it's ladies night...

Girl Happy...

Couldn't resist one more round of cheesy song titles.  Sorry.  I'll cut it out.

It's time for the women to take center stage, beginning their journey to follow in the steps of Kelly and Fantasia.  Only half of the field will get the opportunity, and trying to call this field is more difficult than trying to handicap the men.

But I'll try, nonetheless.

Six will become finalists and take on the gentlemen, as well as each other.  Six will tearfully return to the lives they once led.

Some of the women are going to fall victim to the same invisible-until-the-last-minute problem that plagues a few of the guys.  Aloha Mischeaux, for instance, is a very memorable presence.  And I don't remember her from any episode before the 24 show.  And who is Celena?  I don't think she knows either, considering her name keeps changing every three days.  And Melinda Lira might be the next Kelly, but we haven't had a chance to find out.

Many of the others have already developed active fan groups, so, just like with the men, unless one of the "newbies" pulls off a Fantasia, they're gone.  We will be seeing and hearing the last of Melinda, Celena or Aloha tonight.

Here's my final six.  Again, they're not necessarily who I want.  It's who I think will emerge.

Carrie Underwood.  Even Simon has gone on the record, predicting Carrie to be in the final four.  She's a pretty girl, fresh-faced from the farm with an innocence that will endear her to teen girls who want to be like her.  And boys who want to be with her.  She already has an impressive musical background.  If I were picking a female top five finalist, she would be it.

Lindsey Cardinale.  Probably the most elegant of the twelve, she has a unique stage presence and has seemed to be one of the producers' darlings and the judges' favorites.

We've just seen the surface of this girl.  Give her the stage and the backing, and I think she'll shine.

Nadia Turner.  A unique look.  A terrific voice.  Nadia is a package and will have broad appeal. 

I just hope she doesn't allow the stylists to transform her into Barbie, because a large part of her attractiveness is her individual spirit.  And that's what separates her from the pack.

Sarah Mather.  Like Carrie, Sarah has a wholesome, girl-next-door appeal, that will make her a favorite of the teen and pre-teen set, as well as the more mature voter.  And she has the voice and the stage presence to pull it off.

These four are the easy choices.  The next two come courtesy of a coin toss.

Mikalah Gordon.  Simon referred to her as the most confident 16-year-old he'd ever met.  And even if she isn't, and I wonder after seeing so many cracks in the facade during the last show, she sure can fake it well. 

Her downfall could be her enthusiasm.  A little bit of Mikalah can go a long way, and, while she may not have the pure vocal talent of the others, personality can carry a contestant far past talent in this game.  The trick is to prove you have both.

Jessica Sierra.  This could have just as easily been Vonzell Solomon or Amanda Avila.  But I'm going with Jessica, because, even though we didn't see much of her until the Hollywood episodes, she has the sparkle and the voice that can make a memorable impression.

And since there are no pink-haired ladies in the running, her red streaks are as close as we're going to come.  And we just must have a pink-haired contestant.  It's tradition!

There you have it.  My six picks.  Is my list anywhere close to yours?