";
American_Idol_070517_Final2[i++] = new Array("","Jordin Sparks","","http://msnbcmedia3.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/z_Projects_in_progress/_Ent/American_Idol/final_four/07054_sparks_idolapp_jpg.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "", "298", "194", "", "", "", "", "");
American_Idol_070517_Final2[i-1].body = "
Age: 17
Hometown: Glendale, Ariz.
The story so far: Jordin was the only female contestant under the age of 20 to make the final 10, and it's sometimes hard to remember she's just a teenager. On a show where younger contestants tend to struggle with criticism, Sparks has succeeded by staying strong and confident. After being tabbed one of Simon's four favorites – all women – in the semifinals, she moved herself near the head of the line with a series of strong performances.
\"Idol\" contestant she's most like: Kelly Clarkson. Remember, Clarkson wasn't a natural when she started the competition, and it wasn't a given that she'd even beat Justin Guarini to win the show's first season. She's made herself into a superstar with talent, hard work and great career decisions. That's the path Sparks hopes to follow.
Most at home singing: Anything that makes her sound young. She can handle soul, R&B and even country, though she struggled with the 80s rock of Bon Jovi.
Key moment in the competition: Jordin's performance of Martina McBride's \"Broken Wing\" on April 18 wasn't her best of the competition, but it was good enough that Simon said he believed she could win the competition. That's no small feat, since his opinion tends to carry a lot of weight with the show's voters.
Potential pitfalls: She's much younger and less experienced than Blake. She's been criticized for both singing songs that were too old for her and for not taking enough risks.
Will win if: She combines her talent and her useful exuberance to rock the finale. She's got the voice for it, but a step outside her comfort zone would prove she's not a one-note 'Idol.'";
American_Idol_070517_Final2[i++] = new Array("","Blake Lewis","","http://msnbcmedia2.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/z_Projects_in_progress/_Ent/American_Idol/final_four/07054_blake_idolapp.standard.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "right", "", "Fox", "298", "194", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
American_Idol_070517_Final2[i-1].body = "
Age: 25
Hometown: Bothell, Wash.
The story so far: Blake is what passes for edgy on \"American Idol,\" with the beatboxing, the tattoos, and the facial hair of a guy America’s fathers hope stays away from their teenage daughters. But his voice is a lot more crooner than it is alt-rocker, and he's showed himself to be more than a gimmick. He established himself as the best of a weak group of male finalists, made risky song selections and came through with strong performances.
\"Idol\" contestant he's most like: A Taylor Hicks/Chris Daughtry hybrid. Like Hicks, he skirts the fine line between vocalist and entertainer. Like Daughtry, he's balancing between edginess and mainstream performances. It's a tricky act to maintain.
Most at home singing: For a guy with an alterative background, Blake's very comfortable singing traditional pop songs. But he favors those with an edge, and has taken on acts like 311, Jamiroquai, Keane and The Cure thus far.
Key moment in the competition: In March, he established himself as the best of the six male finalists. But when Jennifer Lopez guest-hosted on April 11, Blake's cover of her husband Mark Anthony's \"I Need to Know\" marked the first time he showed the combination of traditional vocals and showmanship that marked him as a serious contender.
Potential pitfalls: Blake has shown repeatedly that he's in it to win it, and he's not afraid to mix up the musical arrangement and throw in his beloved beatboxing. The judges generally love his creativity, but he's also been criticized for putting a spin on even those classic songs that would be best left alone.
Will win if: Viewers admire his creative abilities more than Jordin's powerhouse voice. Or if enough young girls think he's cute.";
// END editorial data
