Last night on American Idol, we got our first look at the Top 24. There were some pleasant surprises and some questionable eliminations – why, oh why did y’all let Tami Gosnell go? Of course, the judges know what they’re looking for even if we don’t.

So, without further ado, here are the top 24 semifinalists for the sixth season of American Idol. Let us know who your favorites are in the comments section below. We’d love to hear from you. (Psst! We really like Chris Sligh, Sanjaya Malakar, Philip Stacy, Brandon Rogers and Sundance Head on the guys’ side. For the gals, we’re less impressed overall. However, we think that Lakisha Jones and Melinda Doolittle are the real standouts.)

THE GENTLEMEN:

Chris Sligh, 28, Greenville, South Carolina – not only does this mop-top run a fun and funky blog, he’s got a cool sense of humor and an amazing attitude. He told the judges when he first auditioned that he wanted to be the American Idol "to make David Hasselhoff cry". (Hehe!) Last night, Simon noted that he’s among the ‘most popular’ of all the contestants with the contestants. We predict he’s going to be just as big of a hit with the public.

Sanjaya Malakar, 17, Federal Way, Washington – He auditioned in Seattle along with his sis, Shyamali, and blew the judges away with his soulful song stylings and his bright smile. Sanjaya is not afraid to cry – he showed his love for his sis when she was eliminated and he wasn’t. He’s also humble and grounded. With the help of the American Idol machine, Sanjaya can go very far indeed.

Brandon Rogers, 29, Los Angeles – a backup singer – he’s worked with both Christina Aguilera and Anastacia, Brandon proves that he’s ready to step out into the spotlight. He’s definitely a romantic crooner with some serious sexiness to back it up. Just ask Paula. She couldn’t keep her eyes off him during the LA auditions.

Philip Stacy, 29, Jacksonville, Florida – He missed the birth of his second child to audition for American Idol. Apparently, the gamble paid off (good thing he has an understanding wife). Stacy has a very good voice – one of the best in the competition (male or female), a killer personality and an eclectic, interesting look that is part Chris Daughtry, part Michael Stipe (R.E.M.).

Blake Lewis, 25, Bothell, Washington – He’s a champion beatboxer. (Ugh! We never thought we'd use the phrase champion beatboxer in a sentence...again.) He channels Ryan Seacrest through his spiky, blonde tips too. Maybe he’ll get a decent makeover once he gets to Hollywood. As Simon says about this cocky dude, “I don’t know if you’re as good as you think you are.” Neither do we, but we’re willing to wait and see.

Rudy Cardenas, 28, Los Angeles – born in Venezuela, Rudy Cardenas graduated from the University of Northern Colorado with a degree in vocal performance. He is a member of an LA-based band called m-pact, which won the 2006 Los Angeles Music Award (Albie) for “Vocal Group of the Year.” Past winners of the honor include No Doubt, Sugar Ray and the Black Eyed Peas.

Paul Kim, 25, Saratoga, California – perhaps he can quit his job as a ‘pool boy’ now. Paul is another soulful singer and possibly the first Asian to make the top 24 of American Idol. He said he was inspired to try out by William Hung. He wanted to prove that Asians could sing. Thankfully, he’s accomplished that goal! By the way, he says he’ll be singing barefoot from now on.

AJ Tabaldo, 22, Santa Maria, California – This dude, who loves to croon R&B, has auditioned for American Idol a total of five times. In a way, he makes us glad that there isn’t a limit on that. You can listen to him belt out some of his original tunes on his myspace page.

Nicholas Pedro, 25, Taunton, Massachusetts – Nicholas made it to Hollywood Week last season, but bowed out of the competition after he failed to learn his lyrics – the song was “Buttercup”-  for the group performance. He came back and wowed Paula, Simon and Randy. Last night after getting the good news, he called his baby sis and wished her a baby birthday. Aww!

Chris Richardson, 22, Chesapeake, Virginia – Richardson used to work as a cook and supervisor at Hooters. Last night, his family and friends watched the show there and celebrated his good fortune. Chris was a star athlete at Great Bridge High School. He's a clean-cut individual who wears his hair short and sports a tie most of the time he’s on camera.

Jared Cotter, 25, Long Island, New York – Jared refers to himself on MySpace as the “future of R&B”. Jared, who prefers to be called JL, is the only New Yorker in the competition. His dad, Robert, played with the legendary Nile Rodgers (Chic) so music is in his blood.

Jason "Sundance" Head, 28, Porter, Texas. – Sundance’s daddy, Roy Head, had a hit in the 60s called “Treat Her Right”. It was number one for a week – until it was knocked off by a little song – perhaps you’ve heard of it? – “Yesterday” (Beatles). Sundance is now a daddy himself and wants to make his family proud. With his big, booming voice and big, booming personality he’s sure to go far. (However, can we make a suggestion, Sundance? Please, oh, please cut off the patch of hair underneath your chin. It looks like…well, something naughty.)

THE LADIES:

Melinda Doolittle, 29, Brentwood, Tennessee – As far as vocals go, this former back-up singer is a superstar. She’s got amazing pipes. We expect her to go very far. Hopefully, she can believe in herself a little more. As Simon told her during her initial audition in Memphis, “Melinda, we have a lot of people who come in here with a lot of attitude and a lot of confidence, and they’re not very good.  You walk in with no confidence, no attitude, and yet you are a brilliant singer...a brilliant singer, seriously, you know you are what it’s all about, a great voice.  I’m concerned about the lack of confidence about the fact that you’ve been in the background, but let me tell you, you are in the top two percent of good singers this year.”  We hate to agree with him, but…oh heck, just get out of your own way, Melinda, and you could be the next American Idol.

Gina Glocksen, 22, Naperville, Illinois – Gina is yet another serial-auditioner. This is her third try and first time to make it to the semifinals. She loves rock and once sang in a Chicago-based band called Catfight. Gina is a dental assistant by day who has been performing for the majority of her young life.

Haley Scarnato, 24, San Antonio, Texas – is a wedding band singer – she’s been doing that since she was 15. She has said that Celine Dion is a ‘personal hero’. (It burns! Please say it ain't so.) She’s also pretty and commercial-looking which goes a long way to explain why she’s in the Top 24.

Jordin Sparks, 17, Glendale, Arizona – Jordin’s daddy is former NFL player Phillippi Sparks. (He used to play for the Dallas Cowboys.) In 2006, Jordin won a Next Plus Size Model search in Phoenix and was featured in the December issue of Seventeen magazine. She previously auditioned for American Juniors and Star Search and has appeared on America’s Most Talented Kids twice. Jordin often sings the National Anthem for Arizona sports teams like the Phoenix Suns, Cardinals and Diamondbacks. (She's also the only Idol semifinalist this season with her own wikipedia page - so far). 

Stephanie Edwards, 19, Savannah, Georgia – is a graduate of Windsor of Forest High School. She often performs under the name ‘Uniek.’ She auditioned in Memphis and hasn’t seen much camera time yet. However, she has performed at the famous Apollo Theater.

Leslie Hunt, 24, Chicago – she’s the lead singer for a Jazz/Blues band called Mark Twang. She hails from St. Charles, IL and is currently a dog walker who is studying to become a certified dog trainer. Leslie also plays the piano.

Alaina Alexander, 24, West Hollywood, California – was about to give up her dream of being a singer before making it to Hollywood. She said she’d been trying to make it in the industry for six years already and was ready to go back home to attend college. However, now that she’s a semifinalist, we’re sure those plans have been put on the backburner. Last night, she couldn’t stop crying when she was given the good news by the judges. She asked them for some ‘criticism’ to help her improve. Simon told her to “blow her nose.”

Sabrina Sloan, 27, Los Angeles – she’s married (her maiden name is Scherff) and has toured nationally with the musical Hairspray. Sabrina is also a graduate of Northwestern University.

Lakisha Jones, 27, Flint, Michigan – this single mom of a three year old works in a bank. She began singing at the age of five in church. She can really sang, people. Lakisha studied opera and classical music while attending the University of Michigan. We predict big things for this amazing soul sistah. She’s incredible.

Nicole Tranquillo, 20, Philadelphia – sings ‘crazy vocals’ for a band called McSky/SoulSchool. She’s a grad of Conrad Weiser High School and currently attends the University of the Arts. She’s a vocal major and has been taking lessons since she was 12 years old.

Amy Krebs, 22, Federal Way, Washington – lived in Germany for three years and speaks fluent German. She attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. She has a big voice that’s waiting for its showcase. Hopefully, she’ll go far enough in the competition to make her mark.

Antonella Barba, 20, Point Pleasant, New Jersey – auditioned with her best pal, Amanda Coluccio. She’s pretty – even Tommy Daniels, an almost-ran last night, took big-time notice. Antonella’s also smart. She goes to Catholic University in Washington, DC, where she hopes to earn a degree in architecture (if stardom doesn’t take her away first.)

There you have it – the Top 24. It’s our turn to vote, America. The competition begins on Tuesday night at 8pm ET on FOX.