NEW YORK (Top40 Charts) - Auditions ended tonight for the eighth season as the Top 36 semi-finalists were revealed by Simon, Paula, Randy and Kara. It's now up to
America to decide who advances in the competition and moves one step closer to become the next American Idol.A^ The 36 hopefuls will be split into three groups of 12, and for three consecutive weeks, one group will perform each week. The live performance shows air Tuesday, February 17 8/7c, Wednesday, February 25 8/7c and Tuesday, March 3 8/7c on FOX.
At the end of each performance show, viewers will be able to vote for their favorite contestants for at least two hours in their region.A^ Fans can use the branded toll-free telephone numbers until 12:00 AM ET/PT (11:00PM CT/MT), subject to time zone restrictions.A^ Additionally, for two hours at the end of the show in their region, AT&T Wireless subscribers can use their cell phones and text the word "Vote" to the four-digit short number representing the contestant of their choice.
Then on the weekly live results shows airing Wednesday, February 18 8/7c, Thursday, February 26 8/7c and Wednesday, March 4 8/7c, Ryan Seacrest will announce the three semin-finalists -- the top male, the top female and the next top vote-recipient -- America has chosen to move on in the competition.
On Thursday, March 5 8/7c, the special "Wild Card" episode will feature the judges' favorite remaining contestants battling it out live for a coveted spot in the next phase of the competition.
The Top female seminfinalists are:
Alexis Grace
Allison Iraheta
Ann Marie Boskovich
Arianna Afsar
Casey Carlson
Felicia Barton
Jackie Tohn
Jasmine Murray
Jeanine Vailes
Jessie Langseth
Kendall Beard
Kristen McNamara
Lil Rounds
Megan Corkrey
Mishavonna Henson
Stevie Wright
Tatiana Nicole Del Toro
Taylor Vaifanua
The Top male seminfinalists are:
Adam Lambert
Alexander Wagner-Trugman
Anoop Desai
Brent Keith
Danny Gokey
Jorge Nunez
Ju'Not Joyner
Kai Kalama
Kris Allen
Matt Breitzke
Matt Giraud
Michael Sarver
Nathaniel Marshall
Nick Mitchell
Ricky Braddy
Scott MacIntyre
Stephen Fowler
Von Smith
(Note: It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition. Felicia Barton has replaced Ms. Pacitti as part of the Top 36.)
