American Idol has narrowed its 104 Hollywood Week hopefuls down to 77 thirteenth-season contestants following the Group Round during Thursday night's broadcast of the Fox reality singing competition.
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Last night's episode began with the 104 remaining contestants -- who survived the "Hollywood or Home Round" and the initial round of solo performances in Hollywood -- taking part in the Group Round of the competition. The singers broke up into groups of three or four members and were given a list of songs to choose from.
American Idol judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. told the contestants they'd be looking for great "choreography, harmony and unique performances."
A couple of groups were shown advancing to the next "final solo" round in their entirety. One group of country singers was comprised of Casey Thrasher, a 22-year-old musician from Tuscaloosa, AL; Dexter Roberts, a 22-year-old dog trainer and farm hand from Fayette, AL; and Ben Briley, a 24-year-old server from Gallatin, TN.
The second group whose members all advanced was comprised of Malaya Watson, a 16-year-old student from Southfield, MI; Christina Collins, a 17-year-old student from Houston, TX; Olivia Diamond, a 22-year-old student from Detroit, MI; and Queen Bulls, an 18-year-old student from Ypsilante, MI.
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Many groups were broken up because they featured some standout singers and a weak link or two.
The following female singers were shown advancing to the next round out of their given group: Sarina Joi Crowe, an 18-year-old student from Columbia, TN; Brandy Neelly, an 18-year-old fitness center receptionist from Louisville, KY; Emily Priz, a 17-year-old student from Orlando, FL; Kenzie Hall, a 17-year-old student from Draper, UT; Paula Hunt, a 20-year-old Air Force band specialist from Bellevue, NE; Andrina Brogden, a 19-year-old shoe store employee from Fargo, ND; Briana Oakley, a 17-year-old student from Antioch, CA; Megan Miller, a 23-year-old media consultant from Ethel, LA; Jena Asciutto, a 17-year-old student from Farmington Hills, MI; Sikenya Thompson, a 19-year-old student from Saginaw, MI; Cara Watson, an unemployed 19-year-old from Shreveport, LA; Jessica Meuse, a 23-year-old student from Slapout, AL; and Nica Nashae, a 24-year-old student from Milledaeville, GA.
The list of male singers who advanced to the next round out of their given groups are as follows: Caleb Johnson, a 22-year-old musician from Asheville, NC; C.J. Harris, a 22-year-old guitar teacher from Jasper, Al; David Oliver Willis, a 22-year-old coffee shop owner from Mount Dora, FL; George Lovett, a 24-year-old student from Baltimore, MD; Neco Starr, a 22-year-old personal assistant from Atlanta, GA; Spencer Lloyd, a 19-year-old worship leader from Bryant, AR; Savion Wright, a 21-year-old student from Jasper, TX; and Emmanuel Zidor, a 24-year-old airline ramp agent from Miami, FL.
The contestants who were shown being cut during the Group Round are: Tony Foster Jr., a 26-year-old retail employee from Oklahoma City, OK; Alyssa Siebken, a 20-year-old retail assistant manager from Tremont, NE; Keith London, a 21-year-old handyman from Hazleton, PA; Austin Percario, an 18-year-old student from Warren, NJ; Stephanie Petronelli, a 23-year-old cheerleader from West Bridgewater, MA; Adam Roth, a 28-year-old sound healer from Sacramento, CA; Tyler Ahlgren, a 20-year-old musician from Circleville, KS; Matthew Hamel, a 16-year-old student from Fredericktown, MO; Allie Odom, a 15-year-old student from Cumming, GA; John Fox, a 20-year-old worship leader from Magnolia, TX; Stephanie Hanvey, a 16-year-old lifeguard from Howell, NJ; Terrica Curry, a 20-year-old rec center staff from North Little Rock, AR; and Carmen Delgina, a 24-year-old resale clerk from Las Vegas, NV.
In addition, singer Tiquila Wilson, a 24-year-old funeral home singer from Winston Salem, NC, quit the competition because her heart just wasn't in it due to the fact she's a soul singer.
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Next week's American Idol broadcast will feature the remaining singers taking the stage one last time in Hollywood with a solo performance.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski