American Idol: Ranking The Top 15 Guys Heading Into The Live Shows

By Michael Slezak

15-Ethan-Harris_0998

15-Ethan-Harris_0998 15. Ethan Harris It pains me to say this, but I seriously have to Google this kid's name every time I come across it. That's how meager an impression he's made during these early months of Season 13. Le sigh.

15. Ethan Harris

It pains me to say this, but I seriously have to Google this kid's name every time I come across it. That's how meager an impression he's made during these early months of Season 13. Le sigh.

14-Jordan-Brisbane_0024REV1

14-Jordan-Brisbane_0024REV1 14. Jordan Brisbane Cute kid, but his stunning lack of breath control throughout Hollywood Week makes him a near certainty to be cut by the judges before he gets a chance to sing. Or at least that's what we're hoping.

14. Jordan Brisbane

Cute kid, but his stunning lack of breath control throughout Hollywood Week makes him a near certainty to be cut by the judges before he gets a chance to sing. Or at least that's what we're hoping.

13-Emmanuel-Zidor_0311Rev1

13-Emmanuel-Zidor_0311Rev1 13. Emmanuel Zidor His showy trills and goofy challenge of a high-heeled walk-off with J.Lo were campily entertaining, but he's done nothing so far to merit serious consideration as a successor to Candice Glover's reign.

13. Emmanuel Zidor

His showy trills and goofy challenge of a high-heeled walk-off with J.Lo were campily entertaining, but he's done nothing so far to merit serious consideration as a successor to Candice Glover's reign.

12-Briston-Maroney_1061

12-Briston-Maroney_1061 12. Briston Maroney Personally, I found his nasal tone on Lorde's "Royals" to be three steps beyond grating, but he's built a groundswell of supporters who argue he's distinctive, creative and a serious threat to win the whole enchilada.

12. Briston Maroney

Personally, I found his nasal tone on Lorde's "Royals" to be three steps beyond grating, but he's built a groundswell of supporters who argue he's distinctive, creative and a serious threat to win the whole enchilada.

11-Caleb-Johnson_1032

11-Caleb-Johnson_1032 11. Caleb Johnson Eighty percent of viewers last week voted -- based on his Hollywood Week footage -- that he'd be going home rather than advancing to the live shows. Yeah, the judges' asides about his looking "costume-y" didn't help, but the season's sole male rock representative faces an uphill climb.

11. Caleb Johnson

Eighty percent of viewers last week voted — based on his Hollywood Week footage — that he'd be going home rather than advancing to the live shows. Yeah, the judges' asides about his looking "costume-y" didn't help, but the season's sole male rock representative faces an uphill climb.

10-Casey-Thrasher_0418

10-Casey-Thrasher_0418 10. Casey Thrasher While his musical performances have been more solid than spectacular, he's garnered a fanbase with a backstory built on trying to give his kids a better life -- and his 'Bama Boys homestate bromance.

10. Casey Thrasher

While his musical performances have been more solid than spectacular, he's garnered a fanbase with a backstory built on trying to give his kids a better life — and his 'Bama Boys homestate bromance.

9-Maurice-Townsend_0723

9-Maurice-Townsend_0723 9. Maurice Townsend Limited screentime for this father of four, but he's got a booming, soulful voice that ought to cross multiple genres with ease.

9. Maurice Townsend

Limited screentime for this father of four, but he's got a booming, soulful voice that ought to cross multiple genres with ease.

8-Ben-Briley_0273r-2

8-Ben-Briley_0273r-2 8. Ben Briley Baseball-cap sporting fella is almost certain to get a spot on the live shows -- since he won a much-hyped vote-off over Neco Starr for the 15th slot on the men's side. Still, needs to polish up the raggedy edges of his glory notes if he wants to go all the way.

8. Ben Briley

Baseball-cap sporting fella is almost certain to get a spot on the live shows — since he won a much-hyped vote-off over Neco Starr for the 15th slot on the men's side. Still, needs to polish up the raggedy edges of his glory notes if he wants to go all the way.

7-Spencer-Lloyd_0634

7-Spencer-Lloyd_0634 7. Spencer Lloyd Got a slightly negative edit -- refusing to rehearse with group-mates, failing to impress with an original song -- in Hollywood Week. But his undeniable good looks and soulful tone will likely make a Top 13 finish a total inevitability. The question remains, though, is he more Ace Young or Phillip Phillips (from a competitive standpoint)?

7. Spencer Lloyd

Got a slightly negative edit — refusing to rehearse with group-mates, failing to impress with an original song — in Hollywood Week. But his undeniable good looks and soulful tone will likely make a Top 13 finish a total inevitability. The question remains, though, is he more Ace Young or Phillip Phillips (from a competitive standpoint)?

6-George-Lovett_0163

6-George-Lovett_0163 6. George Lovett Flying well under the radar, but if his soaring Hollywood Week cover of "I Won't Give Up" was any indicator, he could quickly become Keith and J.Lo's pet contestant. In other words, the kid's got soul!

6. George Lovett

Flying well under the radar, but if his soaring Hollywood Week cover of "I Won't Give Up" was any indicator, he could quickly become Keith and J.Lo's pet contestant. In other words, the kid's got soul!

5-Alex-Preston_0666

5-Alex-Preston_0666 5. Alex Preston Has to be careful of pulling strained faces while singing, but Alex's mix of originals and stripped-down EDM covers make him the front-runner in the "Singer/Songwriter" category that's fared incredibly well in recent Idol seasons. Not to be underestimated.

5. Alex Preston

Has to be careful of pulling strained faces while singing, but Alex's mix of originals and stripped-down EDM covers make him the front-runner in the "Singer/Songwriter" category that's fared incredibly well in recent Idol seasons. Not to be underestimated.

4-Dexter-Roberts_0453r

4-Dexter-Roberts_0453r 4. Dexter Roberts The most consistent and authentic of the Season 13 country entrants, his "farmhand-to-superstar" arc is the kind of backstory that would make a major label exec salivate. Seriously, though, Dexter lights up instantaneously the minute he starts singing. It's kinda magical.

4. Dexter Roberts

The most consistent and authentic of the Season 13 country entrants, his "farmhand-to-superstar" arc is the kind of backstory that would make a major label exec salivate. Seriously, though, Dexter lights up instantaneously the minute he starts singing. It's kinda magical.

3-Malcolm-Allen_1085Rev1-2

3-Malcolm-Allen_1085Rev1-2 3. Malcolm Allen His personality is a wee bit intense -- but there's no denying his range-y, flexible instrument is all kinds of stunning. It doesn't hurt that Malcolm is dapper as heck, either.

3. Malcolm Allen

His personality is a wee bit intense — but there's no denying his range-y, flexible instrument is all kinds of stunning. It doesn't hurt that Malcolm is dapper as heck, either.

2-Sam-Woolf_0471

2-Sam-Woolf_0471 2. Sam Woolf Adorable teenager has gotten more -- and more positive -- screen time than almost any other male contestant this year. His audition rendition of "Lego House" remains one of Season 13's most clear-cut "this child could win" moments, and as Harry noted, teenage girls are gonna vote for him to a ridiculous degree.

2. Sam Woolf

Adorable teenager has gotten more — and more positive — screen time than almost any other male contestant this year. His audition rendition of "Lego House" remains one of Season 13's most clear-cut "this child could win" moments, and as Harry noted, teenage girls are gonna vote for him to a ridiculous degree.

1-CJ-Curtis-Harris_0319-2

1-CJ-Curtis-Harris_0319-2 1. C.J. Harris
 Along with Casey and Dexter, he's one third of the 'Bama Boys' contingency -- but his warm, honeyed tone and twinkling smile make him the most likely to succeed among the formidable group. Ability to straddle rock, country and soul won't hurt him a bit over the coming weeks, either.

1. C.J. Harris


Along with Casey and Dexter, he's one third of the 'Bama Boys' contingency — but his warm, honeyed tone and twinkling smile make him the most likely to succeed among the formidable group. Ability to straddle rock, country and soul won't hurt him a bit over the coming weeks, either.

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