Amanda reaches final 11

From Staff and Wire Reports

Mon, May 12 2008

— Amanda Overmyer has made it to yet another week on “American Idol.”
Also surviving for another round was David Cook, an Oklahoma resident with ties to Kokomo.
David Hernandez was the finalist voted off Wednesday. Elimination of the 24-year-old ex-stripper from Glendale, Ariz., left 11 aspiring singers to vie for the title and a record contract.
On Tuesday, 12 “Idol” finalists took the stage in a two-hour episode that featured songs from the John Lennon/Paul McCartney songbook.
The 23-year-old Mulberry resident, who has family in Camden and Cass County, sang “You Can’t Do That.”
“Idol” judge Randy Jackson had nothing but positive feedback for Overymer.
“You took a Beatles song and you brought it to like a Southern club, a Southern bar, and you rocked it out in a Southern bar sort of way,” Jackson said. “I’ve got to give you props for that. Good looking out. I loved it. I thought it was cool, very cool.”
Paula Abdul agreed.
“First of all, Amanda, you’re smiling, you’re having fun, you look fantastic,” Abdul said. “You are a star up there.”
Simon Cowell, though, wasn’t as impressed.
“I didn’t think it was as good as last week actually, Amanda,” he said. “Having said that, I think it’s a very good thing that you’re here. I think it’s a good thing you’re in this competition because I think you’re a breath of fresh air when you come on.”
Overmyer said she had heard “You Can’t Do That” for the first time this week and was “hoping and praying.”
Hernandez, who sang the Beatles’ “I Saw Her Standing There,” made headlines last week after revelations that he worked as a stripper at a Phoenix club with a “mostly male” clientele.
“Honestly, things happen for a reason,” Hernandez said before leaving the stage. “I think we all have a plan. ... This isn’t it for me.”
Kristy Lee Cook, a 24-year-old from Selma, Ore., and Syesha Mercado, a 21-year-old from Sarasota, Fla., rounded out the bottom three.
“American Idol” will air next at 8 p.m. Tuesday on Fox.

Copyright © 1999-2008 cnhi, inc.