When Simon Cowell entered the party, he told everyone, “Sanjaya to win! What an extraordinarily great singer!” He was kidding, of course, because Simon is actually rooting for a “battle of the divas.” Simon told MTV that he believes in that scenario Melinda Doolittle would edge out Lakisha Jones and Stephanie Edwards. He said he like’s Melinda’s humility and “the fact that she’s happy to be on the show and she’s giving 100 percent.”
As for the night’s surprises, Simon said it wouldn’t be “Idol” without them. “The fact that there’s people there who shouldn’t be there makes it “American Idol.”
The top 12 had plenty to say as well…
Chris Sligh is hoping that the producers will let him sing one of his original songs, “No.” He said that Rudy was the hardest for him to say goodbye to since they met at their audition in Memphis. Chris, who is a worship leader in his church, said his Christian faith is very important to him, but he doesn’t see himself in the contemporary Christian world. He did the DC Talk song because he thought the “message was so universal.” Bandleader Ricky Minor has dubbed Chris “Idol’s Jack Black”…
Gina Glocksen is hoping that Pink will clear “Who Knew,” her favorite song. Not surprisingly (considering all the tears), she said Leslie, her roommate was the hardest for her to say goodbye to. They both lived in Chicago and they formed a bond during the break between rounds… 
Melinda Doolittle said Stevie Wonder was her biggest musical inspiration (Uh-oh). She said it’s been hard to say goodbye to everyone since she’s older. “I’m like the mama and these are my babies going home, and I can’t stand it!”
Phil Stacey auditioned because he missed a friend’s wedding. The only way the friend would forgive him was if he auditioned for “Idol.” Phil said that with the Navy Rock Band, he does My Chemical Romance and Fall Out Boy, but he’s avoided that so far because he didn’t want any comparisons to Chris Daughtry…
Chris Richardson said he won’t do any Justin Timberlake songs because he wants to get away from that comparison. He would really like to do a Maroon 5 song. The most difficult person for him to say goodbye to was A.J. since he was his roommate and best friend on the show…
Lakisha Jones wants to sing “I Will Always Love You” since Whitney Houston is one of her musical inspirations (Yolanda Adams is the other)…
Brandon Rogers said his musical inspiration is Allison Krauss because he loves bluegrass (?!). Brandon said it was hardest for him to say goodbye to Jared because they had become pretty close and he didn’t expect him to go yet. Brandon was also excited about the congratulatory e-mail he got from his former employer, Anastacia…
Does that mean she doesn’t hate “Idol” and everything it stands for anymore?...
Jordin Sparks said she loves country music like Keith Urban and Martina McBride. The hardest for her to say goodbye to were Sundance and Jared. She said that if the music thing doesn’t work out, she wants to be a pediatrician…
Blake Lewis was psyched that 311 singer Nick Hexum approved of his performance of “All Mixed Up.” Hexum was watching because Brandon is a friend who has collaborated with his brother. Now the 311 message boards are encouraging fans to vote for Blake. Meanwhile, Blake plans to push the envelope even further with his song choices…
Stephanie Edwards said that she was very close to her roommate, Antonella, and that they were helping each other pick 
songs…Sanjaya Malakar had the hardest time saying goodbye to Amy Krebs since they were “representing Seattle.” He said he needs to pick songs he can put “a lot of energy and personality into”…
DUH!...
Haley Scarnato said it’s tough to be memorable because you only get so much camera time onstage…That’s why you have to be able to sing, dear…
I’ll have more on the top 12 before Tuesday’s show…
