"AMERICAN IDOL" REVEALS REMAINING TOP 24 SEMIFINALISTS

Top 12 Girls Compete LIVE Tuesday, February 23; Top 12 Boys Compete LIVE Wednesday, February 24; First LIVE Results Show Airs Thursday, February 25, on FOX

Voting Begins Next Week Following Live Performance Shows

Auditions ended tonight for the ninth season of AMERICAN IDOL, and the judges' remaining picks for the Top 24 semifinalists were revealed. The Top 24 semifinalists are: (females) Didi Benami, Crystal Bowersox, Lacey Brown, Michelle Delamor, Katelyn Epperly, Siobhan Magnus, Paige Miles, Ashley Rodriguez, Lilly Scott, Katie Stevens, Haeley Vaughn and Janell Wheeler; (males) Lee Dewyze, Andrew Garcia, Tyler Grady, Todrick Hall, Casey James, Aaron Kelly, Alex Lambert, Michael Lynche, Joe Mu�oz, John Park, Jermaine Sellers and Tim Urban.

It has been determined that Chris Golightly is ineligible to continue in the competition. AMERICAN IDOL contestant Tim Urban has replaced Golightly as part of the Top 24.

The AMERICAN IDOL Top 24 semifinalists are:

Female singers scheduled to perform Tuesday, Feb. 23 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) include:

Didi Benami
Hometown: Knoxville, TN
Currently Resides: Los Angeles, CA
Age: 23

Benami's mother inspired her passion for music by singing to her when she was a little girl. She is currently pursuing a career in music in Los Angeles while learning to play the guitar and writing songs.

Keep up with Didi at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/didi_benami/
www.facebook.com/DBenamiAI9
www.myspace.com/dbenamiai9
www.twitter.com/DBenamiAI9 (@DBenamiAI9)

Crystal Bowersox
Hometown: Elliston, OH
Currently Resides: Toledo, OH
Age: 24

Bowersox grew up on a farm in Northwest Ohio and has been playing music since she was 10 years old. She enjoys playing the piano and harmonica and spending time with her son.

Keep up with Crystal at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/crystal_bowersox/
www.facebook.com/CBowersoxAI9
www.myspace.com/cbowersoxai9
www.twitter.com/CBowersoxAI9 (@CBowersoxAI9)

Lacey Brown
Hometown: Amarillo, TX
Currently Resides: Amarillo, TX
Age: 24

Brown began singing when she was 12 years old at churches and holiday parties. Before auditioning for IDOL, she was teaching classes at her parents' church in Amarillo, TX.

Keep up with Lacey at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/lacey_brown/
www.facebook.com/LBrownAI9
www.myspace.com/lbrownai9
www.twitter.com/LBrownAI9 (@LBrownAI9)

Michelle Delamor
Hometown: Miami, FL
Currently Resides: Miami, FL
Age: 22

Delamor was born in Miami, FL, and began singing at age 5 in church. Prior to her IDOL experience, Delamor was working in retail and conducting a children's choir.

Keep up with Michelle at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/michelle_delamor/
www.facebook.com/MDelamorAI9
www.myspace.com/mdelamorai9
www.twitter.com/MDelamorAI9 (@MDelamorAI9)

Katelyn Epperly
Hometown: West Des Moines, IA
Currently Resides: West Des Moines, IA
Age: 19

Epperly was born in Iowa City, IA, and has been singing since she was 2 years old. She is a sophomore at Millikin University in Decatur, IL, and enjoys playing the piano.

Keep up with Katelyn at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/katelyn_epperly/
www.facebook.com/KEpperlyAI9
www.myspace.com/kepperlyai9
www.twitter.com/KEpperlyAI9 (@KEpperlyAI9)

Siobhan Magnus
Hometown: Cape Cod, MA
Currently Resides: Marstons Mills, MA
Age: 20

Magnus currently lives in Marston Mills, MA, and graduated from Barnstable High School in 2008. She has been singing since age 9, and counts glassblowing as one of her hobbies.

Keep up with Siobhan at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/siobhan_magnus/
www.facebook.com/SMagnusAI9
www.myspace.com/smagnusai9
www.twitter.com/SMagnusAI9 (@SMagnusAI9)

Paige Miles
Hometown: Naples, FL
Currently Resides: Houston, TX
Age: 24

Miles lives in the Houston, TX, area and started singing in church when she was 5 years old. During high school, she was a competitive cheerleader and an after-school tutor.

Keep up with Paige at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/paige_miles/
www.facebook.com/PMilesAI9
www.myspace.com/pmilesai9
www.twitter.com/PMilesAI9 (@PMilesAI9)

Ashley Rodriguez
Hometown: Chelsea, MA
Currently Resides: Chelsea, MA
Age: 22

Rodriguez has been singing since she was 5 years old. She recently graduated from the Berklee College of Music in Boston, where she majored in music business.

Keep up with Ashley at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/ashley_rodriguez/
www.facebook.com/ARodriguezAI9
www.myspace.com/arodriguezai9
www.twitter.com/ARodriguezAI9 (@ARodriguezAI9)

Lilly Scott
Hometown: Littleton, CO
Currently Resides: Denver, CO
Age: 20

Scott was born in Houston, TX, and grew up in Littleton, CO. Prior to auditioning for IDOL, she was playing music locally and was the lead singer of a band called "Varlet."

Keep up with Lilly at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/lilly_scott/
www.facebook.com/LScottAI9
www.myspace.com/lscottai9
www.twitter.com/LScottAI9 (@LScottAI9)

Katie Stevens
Hometown: Middlebury, CT
Currently Resides: Middlebury, CT
Age: 17

Stevens was born in Waterbury, CT, and has been singing since she was 3 years old. She enjoys playing the guitar, piano, flute and cello, and is a senior at Pomperaug High School.

Keep up with Katie at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/katie_stevens/
www.facebook.com/KStevensAI9
www.myspace.com/kstevensai9
www.twitter.com/KStevensAI9 (@KStevensAI9)

Haeley Vaughn
Hometown: Fort Collins, CO
Currently Resides: Fort Collins, CO
Age: 16

Vaughn currently lives in Fort Collins, CO, and is a junior at Poudre High School. In addition to playing the guitar, she is a member of the cheerleading squad.

Keep up with Haeley at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/haeley_vaughn/
www.facebook.com/HVaughnAI9
www.myspace.com/hvaughnai9
www.twitter.com/HVaughnAI9 (@HVaughnAI9)

Janell Wheeler
Hometown: Tampa, FL
Currently Resides: Tampa, FL
Age: 24

Wheeler began singing and songwriting in second grade. She graduated from the University of Florida at Gainesville in 2008 with a bachelor's degree in theatre. She also enjoys playing the guitar and writing music.

Keep up with Janell at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/janell_wheeler/
www.facebook.com/JWheelerAI9
www.myspace.com/jwheelerai9
www.twitter.com/JWheelerAI9 (@JWheelerAI9)

Check out and share the Publicity Photo Shoot featuring the 12 female semifinalists at http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid67000520001?bctid=67063526001.

Male singers scheduled to perform Wednesday, Feb. 24 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) include:

Lee Dewyze
Hometown: Mount Prospect, IL
Currently Resides: Mount Prospect, IL
Age: 23

Dewyze has been performing music since age 16. He graduated from Mount Prospect High School and enjoys playing the guitar and scuba diving.

Keep up with Lee at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/lee_dewyze/
www.facebook.com/LDewyzeAI9
www.myspace.com/ldewyzeai9
www.twitter.com/LDewyzeAI9 (@LDewyzeAI9)

Andrew Garcia
Hometown: Moreno Valley, CA
Currently Resides: Moreno Valley, CA
Age: 24

Garcia was born in Compton, CA, and has been singing since he was 18 years old. He also enjoys playing the guitar and spending time with his son.

Keep up with Andrew at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/andrew_garcia/
www.facebook.com/AGarciaAI9
www.myspace.com/agarciaai9
www.twitter.com/AGarciaAI9 (@AGarciaAI9)

Tyler Grady
Hometown: Nazareth, PA
Currently Resides: Nazareth, PA
Age: 20

Grady is currently a sophomore at Temple University in Philadelphia. He plays the drums and is the lead singer of a band.

Keep up with Tyler at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/tyler_grady/
www.facebook.com/TGradyAI9
www.myspace.com/tgradyai9
www.twitter.com/TGradyAI9 (@TGradyAI9)

Todrick Hall
Hometown: Arlington, TX
Currently Resides: Arlington, TX
Age: 24

Hall grew up in Plainview, TX, and has been singing since age 10. After graduating from Bowie High School in 2003, he went on to perform on cruise ships and in theme parks.

Keep up with Todrick at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/todrick_hall/
www.facebook.com/THallAI9
www.myspace.com/thallai9
www.twitter.com/THallAI9 (@THallAI9)

Casey James
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Currently Resides: Fort Worth, TX
Age: 27

James has been singing since before he could speak. He enjoys playing the guitar and mandolin, and has been a full-time musician for the past 10 years.

Keep up with Casey at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/casey_james/
www.facebook.com/CJamesAI9
www.myspace.com/cjamesai9
www.twitter.com/CJamesAI9 (@CJamesAI9)

Aaron Kelly
Hometown: Sonestown, PA
Currently Resides: Sonestown, PA
Age: 16

Kelly lives in Sonestown, PA, and is currently a senior at the Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School. He also enjoys songwriting and photography.

Keep up with Aaron at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/aaron_kelly/
www.facebook.com/AKellyAI9
www.myspace.com/akellyai9
www.twitter.com/AKellyAI9 (@AKellyAI9)

Alex Lambert
Hometown: Fort Worth, TX
Currently Resides: North Richland Hills, TX
Age: 19

Lambert was born in Fort Worth, TX, and has been singing since he was 9 years old. He is currently a senior at Richland High School.

Keep up with Alex at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/alex_lambert/
www.facebook.com/ALambertAI9
www.myspace.com/alambertai9
www.twitter.com/ALambertAI9 (@ALambertAI9)

Michael Lynche
Hometown: Astoria, NY
Currently Resides: Astoria, NY
Age: 26

Lynche grew up in St. Petersburg, FL, and has been singing since he was in junior high. He played football for the University of Central Florida, and currently works as a personal trainer.

Keep up with Michael at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/michael_lynche
www.facebook.com/MLyncheAI9
www.myspace.com/mlyncheai9
www.twitter.com/MLyncheAI9 (@MLyncheAI9)

Joe Mu�oz
Hometown: Huntington Park, CA
Currently Resides: Huntington Park, CA
Age: 20

Mu�oz has been singing since age 12. In addition to playing the guitar, he is fluent in both Spanish and English.

Keep up with Joe at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/joe_munoz/
www.facebook.com/JMunozAI9
www.myspace.com/jmunozai9
www.twitter.com/JMunozAI9 (@JMunozAI9)

John Park
Hometown: Northbrook, IL
Currently Resides: Evanston, IL
Age: 21

Park began singing in the seventh grade. He is fluent in Korean, and is currently an undergraduate at Northwestern University. He also plays the piano, guitar and drums.

Keep up with John at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/john_park/
www.facebook.com/JParkAI9
www.myspace.com/jparkai9
www.twitter.com/JParkAI9 (@JParkAI9)

Jermaine Sellers
Hometown: Joliet, IL
Currently Resides: Joliet, IL
Age: 27

Sellers lives in his hometown of Joliet, IL, and began singing at age 7. Before auditioning for IDOL, he was singing in his local church and helping take care of his mother.

Keep up with Jermaine at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/jermaine_sellers/
www.facebook.com/JSellersAI9
www.myspace.com/jsellersai9
www.twitter.com/JSellersAI9 (@JSellersAI9)

Tim Urban
Hometown: Duncanville, TX
Currently Resides: Duncanville, TX
Age: 20

Urban was born and raised in Duncanville, TX, and has been singing and playing the guitar since he was 13 years old. He and his nine siblings were homeschooled by his mother.

Keep up with Tim at:
www.americanidol.com/contestants/season_9/tim_urban/
www.facebook.com/TUrbanAI9
www.myspace.com/turbanai9
www.twitter.com/TUrbanAI9 (@TUrbanAI9)

Check out and share the Publicity Photo Shoot featuring the 12 male semifinalists at http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid66988636001?bctid=67045614001.

Next week, the Top 24 will be split into two groups - 12 females and 12 males - and each contestant will perform a Top 10 hit from the Hot 100 chart. The fate of these 24 semifinalists - one of whom will be the next American Idol - now rests in the viewers' hands. See what happens when the competition heats up, nerves rattle and contestants shine or fizzle out during the season's first performance shows. The 12 female semifinalists will perform Tuesday, Feb. 23 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), and the 12 male semifinalists will perform Wednesday, Feb. 24 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

At the end of each performance show, the phone lines will open for at least two hours and AMERICAN IDOL viewers will be able to vote for their favorite contestant(s). Fans can use the branded toll-free telephone numbers (1-866-IDOLS-01, -02, etc.) until 12:00 AM ET/PT (11:00 PM CT/MT), subject to time zone restrictions, and AT&T wireless subscribers can use their cell phones to vote by texting the word "VOTE" to the four-digit short number (5701, 5702, etc.) that corresponds with the contestant of their choice. Then tune in to see who America picks to continue in the competition when two guys and two girls are eliminated on the season's first results show Thursday, Feb. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, executive producer, FremantleMedia North America.

Visit americanidol.com for exclusive videos, interviews and photos of the Top 24 as well as special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news. For photos and behind-the-scenes interviews with the Top 24, please visit foxflash.com/idol.