American Idol moves to Hollywood this week, where the show will eventually whittle the number of contestants down to 36.

The official announcement of these finalists won't air until February 11, but reliable sources have released the following names. Take them with a grain of salt the size of Simon's ego, but the following 36 singers are reportedly headed for the fan-voting rounds:

• Adam Lambert
• Alexander Wagner-Trugman
• Alexis Grace
• Allison Iraheta
• Ann Marie Boskovich
• Anoop Desai
• Arianna Ayesha Afsar
• Brent Keith
• Casey Carlson (pictured)
• Danny Gokey
• Jackie Tohn
• Jasmine Murray
• Jeanine Vailes
• Michael Bartul
• Jessica Langseth
• Joanna Pacitti
• Jorge Nunez
• Junot Joyner
• Kai Kalama
• Kendall Beard
• Kristen McNamara
• Continue Reading...

A few more names were added to the list of contestants that have advanced to Hollywood.

The next round of auditions begin next week, and here's who will be involved in them, following last night's try outs in New York and San Juan:

• Jackie Tohn: 27-year old actress. Has appeared on The Sopranos. She sings "I'm Yours," but receives Hollywood ticket for improved second song, "I'll Do It All."

• Jorge Nunez (pictured): 20-year old. Auditioned in San Juan with"My Way" in Spanish, and "What a Wonderful World" in English. Randy Jackson calls him "brilliant."

• Monique Garcia Torres: Only 16-year old. Judges believe her song choice is too mature, as went she with"You Can't Hurry Love" and "I Turn To You." Still, off to Hollywood!

• Patricia Lewis Roman: Simon hates song choice of this 20-year old. But is forgotten when she wows judge with a Spanish song. Large family goes wild when she walks out with golden ticket.

Who was your favorite from last night?

Is it fair for Joanna Pacitti to be a contestant on American Idol?

Many critics point to this singer's brief Broadway career, along with her previously-released album through A&M records, as proof that she's overqualified for the show.

Kara DioGuardi is not included in this camp, however.

"I do think [her inclusion on the show] is fair because she's facing, actually, the same challenges and in some ways more challenges than some of the other contestants," DioGuardi told Access Hollywood. "She's been dropped from a record label, which psychologically puts you in a weird place, right?

"That's why I think she's so emotional on the show... She knows what it's like to actually get a deal and then be dropped, which is actually a terrible thing."

It was an evening of impressive singing and even more impressive personal stories last night on American Idol.

Here's a rundown of the four contestants that stood out the most, all of whom are off to Hollywood:

• Meghan Corkrey: 23-year old, a font designer from Sandy, Utah. Recently divorced, single mother. Sang "Can't Help Lovin' That Man."

• Rose Flack: Pictured, Most heart-breaking and/or inspiring story so far. Both parents died by the time she was 15; lives with foster family. 17-year old sang " I Feel the Earth Move."

• David Osmond: Son of Alan Osmond, former member of The Osmond Brothers. This 28-year old suffers from multiple sclerosis.

• Taylor Vaifanua: 16-year old high school student. Compared to Jordin Sparks by Randy Jackson. Sang "Joyful, Joyful" for her audition.

A total of 16 contestants advanced to Hollywood on last night's American Idol auditions, located in Jacksonville.

We've highlighted four below, though the final two listed definitely made the best impression our staff. What did you think?

Julissa Veloz: 19 years old, beauty pageant contestant. Sang "If I Don't Have You" by Whitney Houston.

Jasmine Murray: 16-year old high school student, attended the audition with mother and three sisters. Sang "Big Girls Don't Cry" by Fergie.

T.K. Hash: 23-years old, failed to make it past first round on season seven. Sang "Imagine" by John Lennon.

Anne Marie Boskovich: 22-year old, pictured below, sang God Bless America prior to 2003 NBA All-Star Game. Wowed judges with rendition of "Bubbly" by Colbie Callait.

We'll recap tonight's round of American Idol auditions soon after they air.

In the meantime, here's where you can catch one of last season's favorites; it's a look at David Archuleta's spring tour dates:

February

• 2/24 - Virginia Beach, VA
• 2/25 - Richmond, VA 
• 2/26 - Sayerville, NJ 
• 2/28 - Lancaster, PA 

March

• 3/01- Allentown, PA
• 3/02 - Northampton, MA
• 3/03 - Clarence, NY
• 3/05 - Columbus, OH
• 3/06 - Madison, WI
• 3/07 - Duluth, MN
• 3/08 - Chicago, IL
• 3/10 - Oklahoma City, OK
• 3/11- Beaumont, TX
• 3/12 - San Antonio, TX
• 3/14 - Albuquerque, NM
• 3/16 - Phoenix, AZ
• 3/17 - Pomona, CA
• 3/18 - Reno, NV
• 3/20 - Idaho Falls, ID
• 3/21 - Boise, ID

As we consider which of this season's new American Idol contestants might wear the crown in May - perhaps Von Smith or Joanna Pacitti? - let's stop to consider where you might catch last year's champion.

Here's a review of David Cook's 2009 tour dates and locales...

February

• Friday, February 13th - Tallahasee, Fl - Florida State University
• Saturday, February 14th - Biloxi, MS - Beau Rivage
• Sunday, February 15th - Oxford, MS - Ole Miss
• Wednesday, February 18th - Eau Claire, WI - University of Wisconsin
• Thursday February 19th - Cedar Falls, IA - University of Northern Iowa
• Friday, February 20th - Green Bay, WI - University of Wisconsin - Green Bay
• Saturday, February 21st - Valparaiso, IN - Valparaiso University
• Monday, February 23rd - Waverly, IA – Warlburg
• Tuesday, February 24th - Fullton, MO – Westminster
• Wednesday, February 25th - Conway, AR - Central Arkansas University
• Friday, February 27th- Portsmouth, OH - Shawnee State University

Follow this article's jump for dates in March and April...

Continue Reading...

Before he received his ticket to Hollywood on last night's American Idol, Tennessee native Brent Keith Smith promoted a Country Music Television album with a tour of local Walmarts.

Here's a look at one of his performances:

Brent Keith Smith Performance

A quartet of hopefuls stood out on last night's American Idol.

Here's a rundown of who impressed our staff the most in Louisville:

• Joanna Pacitti: Signed to Geffen Records in 2006, released a failed album, released from label in 2007. Sang “We Belong” by Pat Benetar. Grew emotional when judges voted her through to the next round.

• Brent Keith Smith: From Blanchester, OH. Sang “Can’t Get Enough” by Bad Company. Simon eventually relented and all four judges approved him for Hollywood.

• Felicia Barton: Sang "Put Your Records On” by Corinne Bailey Rae. Hails from Virginia Beach, Virginia.

• Leneshe Young: Grew up in and out of homeless shelters. An 18-year old from Cincinnati. Sang an original song and grew tremendous praise from all judges, even Simon and Kara. Watch audition clip below.

Leneshe Young Video

Sorry, San Francisco.

We love your city, but we weren't impressed by your American Idol hopefuls last night. Here's a rundown of the aspiring singers that were approved for Hollywood:

Tatiana Del Toro: A 22-year old singer/actress from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Belted out “Never Loved a Man” by Aretha Franklin. This look kept on interrupting Simon by breaking into song, which must have entertained the other three judges. They gave her a golden ticket.

Kai Kalama: 26, pictured. A musician from San Clemente, CA that sang “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes” by the Platters. Vocal talent not nearly as impressive as his personal story: he has given up his dreams to take care of his sick mother.

Jesus Valenzula: 29 years old, fleet manager from North Highlands, CA. Chose “Nice and Slow” by Usher. Simon instantly said no, but he was overruled by the other three judges again. It's almost like they do that just to have fun.

John Twiford: Has potential. 27, a music teacher from Sherman Oaks, CA. Sang “Overjoyed” by Stevie Wonder.

Allison Iraheta: Only 16 years old, a high school student from Los Angeles, CA. sang “Natural Woman” by Aretha Franklin. Didn't see much of her.

Raquel Houghton: Ex-girlfriend of comedian Dane Cook. A waitress/bartender from Los Angeles who sang “Son of a Preacher Man” by Dusty Springfield.

Adam Lambert: Sang “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen. Looks like Pete Wentz on Halloween. 26 years old, stage actor from Hollywood, CA.