Melinda Doolittle - Best vocalist this year, with an equally good nature, she never drifts into shouting and in her case the dodgy songs seem to be working a treat - although is leaving the likes of Sanjaya to butcher the classics really fair? 10 points

- 10 points
Jordin Sparks - Youthful and very talented, has potentiaand could certainly do well for herself out of AI even if she doesn't win, which I doubt she will - although I don't think reaching the final 3 is impossible for her.l. 9 ponts.
Blake Lewis - Isn't nailing it yet IMO but he's innovating so I'd like to see him do well. 8 points.
Lakisha Jones - One of the best singers this year, but marked down slightly because she pales in comparison to her closest rivsal, Melinda - again IMO. Still, 7 points.
Chris S - Another very good vocalist, and it's good to see a contestant with a distinctive look doing well, should have been Sundance but hey, 6 points.
Chris R - Great Jason Mraz number a couple of weeks back, nothing inspiring since but he still has potential. 5 points.
Gina Glocksen - Murdering "Alone" was a bad idea, but since then tghe only way's been up for Gina, and at least she stands out. 4 points.
Stephanie Edwards - Good vocalist, but she doesn't stand out and her song choices often fail her, she needs to up her game if she wants to win this thing but anything is possible! 5 points.
Phil Stacey - I was going to place Haley above him, but having thought about it, Phil's a better voaist, he's suffering at the hands of his own song choices though, he is another one who needs to try a bit harder. 2 points.
Haley Scarnato - Pleasant she may be, the next American idol I'm sure she isn't - it is Haley, isn't it?

Sanjaya Malakar - I take back what I said in my critique of Stephanie - not everything is possible. If this were a personality or hairstyle competition, he'd be a front runner, but although he can sing, he's not in the same league as his competitors - sorry, Sanjaya. (I still don't think he deserve some of the stick he gets though). Sadly, it's 0 points for him.