These are the official photos and bios provided by American Idol. Thank you to Wolfstar and LA Woman 3 for their very helpful links :)
AI also provided a questionnaire that was answered by each contestant. For the sake of space—and to avoid mind-numbingly repetitive answers (Who is your hero in life? Yeah, yeah, your parents, your grandparents, your legal guardian, we get it!), I’ve only included two questions/responses per contestant. If you would like to read their full responses, click here then click on the performer of your choice.
Ladies first:
Ayla Brown17-year-old from Wrentham, MA (Auditioned in Boston)
Ayla is currently a senior at Noble & Greenough High School. She is captain of her basketball team and has scored over 2,200 points. Ayla will be attending Boston College in the fall on a full basketball scholarship. She got her start in the world of music while singing along to Disney movies at the age of 6.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Yes.
Who are your heroes in life? People who serve in the armed forces - like my Dad.
.
Becky O'Donohue25-year-old from Dobbs Ferry, NY (Auditioned in Boston)
Becky began singing at the age of 4. Becky attended Niagara University on a full scholarship and received her B.A. in Communications. Singing isn't her only talent. Becky played Division I basketball for Niagara University. Currently, she is working for an entertainment company and as a waitress in City Island.
Do you think the audition process was fair? As fair as it could be, everyone was given the same opportunity.
How has this changed your life? It hasn't yet, but the possibility is there.
.
Brenna Gethers25-year-old from Mt. Vernon, NY (Auditioned in Boston)
Born in the Bronx and raised in Mt. Vernon, NY, Brenna began singing at the tender age of 3. Brenna holds a black belt in Shotokan karate and is an avid Scrabble competitor.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Yes.
If you win, who will you thank first? I would thank God first, then my mom, FOX, American Idol, 19, and everyone associated with these entities. [Sheesh, Elvis.]
.
Heather Cox22-year-old from Jonesville, NC (Auditioned in Denver)
Heather currently lives in her hometown of Jonesville, NC, and recently graduated from Surry Community College with an accounting degree.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Yes.
What would people be surprised to learn about you? I have a crooked toe and I can speak in a secret language.
.
Katharine McPhee21-year-old from Sherman Oaks, CA (Auditioned in San Francisco)
Katharine was born and raised in Los Angeles. She was exposed at an early age to the joy of singing by her mother, a vocal coach. After high school, Katharine attended the prestigious Boston Conservatory for one semester and majored in musical theater.
Do you think the audition process was fair? No, they let go of some really good people and kept people who were pretty.
What are your personal goals in life? Have a great family, healthy relationships, give to others who are needy and be a kick ass performer.
.
Kellie Pickler19-year-old from Albemarle, NC (Auditioned in Greensboro)
Kellie is a waitress who currently lives in Albemarle, NC, and enjoys singing, dancing and shopping for shoes. Kellie has been singing for as long as she can remember, but only began performing for crowds four years ago.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Yes.
What is your definition of an AMERICAN IDOL? Kellie Dawn Pickler.
.
Kinnik Sky28-year-old from Duluth, GA (Auditioned in Greensboro)
Born and raised in Columbia, SC, Kinnik began singing at the age of 4, and considers her singing style "old school soul." For the past eight years, she has been living in Duluth, GA, where she works as a professional actress at various theaters.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Process - yes. Sometimes I didn't agree with the decisions.
What's been your toughest obstacle in life? My divorce.
.
Lisa Tucker16-year-old from Anaheim, CA (Auditioned in Denver)
Lisa is currently a senior at Kennedy High School. She was the original "Young Nala" in Disney's Los Angeles production of "The Lion King" and was voted by Variety as one of the "Top Ten Talents to Watch." Lisa also plays the guitar and piano and is a songwriter.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Yes.
If you don't make it on AMERICAN IDOL, what will you do? I will start college and continue to pursue my singing career.
.
Mandisa Hundley29-year-old from Antioch, TN (Auditioned in Chicago)
Born and raised in Citrus Heights, CA, Mandisa moved to Nashville to study singing at Fisk University. She has performed with such artists as Shania Twain, Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill and Charlie Daniels.
Do you think the audition process was fair? I believe it was fair. However, there were some amazing people that were cut early on. I can't reconcile that in my mind.
What's been your toughest obstacle in life? My battle with weight has been the biggest struggle of my life. But I am overcoming day by day and will be victorious.
[Mandisa’s responses were the best of the bunch—it was hard to choose just two. Click here to read them all.]
.
Melissa McGhee21-year-old from Tampa, FL (Auditioned in Denver)
Melissa was born and raised in Tampa. At the young age of 4 Melissa embarked on her performing career. A true romantic, Melissa enjoys singing, dancing and going to the beach in her free time.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Very.
What has been your proudest moment in life so far? Where I am in my life right now, I have overcome so much.
.
Paris Bennett17-year-old from Fayetteville, GA (Auditioned in Greensboro)
Paris began singing at the age of 4. She has performed in numerous concerts and has opened for many groups, including Bow Wow. Paris is a skilled dancer in hip-hop, jazz and modern African dance.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Yes.
Do you have any formal singing training? Trained by my mother Jamecice Bennett and Grandmother Ann Nesby
.
Stevie Scott19-year-old from Fair Oaks, CA (Auditioned in Denver)
Stevie is currently a freshman at California State University, Sacramento, studying music. She is from a musical family, began performing at 10, and by the age of 15, began a recording career. A versatile musician who plays the guitar and piano, Stevie enjoys performing everything from R&B to opera.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Mostly. They were gracious in some situations & a little tougher in others.
If you win, who will you thank first? My savior, Jesus Christ.
.
And the guys:
Ace Young25-year-old from Los Angeles, CA (Auditioned in Denver)
Ace is the youngest of five brothers. Ace grew up in Boulder, CO, and began his singing career at age 9. He started performing at 11 in local malls and recreation centers. Ace lives in Los Angeles and works in sales and home remodeling.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Totally.
How has this changed your life? Self realization. I'm actually good at this! That's something a lot of people never get to know.
.
Bobby Bennett19-year-old from Denver, CO (Auditioned in Denver)
Bobby has been singing from the age of 7. He dreams of becoming a performer so he can make people forget about their troubles for a little while. Before making the Final 24, Bobby worked at Target.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Yes, it was long, though...there are somethings I don't agree with, but fair, yes.
How has this changed your life? On a scale of 1-10, this would change my life to a 100.
.
Bucky Covington28-year-old from Rockingham, NC (Auditioned in Greensboro)
Bucky lives in his hometown of Rockingham, NC. At the age of 19, he picked up a guitar for the first time and soon after joined his first band. About two years ago, Bucky switched to a country/beach/rock band and realized that his talent crosses many types of music.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Yes.
If you don't make it on AMERICAN IDOL, what will you do? Move to Nashville and keep trying.
.
Chris Daughtry26-year-old from McLeansville, NC (Auditioned in Denver)
Chris discovered his singing ability in algebra class. A gifted guitar player and songwriter, Chris has already recorded a CD with his band Absent Element. For the past three years, Chris has been a service advisor for a car dealership in Greensboro, NC. In 2000, Chris married his wife Deanna and became a stepfather of two.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Yes.
How has this changed your life? I'm living my dream now.
.
David Radford17-year-old from Crystal Lake, IL (Auditioned in Chicago)
David is currently a senior at Crystal Lake Central High School. He has been singing "his way" since he can remember. As a child, whenever there was a spotlight, David somehow found a way to its center. In addition to singing, David plays the trumpet as well as a mean game of Ping-Pong.
Do you think the audition process was fair? I don't know.
What's been your toughest obstacle in life? Honestly, for a while, it was my ego.
.
Elliott Yamin27-year-old from Richmond, VA (Auditioned in Boston)
Elliott began singing at the ripe age of 5. His mother, who was a professional singer, is his inspiration and biggest fan. For Elliott, being on AMERICAN IDOL has allowed him to pursue his dream of singing professionally.
Do you think the audition process was fair? For the most part, however I've seen some really talented singers go home.
What would people be surprised to learn about you? Probably that I wear an insulin pump.
.
Gedeon McKinney17-year-old from Memphis, TN (Auditioned in Chicago)
Gedeon hails from a family of seven children (four boys and three girls). Too young to join the choir, Gedeon sang on the steps of a church for his first standing ovation. He is a senior at The Yo! Memphis Academy of Visual and Performing Arts.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Very fair - they chose real talent.
Who is your favorite judge and why? Simon because he keeps it real, whatever he says 95% of the time is true about that person's style.
.
Jose "Sway" Penala28-year-old from South San Francisco (Auditioned in San Francisco)
Sway enters the competition making his own music. Before joining IDOL, he was a member of the 6th Day singing group. Jose spends his days working in real estate and his nights entertaining crowds through song.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Yes.
If you don't make it on AMERICAN IDOL, what will you do? Real estate.
.
Kevin Covais16-year-old from Levittown, NY (Auditioned in Boston)
Kevin is a junior at Island Trees High School in Levittown, NY. He has been performing since he was 10 years old and has appeared in productions such as "Guys and Dolls" and "Godspell." Kevin also is a member of the Chorale in the Metropolitan Youth Orchestra and the Nassau/Suffolk Jazz ensemble.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Yes, even though so many people had to go home.
What would people be surprised to learn about you? I listen to rap music.
.
Patrick Hall27-year-old from Gravette, AR (Auditioned in Las Vegas)
Patrick was born in a small town in Arkansas and began singing in church at age 4. Since then he has been pursuing his singing career while also working as a real estate manager. In 2005, Patrick married his longtime friend Laura, and they currently live with their two cats and a puppy.
Do you think the audition process was fair? Very much so.
Who is your favorite judge and why? Tough Questions. The loss of anyone would create quite a vacuum.
.
Taylor Hicks29-year-old from Birmingham, AL (Auditioned in Las Vegas)
Taylor is a blue-eyed soul singer who has played every honky-tonk imaginable. A talented writer and harmonica player, Taylor enters the competition with almost 29 years of singing experience, as he has been singing since he could crawl.
Do you think the audition process was fair? It's been fair so far.
What other talents do you have? This is it.
.
Will Makar16-year-old from The Woodlands, TX (Auditioned in Austin)
Will was born and raised in The Woodlands, TX. Will is currently a sophomore at The Woodlands College Park High School. He discovered his talent after his two sisters made him sing "Bare Necessities" for their friends. In 1999 and 2002, Will sang with the Houston Children's Chorus for President Clinton and President Bush, respectively. People would be surprised to know that Will can impersonate Chewbacca from "Star Wars."
Do you think the audition process was fair? As fair as it can be.
What are your personal goals in life? Sing at Superbowl. Win a Grammy.
.
During the semi-finals, American Idol will air three nights a week—Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday—at 8/7c. And next Tuesday and Wednesday’s shows will be super-sized, two hours each. Bring the popcorn! :)
Whew!
and