The top 8 female semi-finalists of Season 9 hit the stage last night on “American Idol,” hoping they performed well enough to earn a trip to the Final 12 next week. The top 8 guys perform tonight.

Click on the player to hear the ladies performed and what the judges had to say about it.

Katie Stevens
(‘Breakaway’, Kelly Clarkson)

Siobhan Magnus
(‘House Of The Rising Sun’, The Animals)

Lacey Brown
(‘The Story’, Brandi Carlile)

Katelyn Epperly
(‘I Feel The Earth Move’, Carole King)

Didi Benami
(‘Rihannon’, Fleetwood Mac)

Paige Miles
(‘Smile’, Charlie Chaplin)

Crystal Bowersox
(‘Give Me One Reason’ Tracy Chapman)

Lilly Scott
(‘I Fall To Peices’ – Patsy Cline)

Taylor Hicks stopped by to tell us all about his appearance in “Grease” at the Marcus Center this week.  Find out more about the show here, and take a look at what Taylor had to say while he was in the Mix studios:

Taylor fills us in on what it’s like being part of an iconic musical like “Grease”

So, how has stardom changed his personal life?

And does he still keep up with American Idol now that he’s on the road?

Howard Stern is now talking about making the move from radio to TV as the judge who will replace Simon.   He joked around about it on his show today and said “Yeah, I would do the show for $100 million.”   I think this would be BRILLIANT! (in the words of Simon Cowell)   He says everything everyone else wishes they could say, which is the same reason we love Simon.   Howard’s contract with Sirius XM runs out at the end of the year.

imgae: sirius radio

From ABCNews.com

Debunking the ‘American Idol’ audtion myths

MYTH: There are enough auditions to fill an entire stadium. REALITY: The average number of auditioners is 6,000 to 8,000.

MYTH: People wait in massive lines to audition. REALITY: Those massive lines are stock footage. Hopefuls wait in line to register and be screened and come back weeks later with a number if they make the cut to audition.

MYTH: The majority of the auditions are freaks and weirdos. REALITY: The freaks and weirdos just get more screen time. The majority are talented people.

MYTH: Many auditioners seem to pick the same song. REALITY: People who make the cut are instructed to download lyrics to a particular song and learn it. A coach runs them through it before auditions.

MYTH: The judges do all the judging.  REALITY: Specially hired scouts and then producers screen all contestants before they ever set foot in front of the judges.

MYTH: The judges do the judging once the contestants are in the room. REALITY: Yes. But not totally. Between the screening round and the actual filmed auditions, producers coach the contestants about what songs to sing, how to behave, etc.

MYTH: The “bad” contestants really think they have a shot. REALITY: Nope. Producers tell everyone straight out, “some of you are here because you’re good and some of you are here because you’re bad.”

MYTH: The auditions that get screen time are random. REALITY: Producers are already in Hollywood Week when the auditions air; therefore, auditions are edited with outcome in mind.

By Amy Angelowicz

Victoria Beckham is being offered a reported $98,000 PER EPISODE from “Idol” producers to be a stylist on the show. I’m hoping after her mediocre judging appearance she will work on showing more of her personality as a style expert. Good luck!

I made this video 2 years ago and just found out it has hit over 308,000 hits on You Tube!  I know that is not a lot in You Tube world, but I am pretty proud of it.

Some of the comments are kind of funny as well.’

Ellen is talking about her first night of taping American Idol. We have to wait until Hollywood week to see her, which means sitting through 3 weeks of bad auditions. I am so excited to see her on Idol!!!

BTW: 29.9 Million people watched the premiere of Idol last night…I don’t think the show is “over!

video: E!

Does anybody else feel like Victoria Beckham was a complete waste of space last night?   For a long time people have said she never smiles,  is too skinny and cab be really boring, to which I have always defended her and thought she was a pretty unique and interesting person.   However, after watching her last night on Idol  I have decided that V (as they called her) is too skinny, never smiles and is really boring!

photo: Fox Television

The cheese and crackers are out, wine is being chilled and the party is about to begin. Idol is back for another season and I am PUMPED like a you are for a Packers vs Vikings Monday Night Football game. I found this fun photo gallery of past idol contestants to help get you in the mood for tonight’s show. ENJOY! Who do you think has changed the most?

source: billboard.com