American Idol Fan Site | Who got voted off American Idol

American Idol is down to the Top 8. So who are considered the Top Contenders? Let’s here is for the girls.

Melinda Doolittle, Lakisha Jones and Jordin Sparks of Glendale are the front-runners to be crowned the sixth “American Idol.”

After a record 33 million votes were cast, the nine remaining contestants were divided into groups of three according to the number of votes each received, and Doolittle, Jones and Sparks were the top three.

Barring something crazy, like the vocally challenged but wildly popular Sanjaya Malakar crashing the party in the final weeks, the bigvoiced trio should still be standing as the show counts down to its finale.

Here is a closer look at the three favorites:

Lakisha Jones

Strengths: The biggest voice in the competition, a rich, powerful instrument that enables her to belt out tunes like “And I Am Telling You, I’m Not Going” (made famous by former “Idol” contestant Jennifer Hudson in “Dreamgirls”) and the pop standard “Stormy Weather” with power and precision.

Weaknesses: Judges Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell have had little to quibble about in terms of her singing, but the fashion-conscious Cowell has ripped the plus-size Jones for her wardrobe choices, saying during British Invasion week that the singer looked like LaKisha “in 50 years” when she wore an electric green dress.

Will win if: She can get through the country music week (with guest Martina McBride), which almost derailed another big-voiced “Idol” hopeful in season two, eventual winner Ruben Studdard.

Melinda Doolittle

Strengths: Besides having a tremendous voice, her stage presence is impeccable, selling each song as if she were the one who wrote it.

Weaknesses: Has yet to show a weakness, although Cowell has said about the professional backup singer that he is “concerned about the lack of confidence about the fact that you’ve been in the background.” There is no bigger spotlight on TV than singing on “American Idol.”

Will win if: She can survive the week when Jon Bon Jovi is the guest celebrity. Doolittle has proved adept at singing ballads, but can she compete with Jones on the rockers?

Jordin Sparks

Strengths: Has the complete package — a pretty girl with a great voice — that judges want to see. Past winners such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood combined good looks with great voices on their way to the title.

Weaknesses: The judges have made an issue of Sparks’ age (she is 17, while Jones is 27 and Doolittle is 29), questioning her musical maturity, and while her voice is stellar, during the first half of some of her performances she has appeared tight before relaxing for a big finish. As of now, she is a half-step behind Jones and Doolittle.

Will win if: LaKisha and Melinda stumble.

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