‘Idol’ contestant with Hawaiian background makes top 25
In this image released by Fox, judges from left, Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson listen to contestants on the singing competition series "American Idol." After making it through "Hollywood Week" and the Las Vegas performance rounds, the "American Idol" judges select the semifinalists who will vie for viewer votes in hopes of earning a spot among the Fox singing competition's finalists. (AP Photo/Fox, Michael Becker)
LOS ANGELES >> It’s good news for 25 — not just 24 — singers on “American Idol,” including a teenager born in San Jose, who honed his fallseto voice singing Hawaiian music.
Deadre Brackensick, 17, was unveiled as a finalist Wednesday. He credits his Hawaiian background with helping him succeed.
After the “Hollywood Week” and Las Vegas performance rounds, “Idol” judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler narrowed the field from 42 contestants to 24 semifinalists on Wednesday’s installment of the Fox singing competition, but they apparently cut too many.
At the end of the episode, “Idol” host Ryan Seacrest revealed in a voiceover that “the judges felt compelled to reinstate another guy.” He teased that either Jermaine Jones, Johnny Keyser, Richie Law or David Leathers would be among the male semifinalists next week.
“You did a great job, and you got so far,” Lopez told a weeping Jones after he was dismissed on a stage surrounded by bubbling water at the Wynn Las Vegas resort.
Besides Brackensick, semifinalists unveiled Wednesday were: Adam Brock, 27, Washington, Pa.; Hollie Cavanaugh, 18, McKinney, Texas; Hallie Day, 24, Baltimore; Eben Franckewitz, 15, Loveland, Ohio; Skylar Laine, 18, Brandon, Miss.; Chase Likens, 21, Point Pleasant, W.W.; Shannon Magrane, 16, Tampa, Fla.; Aaron Marcellus, 27, Atlanta; and Jeremy Rosado, 19, Valrico, Fla.
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The semifinalists announced Tuesday were: Baylie Brown, 22, Krum, Texas; Colton Dixon, 20, Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Reed Grimm, 26, Ellsworth, Wis.; Jen Hirsh, 25, Agoura Hills, Calif.; Haley Johnsen, 23, Beaverton, Ore.; Joshua Ledet, 19, Los Angeles; Phillip Phillips, 21, from Leesburg, Ga.; Jessica Sanchez, 16, San Diego; Chelsea Sorrell, 23, Stokesdale, N.C.; Elise Testone, 28, Charleston, S.C.; Erika Van Pelt, 26, South Kingstown, R.I.; and Creighton Fraker, 28, Heejun Han, 22, and Brielle Von Hugel, 17, New York.
The top 13 men will perform live next Tuesday, with the top 12 women taking the stage live Wednesday. Viewer votes will determine which singers will be eliminated Thursday.
