Is the next American Idol a he again?

MANILA, Philippines - When it was announced that there would be “big plans and big changes” for American Idol Season 8, the hit reality singing competition, as expected, did not disappoint viewers. To start with, this year’s contest added another face to the judging roster. She is Kara DioGuardi, seasoned songwriter and producer.

Kara has worked with A-listers in the music industry, including Celine Dion, Kelly Clarkson and Christina Aguilera. Starting from auditions in New York, Kara was introduced to the viewers as she joined Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul in making a critique of the contestants.

After auditions for Season 8 kicked off last July at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California, AI, for the first time, went outside the US and listened to hopefuls in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The auditions continued in six other cities — Louiseville (Kentucky), Phoenix (Arizona), Salt Lake City (Utah), Kansas City (Missouri), Jacksonville (Florida) and East Rutherford (New Jersey) — where thousands of talented and even untalented singers trooped to the venues for their golden ticket to Hollywood.

On Week 3 in Hollywood, instead of traditionally picking out 24 semi-finalists, AI did another first by listing down 36 contestants who were made to perform in three batches from which the finalists were chosen. The first nine were rounded up from the first three groups to advance to the finals. Then, bringing back the Wild Card system, the judges were made to pick eight other hopefuls from which the last four slots in the Final 13 were chosen.

Yes, 13 finalists — and not just 12 — are battling it out in the finals this season. And while the previous batches saw an equal number of male and female contestants, this time, the guys outnumber the ladies, eight to five. Does this mean that we’ll see another male showdown in the finals, reminiscent of David Cook and David Archuleta last season or Ruben Studdard and Clay Aiken in Season 2?

Not a few noted that Season 8 is the most diverse batch in background, personality and singing style.

Adam Lambert was a shoo-in for the Top 13, what with his impressive vocal range for is rock-infused pieces, which makes people compare him with the likes of Steve Perry, Freddie Mercury and Stephen Tyler. Add that to his confidence and tons of sex appeal and Adam might well be a potential frontrunner in the finals.

Alexis Grace brings her blonde ambition to the AI stage and has become a strong favorite among the five female picks in the finals. She is out to prove that she’s no mere flash-in-the-pan and can out-perform her fellow contestants to stay longer in the competition.

Allison Iraheta is the youngest in the batch at only 16. Yet, she sings with the effortless ease of a seasoned performer. When she made it to the Wild Card, a number of people were surprised. But the teenage girl deserves it. She makes the stage her own when she sings, displaying an enviable presence and great potential perhaps to become the next winner.

Anoop Desai got the biggest surprise of his life when, after the Top 12 finalists were announced, Simon told Anoop that he’s the 13th contestant for Season 8. This makes Anoop the second Indian-American to make it to the AI finals, following the well-loved Sanjaya Malakar, who was seen in Season 6. Anoop, who has a strong leaning towards R&B, is said to have taken a break from his master’s degree to join the competition.

Danny Gokey, a church choir director, has incredible, powerful vocals. Since he dished out Hero in the first round of the Top 36 performers, this dead-ringer for Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr. has charmed audiences to root for him to become the next American Idol. The fact that Danny has a heart-wrenching story about his wife who died a few weeks before the auditions makes him an interesting contestant.

Jasmine Murray reminds viewers of Paris Bennett in Season 5, someone with strong vocal range and a lot of spunk. The judges might have overlooked Jasmine in the first three batches, but didn’t let her pass after the Wild Card performance.

Puerto Rican heartthrob Jorge Nuñez brings a different vibe to the competition. Although he speaks in halting English and sings with a thick Spanish accent, Jorge has a good vocal range that gives him an edge and the chance to become an early favorite.

Kris Allen has the boy-next-door charm and appeal that can give him a large voting fan base who will also swoon to his powerful vocals. Best remembered for his Man in the Mirror number that landed him a spot in the Top 13 after only the second batch, Kris is also set to display his flair in playing the piano and the guitar in the theme nights.

Lil Rounds, meanwhile, reminds viewers of Season 3 winner Fantasia Barrino or even Jennifer Hudson. Lil got a unanimous nod from the judges to be in the Top 13. Since she auditioned, this diva has received good reviews for every performance. She also has a dynamic stage presence and a lot of confidence even when belting out those vocally challenging pieces.

Soul singer Matt Giraud is a Wild Card pick, an opportunity which he didn’t waste. Since his Hollywood week performance, where he carried out an interesting version of Ray Charles’ Georgia on My Mind, Matt seems to have a lot going for him.

Single mom Megan Corkrey, a Reese Witherspoon look-alike, is another product of the Wild Card system — thanks to her unique voice, aura and personality. She can be easily recognized through her tattoo-festooned arm.

Blue collar worker Michael Sarver works his way to the Hollywood spotlight and lands in the Season 8 finals.

Scott MacIntyre is a classical pianist, a good singer and brilliant musician. He is also visually impaired, which makes viewers compare him with Andrea Bocelli. But Scott certainly has a style of his own.

Whoever battles it out in the final two will definitely join the prestigious rank of AI winners-turned-music superstars — Kelly Clarkson, Ruben Studdard, Fantasia Barrino, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Hicks, Jordin Sparks and David Cook.

AI airs on Star World and also on Q-11 Wednesday and Thursday nights.