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'Idol' Sends Streaky-Haired Hopeful Home

By ERIN CARLSON,
AP
Posted: 2008-03-20 10:43:31
Filed Under: American Idol, TV News, Reality TV
NEW YORK (March 20) - Amanda Overmyer sang "Back in the U.S.S.R." And now, she's going back home.

The 23-year-old nurse from Mulberry, Ind., was voted off "American Idol" Wednesday, leaving 10 hopefuls to vie for the title and record contract.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Eliminated: Chikezie Eze

Age: 22 | Hometown: Inglewood, Calif.
Background: Chikezie made it to Hollywood in season six but fell short of the Top 24.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Eliminated: Amanda Overmyer

Age: 23 | Hometown: Mulberry, Ind. Background: The Harley-riding, rock 'n' roll nurse survived a bad car accident after her Atlanta audition.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Eliminated: David Hernandez

Age: 24 | Hometown: Glendale, Ariz.
Background: After suffering from nerves during his San Diego audition, David wowed the judges during Hollywood week with his rendition of 'Love the One You're With.'

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

David Archuleta

Age: 17 | Hometown: Murray, Utah
Background: David won the junior singer category of 'Star Search' in 2003. He overcame vocal paralysis to audition in San Diego.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Jason Castro

Age: 20 | Hometown: Rockwall, Texas
Background: Jason starred as the love interest of the title character in the MTV series 'Cheyenne.'

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Brooke White

Age: 24 | Hometown: Mesa, Ariz.
Background: The nanny, who claims to have never seen an R-rated movie released an album, 'Songs From the Attic,' in 2005 and reportedly opened for Phil Vassar on tour.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

David Cook

Age: 25 | Hometown: Blue Springs, Mo.
Background: David was a fixture in the Heartland music scene in the bands Midwest Kings and Axium. He released a solo album, 'Analog Heart.'

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Michael Lee Johns

Age: 29 | Hometown: Los Angeles
Background: The native Australian fronted a band, The Rising, which was once signed to Maverick.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Carly Smithson

Age: 23 | Hometown: San Diego
Background: The native Irish singer tried out for season 5, but visa problems disqualified her. Under her maiden name, Carly Hennessy, she released a record, 'Ultimate High,' for MCA in 2001.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Ramiele Malubay

Age: 20 | Hometown: Miramar, Fla.
Background: The Filipino-American stands only 4'11" and aspires to be the next Jasmine Trias (season 3).

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Syesha Mercado

Age: 21 | Hometown: Sarasota, Fla.
Background: The daughter of a Motown singer, Syesha appeared as a contestant on the short-lived ABC reality competition, 'The One: Making a Music Star.'

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Kristy Lee Cook

Age: 24 | Hometown: Selma, Ore.
Background: The horseback-riding, cage-fighting country singer was once signed by Arista (and linked to Britney Spears' production company).



Overmyer - a crowd-pleasing performer with streaked hair and a flair for southern rock - seemed to take her departure from the Fox show in stride.

"It's been a run. ... No. 11 out of all them people is more than I could expect," she told host Ryan Seacrest.

Carly Smithson and Kristy Lee Cook were the other lowest vote-getters.

Cook, a 24-year-old from Selma, Ore., has been a bottom-three fixture in the past weeks and the finalist that judge Simon Cowell picks on the most.

Cowell - who has called Cook "forgettable" and compared her voice to "Dolly Parton on helium" - continued his harsh criticism Tuesday after the country singer's take on the Beatles' "You've Got to Hide Your Love Away."

"(You're) like musical wallpaper, insomuch as you notice it, but you can't remember it," he said. "And that's what you're doing week after week: You're making no impact."

Cook talked back to the acid-tongued judge, saying: "I can blow you out of your socks, and you know it."

Wednesday's "Idol" featured a performance by season-five finalist Kellie Pickler.

Seacrest also announced this year's roster of celebrity mentors: Parton, Mariah Carey, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Neil Diamond.



Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.
2008-03-20 06:50:40
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186 comments

AltaraLynX 01:39:43 PM Mar 25 2008

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Never watching Idol again. Amanda was the best! I can't believe she got the least votes. Is there a skunk in the wood pile called Idol

thriving sobi 12:34:21 AM Mar 25 2008

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So long freaky chick.

PS: You are NOT A NURSE! DME delivery staff are not RN's

starpatchsam 11:24:42 AM Mar 24 2008

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The winner is still around that is.. David Cook!!!!

IAMONTOYAHA2 05:19:23 AM Mar 24 2008

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She had the best voice on that show. Just cuz she didn't have pretty blond hair and sing country...blech! The show lost it's best entertainer in a long time.

cattleman1011 10:13:29 PM Mar 23 2008

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Amanda was the best by far David Archeletta DONNIE OSMOND has got to go

daudrille 05:51:30 PM Mar 23 2008

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Amanda needed to to. All her songs sounded the same. You couldn't understand her and she really never sang to the crowd, only to the floor.

Courjohn 12:21:30 PM Mar 23 2008

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It's all just a big snooze fest to me, i rather watch a Brady Bunch marathon BORING!!!!!!

traranmill 03:25:39 AM Mar 23 2008

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Amanda was aweful.......... She could only sing male songs. She screamed out every song. David Archuletta is very talented. Also Christy Lee Cook sucks. I'm glad the girl got the boot.

xkglady 01:02:47 AM Mar 23 2008

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Michael Lee Johns and David Cook should be the last two standing. I do realize that David Archuleta will be a teen idol as would Jason Castro, they would sell well for the teenie boppers, and this would be the reason they would be in the top two.

xkglady 12:59:46 AM Mar 23 2008

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Amanda Overmyer and David Hernandez were wronged. Their past lives may have been their demise, however, in talent, they were much stronger than Ramiele, Syesha, Chikezie, Kristi and Brook. The next that need to go are those I just mentioned, how they've remained, is not a surprise, but is ashame that two better talents were voted off sooner.
Now, Michael Lee Johns, David Cook, David Archuleta, Jason Castro are the strongest of the contestants, also Carly...whom I believe due to her showing off her tatoo, she's getting flack for her singing, she's very strong with her vocal talent.
Would love to hear Michael Lee Johns sing; "Never My Love," by the Associations, and David Cook sing, "A Whiter Shade of Pale," by Procol Hurium

LisaM9fan 12:20:22 PM Mar 22 2008

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I like Amanda .. she can sing .. I just don't believe she ever really picked the right song .. Kristy needs to go .. I'm not saying she can't sing but she hasn't sounded good since her audition .. This is suppose to be a talent contest .. not a popularity contest .. That's what's wrong with this show .. Archuletta sings alright but if he wins I agree his career will go no where.

booboo9252 09:55:37 AM Mar 22 2008

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i glad amonda is gone she sounded like the drunk chic at the bar who would get up and sing at 130am

perkinspaints 09:15:51 PM Mar 21 2008

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All you Kristy lee cook haters need to shut up, just because you hate her does not meen every one does, i really like kristy, she sing's very well, she sings country music thats why i like her, GO KRISTY

peggydlhk 08:19:23 PM Mar 21 2008

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American Idol will be a big bore with Amanda gone. The other ones were just the same old same old . Amanda was refresshing and different. I always felt America accepted different....

starpatchsam 10:10:57 AM Mar 21 2008

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STARBLUE.. You must not have looked at her that good the girl is skinny!

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