On the heels of a flamboyant performance of “Tainted Love” and news of an angsty Christmas-themed YouTube clip, Rock Daily favorite Danny Noriega was booted from American Idol last night, along with Britney Spears impersonator Kady Malloy, a cappella pro Luke Menard and “second-rate Whitney Houston” Asia’h Epperson. (The full list of the twelve finalists is after the jump). Before the tearful eliminations, season six’s Blake Lewis performed, reminding the hopefuls of the possibility of runner-up stardom and his inability to sing on pitch while making ridiculous noises with his mouth. Next week the finalists will take the the big stage as Idol finally hits its stride.

David Archuleta
Jason Castro
David Cook
Kristy Lee Cook
Chikezie Eze
David Hernandez,
Michael Johns
Ramiele Malubay
Syesha Mercado
Amanda Overmyer
Carly Smithson
Brooke White