Another girl with a super-strong voice is Floridian Ramiele Malubay, 20. Ramiele picked a song that was, in my opinion, too old-fashioned. However, she won the judges over with her class and control.

"You outsang every single person," Simon proclaimed. If Ramiele can pick a fresh song and rock it with that mature voice, I think then she'll be unstoppable.

As far as this week's controversy over the "fairness" of the competition because some contestants have had past record deals that failed or have already competed in other national singing competitions, it is, in my opinion, completely irrelevant. And the less "experienced" contestants proved it this week.

It just goes to show that age and experience don't necessarily give a contestant an advantage. In fact, I think sometimes the younger and less experienced singers are the ones who have an advantage. They're fresh, their moldable, and I think they're going to give these so-called "pros" a run for their money.

There is also a charm factor in not having as much experience. People really grab onto the whole Cinderella, rags-to-riches aspect of "Idol." It's appealing.

But that doesn't mean that some of these contestants with more experience shouldn't be given a chance as well. It may not make for as great a story when one of them succeeds, but they have every right to compete as long as they meet the requirement of not having a current recording deal. It all evens out in the end. After all, it doesn't really matter what kind of experience the contestants previously had because, as Simon said to David Archuleta, "When you've got it, you've got it."

Elimination update

It's hard to get up the nerve to sing after you've just been booted from "American Idol." But Amy Davis, Joanne Borgella, Garrett Haley and Colton Berry gave it their best shot Thursday night after they learned they wouldn't be moving on.

The first person cut was Garrett Haley, the curly blond who Simon said looked like he'd been "shut up in [his] bedroom for about a month." He left gracefully — and gratefully — thanking the audience and judges. When asked if he felt if Simon had been too personal with him the other night, he shrugged it off and said, "I'm happy with the way I am." Good for him. He seems like a great kid.

Next to leave was Amy Davis who Simon predicted would "struggle" with getting enough votes after her mediocre performance of "Where the Boys Are" on Wednesday night.

He was right. "This is the most amazing platform for you," Paula said encouragingly. "You've now got millions of people [who know you] and it's your chance now to do whatever you want to do."