking over the leads in Hair. But did you know that they’ve both agreed to the famous(or infamous) nude scene!?
wreckedpizza
February 17th, 2010
11:39 am
No, Deirdre, I, uh, did not, uh, know that about Diana. Heart now racing, feeling sweaty, can someone call the paramedics???!!??
When did this info become available (and how can I be there)???
Mike S
February 17th, 2010
11:43 am
Ace Young nude.. an image I did not need this early in the morning… UGH!
Was happy with most of the decisions last night. Mary Powers was already on my last nerve, glad she is gone. Her ‘confidence’ far outweighed her talent.
Was dissapointed to see the cop get the boot, the wife and I really liked him.
Was extremely unhappy with the decision on Shelby, Wife and I loved her! I noticed Simon said “that was the wrong decision” as she was told she was out. Wonder if she might turn up on X-factor next year.
Of the 7 that got through I am really high on Big Mike, Casey and Didi. Lee has potential, as does Todrick. Not overly impressed with Katelyn so far, and Boy band wannabe Aaron can’t leave soon enough.
JTesla
February 17th, 2010
11:44 am
Deirdre, that is both the best and the worst news all wrapped into one sentence. You had me at Diana, you lost me at Ace. Nope, it’s gone.
Rickster
February 17th, 2010
11:45 am
Total change of topic (but still Idol related) – my wife bought me Phil Stacey’s CD for Christmas, and I’ve finally gotten around to loading it on my computer so I can listen to it.
It’s pretty good!
wreckedpizza
February 17th, 2010
11:54 am
Oh, D mentioned Ace Young? I just saw the words “Diana DeGarmo” and “nude scene” and away I went! My brain must have filtered out the rest of that post.
Deirdre
February 17th, 2010
12:00 pm
Wow! I didn’t expect y’all to jump that fast! Calm yourself wp and get a ticket to NYC as soon as possible.
wreckedpizza
February 17th, 2010
12:03 pm
I believe they need to make “Hair” a traveling production and bring it to Hotlanta. Yep, that’s what I believe. Never been to NYC and it would probably chew me up and spit me back out! And I wouldn’t enjoy that a bit!
JTesla
February 17th, 2010
12:03 pm
Ticket to NYC… check. Hey does anyone know if it is frowned upon to fap during a Broadway play?
Rickster, Phil Stacey is a good guy. Nice to hear that he is moving merchandise.
Deirdre
February 17th, 2010
12:04 pm
In other Idol news, rumors are flying that Idol is chatting with Paula Deen…yes! THAT Paula Deen….Nobody knows why but I think we can safely assume that she isn’t being groomed to take over for Simon.
Deirdre
February 17th, 2010
12:07 pm
Here you go:
http://www.myfoxny.com/dpp/entertainment/broadway/diana-degarmo-ace-young-hair-100216
wreckedpizza
February 17th, 2010
12:07 pm
Maybe Paula Deen is going to fix some of her buttery good treats for future Idol contestants. Yum!
Rickster
February 17th, 2010
12:15 pm
In addition to my previous comments about Shelby Dressell, I was truly impressed by the way she handled herself when they told her she would not be going through to the live shows. Yes, she got emotional (who wouldn’t?) But composed herself and walked out with more class than Jessica “I’ve got it” Furney could imagine in her wildest dreams.
If I was a record producer… I’d be scouring the phone books for for her home town to contact her family. She’s talented and has a very good fan base.
Rickster
February 17th, 2010
12:16 pm
Heck… if I were Simon I’d have given Shelby my card and told her “call me – collect, so we can work something out.
wreckedpizza
February 17th, 2010
12:18 pm
Rickster, I agree with you 100%.
Rickster
February 17th, 2010
12:40 pm
American Idol Simon Cowell Replacement Audtions: Paula Dean
“Sugar, you got a voice as sweet as lemon box pie. But you’re so skinny! We gotta fatten you up some or you’ll blow away in a stiff breeze. Here… have some chicken and dumplings with mashed potatoes, apple cobbler and a big ol’ class of mil to wash it down. That’ll put some meat on your bones and ooooh boy is that good!”
Rickster
February 17th, 2010
12:49 pm
or ‘milk’ even!
Rickster
February 17th, 2010
12:49 pm
JT… fap?
Rickster
February 17th, 2010
12:50 pm
Or do I not want to know?
JTesla
February 17th, 2010
1:09 pm
You don’t want to know.
Rodney Ho
February 17th, 2010
1:10 pm
About to talk to Danny Gokey in 10 minutes. He’s coming to Atlanta March 2, day of his album release. I bet he’s going to be super earnest, eh? New blog entry up…