Singers must stay true yet stand out

By Carmen Rasmusen

The minute I was picked to be in the top 12 of "American Idol," I had one goal —— to make the top 10 so I could go on tour. I ended up making it to the top six, so as you can imagine, I was ecstatic.

Utahn David Archuleta appeared equally thrilled on Wednesday when he made the 2008 "Idol" top 10.

But to get so far and be cut one or two spots before the top 10 is devastating.

Vanessa Oliverez from my season was the first to be cut from the top 12. Charles Grigsby was the second. But because one-time Utahn Corey Clark was sent home early (because of an undisclosed arrest) and Josh Gracin couldn't go on tour (because he was in the Marines), Grigsby joined the tour. (Oliverez did not, so there were nine of us that year.)

Read the full article here.