This year a lot of pre-Top 12 buzz and predictions have all but been mostly proved wrong... starting with David Hernandez (yes, remember there was a 3rd David?) who went prematurely, Michael Johns's shocking elimination before reaching even Top 5, Carly Smithson's down-spiraling AI graph from being such a talked-about AI contestant and a probable and deserving Top 3 contender to bowing out at Top 6, Jason Castro's  meteoric rise to popularity and the only one who could've possibly  stopped the DA/DC finale... and Syesha's surprise AI longevity right up to Top 3...

Well, who knew...

I guess the only thing rightly predicted before was David Archuleta's continued popularity and eventual rise to Top 2 (well, it's inevitable...) David Cook seems to be only one who can possibly stop the Little Imp from winning this thing... and I really hope he succeeds... Yes, all you Arch Angels, the Imp is cute as a button and that is exactly why everyone adores him. It's not so much his singing as his cuteness and when that's the case, it's really sad to see someone who's a better singer and musician losing out... Alas, I can't vote for David Cook. But all you Cookies out there, vote for him and make him the winner! 

Like many, me's gonna miss the dreadlocks too... he was so underestimated when he made it to Top 24. But as people kept hearing him week in and week out, his 'Daydream' and 'Hallelujah', his goofy charm - it was like Jason Castro had arrived! It's unique contestants like him that give AI more credibility and I'm glad he made it up to Top4. I don't know whether his lackluster performances this week were deliberate, whether it was AI-suicide as many have speculated, but he could've easily cracked Top 3. But it's okay... some people are just not cut out for this. Not because they aren't good singers or performers, but because perhaps they can't deal with all the rest of PR-press-spotlight baggage that goes with it. It's sort of self-indulging and self-effacing at the same time. At one point you're talking about yourself non-stop to a zillion strangers and at another, you have absolutely no time for yourself and to be yourself... I'm guessing that must have gotten to someone like Jason, who more than others, is a real free-spirit... he must have been like "leave me alone to my own devices"! I guess others can strike a balance between all this and continue competing... and good for them!

For now the dreadlocked dude with those gorgeous eyes will sorely be missed! Ah Well, c'est la vie... and c'est la AI!