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American Idol is gilding the lily with 13 finalists

By April MacIntyre Mar 4, 2011, 6:29 GMT

Gild a lily already- Steven Tyler - T-Mobile Magenta Carpet At The 2011 NBA All-Star Game - L.A. Live - Los Angeles, CA, USA © Allen Berezovsky / PR Photos

So far, American Idol is less than jake, as the judges out-nice each other and say bizarre things like "You've gilded the lily of your own passion," tonight's salvo from Steven Tyler.

Now we have the Top 13, as the judges chose six contestants tonight to “sing for their lives” in a wild card round: Ashton Jones, Stefano Langone, Kendra Chantelle, Jovanny Barreto, Naima Adedapo and Robbie Rosen.

Ashthon Jones sang Jennifer Hudson’s “Dreamgirls” ballad, “And I Am Telling You,” to accolades, as Jennifer Lopez gushed, “I felt your passion and how much you want to be here, and you deserve to be here.”

Stefano Langone sang “I Need You Now,” which prompted Steven Tyler to yammer that gilded lily bit.

Kendra Chantelle sang “Georgia On My Mind.”  Jovanny Barreto sang Jon Secada’s song, “Angel.”

Rosie Rosen sang Elton John’s “Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.”

Following a really mediocre performance by J Lo, the judges picked Ashthon Jones, Stefano Langone and Naima Adedapo for a second chance at whacking the Idol pinata.

On Wednesday, March 9 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), America’s Top 13 will take the stage to perform songs by their favorite artists.

Tune in the following night, Thursday, March 10 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), to the live results show to see performances by Adam Lambert and Diddy-Dirty Money with Skylar Grey and to find out who receives enough votes to stay in the competition.

The Top 13 from FOX:

Casey Abrams

Hometown: Wilmette, IL

Currently Resides: Idyllwild, CA

Age: 20

Abrams was born in Austin, TX. He has been playing musical instruments for as long as he can remember, including the electric bass, keyboards, guitar, clarinet, guitar and accordion.

Keep up with Casey at:

www.twitter.com/CAbramsAI10 (@CAbramsAI10)

www.facebook.com/CAbramsAI10

www.myspace.com/CAbramsAI10

Naima Adedapo

Hometown: Milwaukee, WI

Currently Resides: Milwaukee, WI

Age: 26

Adedapo graduated with honors with a BFA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee. She has been studying and teaching African dance and hip hop for the last 14 years. She also performs in a Reggae band.

Keep up with Naima at:

www.twitter.com/NAdedapoAI10 (@NAdedapoAI10)

www.facebook.com/NAdedapoAI10

www.myspace.com/NAdedapoAI10

Lauren Alaina

Hometown: Rossville, GA

Currently Resides: Rossville, GA

Age: 16

Alaina is a sophomore at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School in her home state of Georgia. She began singing when she was very young and also enjoys cheerleading.

Keep up with Lauren at:

www.twitter.com/LAlainaAI10 (@LAlainaAI10)

www.facebook.com/LAlainaAI10

www.myspace.com/LAlainaAI10

James Durbin

Hometown: Santa Cruz, CA

Currently Resides: Santa Cruz, CA

Age: 22

Durbin lives with his fiancée, Heidi, and their 22-month-old son, Hunter. Durbin was inspired to start singing by his older sister. He plays guitar and piano, and also enjoys drawing.

Keep up with James at:

www.twitter.com/JDurbinAI10 (@JDurbinAI10)

www.facebook.com/JDurbinAI10

www.myspace.com/JDurbinAI10

Ashthon Jones

Hometown: Valdosta, GA

Currently Resides: Nashville, TN

Age: 24

Jones was raised singing in the youth choir at church and has continued to perform in various venues in Nashville. She enjoys drawing portraits and writing songs.

Keep up with Ashthon at:

www.twitter.com/AJonesAI10 (@AJonesAI10)

www.facebook.com/AJonesAI10

www.myspace.com/AJonesAI10

Stefano Langone

Hometown: Kent, WA

Currently Resides: Kent, WA

Age: 21

Langone graduated from Kentwood High School. He has been singing and playing piano for most of his life. He also enjoys sports and songwriting.

Keep up with Stefano at:

www.twitter.com/SLangoneAI10 (@SLangoneAI10)

www.facebook.com/SLangoneAI10

www.myspace.com/SLangoneAI10

Jacob Lusk

Hometown: Compton, CA

Currently Resides: Compton, CA

Age: 23

Lusk serves as a minister of music at his church, and he also works as a spa concierge. He began singing when he was 4 years old. He also enjoys acting and playing the piano.

Keep up with Jacob at:

www.twitter.com/JLuskAI10 (@JLuskAI10)

www.facebook.com/JLuskAI10

www.myspace.com/JLuskAI10

Scotty McCreery

Hometown: Garner, NC

Currently Resides: Garner, NC

Age: 17

McCreery is a junior at Garner Magnet High School in North Carolina. He began playing guitar in the fifth grade. He loves playing baseball, and is the pitcher on his high school team. He credits his deep voice to impersonating Elvis Presley as a child.

Keep up with Scotty at:

www.twitter.com/SMcCreeryAI10 (@SMcCreeryAI10)

www.facebook.com/SMcCreeryAI10

www.myspace.com/SMcCreeryAI10

Paul McDonald

Hometown: Huntsville, AL

Currently Resides: Nashville, TN

Age: 26

McDonald was born in Auburn, AL, and attended Auburn University for biomedical sciences. He has been singing since he was in the sixth grade. He also plays guitar, piano and mandolin.

Keep up with Paul at:

www.twitter.com/PMcDonaldAI10 (@PMcDonaldAI10)

www.facebook.com/PMcDonaldAI10

www.myspace.com/PMcDonaldAI10

Thia Megia

Hometown: Hayward, CA

Currently Resides: Mountain House, CA

Age: 16

Megia is a sophomore in high school. She plays the guitar and the piano, and has a Chihuahua named Lucky who likes to sing along with her.

Keep up with Thia at:

www.twitter.com/TMegiaAI10 (@TMegiaAI10)

www.facebook.com/TMegiaAI10

www.myspace.com/TMegiaAI10

Haley Reinhart

Hometown: Wheeling, IL

Currently Resides: Wheeling, IL

Age: 20

Reinhart is in her sophomore year at Harper College in Chicago. She began performing when she was 8 years old. She enjoys writing music and poetry and doing improv.

Keep up with Haley at:

www.twitter.com/HReinhartAI10 (@HReinhartAI10)

www.facebook.com/HReinhartAI10

www.myspace.com/HReinhartAI10

Karen Rodriguez

Hometown: New York, NY

Currently Resides: New York, NY

Age: 21

Rodriguez is a student at the Berklee College of Music. She can speak fluent Spanish, and enjoys acting and songwriting.

Keep up with Karen at:

www.twitter.com/KRodriguezAI10 (@KRodriguezAI10)

www.facebook.com/KRodriguezAI10

www.myspace.com/KRodriguezAI10

Pia Toscano

Hometown: Howard Beach, NY

Currently Resides: Howard Beach, NY

Age: 22
 

Toscano began her vocal training at age 12. She is a graduate of the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. She can sing in Italian, and is the lead singer in a cover band. She also works as a freelance makeup artist.

Keep up with Pia at:

www.twitter.com/PToscanoAI10 (@PToscanoAI10)

www.facebook.com/PToscanoAI10

www.myspace.com/PToscanoAI10Stefano Langone