The Lowdown On American Idol's New Finalists

Posted by Mitch Michaels on 02.15.2008

All you need to know about this year's Top 24, including which one dated Britney Spears...

On Wednesday night, "American Idol" named their Top 12 guys and girls, who will compete in the upcoming live rounds for this season's top prize beginning next Tuesday.

"American Idol" Season 7 Final 24

The Guys
David Archuleta, 17, Murray, Utah - has been called "The Soul man from Utah," the "Soul Midget King," "Mini Motown Monster" and a singing prodigy. Performed on "Jenny Jones" and "Star Search", where he won the Junior Singer category in 2003. Comes from a musical family - his mother sings both Spanish and English pop music, his dad is a jazz trumpet player. Began singing at the age of 6 when he memorized several songs from the "Les Miserables" 10th anniversary concert.

Colton Berry, 18, Staunton, Virginia - Graduate of Wilson Memorial High School. A veteran of performing and directing several plays, including "The Wiz", "Aida", "Beauty & The Beast", "Les Miserables", "Little Shop Of Horrors" and "Jekyll & Hyde".Appeared in "Showtime At the Apollo On Tour" at Charlottesville's Paramount Theatre as a soloist and also sang in France with the French-American Gospel Music Workshop Exchange.

Robbie Carrico, 26, Melbourne, Florida - Used to be a part of a group called Boyz N Girlz United, who opened for Britney Spears in 1999. He also briefly dated Britney Spears. He works for his father as a painter.

Jason Castro, 20, Rockwall, Texas - Was once thedrummer for a Dallas-based rock band called Keeping Lions, appeared on the MTV reality show "Cheyenne" as singer Cheyenne Kimball's boyfriend. Also appeared in Cheyenn's first music video and Keeping Lions opened for several of her shows. Graduate of Rowlett High School and attended Texas A&M University, where he majored in construction science.

David Cook, 25, Tulsa, Oklahoma - Singer/songwriter with an indie solo album, Analog Heart. A Missouri native, he has been a fixture of Tulsa's local music scene, playing in bands such as the Midwest Kings and Axium, until recently launching his career as a solo artist.

Chikezie Eze, 22, Inglewood, California - Made it to Hollywood in Season 6, as well. Began singing when he was 13 years old. Worked as a T.S.A. (Transportation Security Administration) screener and a cashier. Studied singing at Santa Monica College.

Garrett Haley, 17, Elida, Ohio - Originally from Colorado and now a junior at Elida High School. He began singing in elementary school and has performed in local talent shows and high school musicals.

David Hernandez, 24, Glendale, Arizona - Began singing at age 6. He has performed at Urban Network Events, "Arizona Idol" and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Parade. A member of the bands Tribét and Straight Up.

Danny Noriega, 18, Azusa, California - Has been singing his entire life. A recent high school graduate who also likes to dance.

Luke Menard, 29, Crawfordsville, Indiana - Began singing when he was a freshman in high school. Earned a B.A. in Communications from Millikin University in Decatur, Illinois. Worked for a finance company in Chicago. Toured with an a cappella group called Chapter 6.

Jason Yeager, 28, Branson, Missouri - Originally from Grand Prairie, Texas. Began singing when he was 2 years old. A member boy band True This. Plays guitar, piano and drums.

Michael Johns, 29, Los Angeles, California - Born in Perth, Australia. Moved to the U.S. in 1998 to attend Abraham Baldwin Agriculture College in Tifton, Georgia, then moved to Atlanta to pursue singing. Plays the guitar. Former member of a band called The Rising.

The Girls

Amanda Overmyer, 23, Mulberry, Indiana - A health-care specialistearning a bachelor's degree in business management. Lead singer for the band Steeleto. Motorcycle enthusiast and Janis Joplin soundalike..

Brooke White, 24, Van Nuys, California - Grew up in Mesa, Arizona. Worked as a nanny. She has performed as a solo artist with a backup band. Began singing at age 15 and also plays the piano and guitar.

Joanne Borgella, 25, Hoboken, New Jersey - Born in New York. Singing since she was 3 years old. Former plus size model.

Kristy Lee Cook, 24, Selma, Oregon - Born in Seattle, Washington. Cook has sung for crowds since she was 13 years old. Formerly raised and trained horses. She plays the piano and was a member of the band Sixshooter.

Amy Davis, 25, Cedar Lake, Indiana - Raised in Lowell, IN. A graduate student at Purdue University where she previously earned a B.S. in Horticulture. Began singing for her family at age 5 and has since performed with numerous groups, including the Amy Davis Trio and Echoes of Pompeii, a Pink Floyd tribute band.

Asia'h Epperson, 19, Joplin, Missouri - Singing since she was 3 years old. Former waitress. Enjoys dancing and acting and also has a passion for makeup and fashion.

Alexandrea Lushington, 17, Douglasville, Georgia - Began singing in her grandfather's church when she was just 2 years old. Currently a junior at Douglas County High School, where she sings in the school choir and is a member of the drama club. Also plays the piano.

Kady Malloy, 18, Houston, Texas - Started singing "as soon as she could talk". Sang in local restaurants and while attending community college. Also is good at vocal impressions.

Ramiele Malubay, 20, Miramar, Florida - Born in Saudi Arabia and spent her early years in the Philippines. Singing since she was 12 years old. College student and hostess at a sushi bar. Also plays the piano and guitar.

Syesha Mercado, 21, Miami, Florida - Grew up in Sarasota, Florida. A member of The Drum Studio All-Stars band and has a strong background in theatre and dancing. Began singing when she was 3 years old.

Alaina Whitaker, 16, Tulsa, Oklahoma - Began singing at age 4. A junior at Metro Christian Academy, she has performed at festivals throughout Oklahoma and at school functions.

Carly Smithson, 24, San Diego, California - Born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. Made her singing debut in "Les Misérables" at the Olympic Theatre in Dublin. Moved to Los Angeles at age 13 to pursue her singing career. Worked in a bar and runs a tattoo shop with her husband.

Credit: The whole internet, but especially DaemonsTV.com