American Idol Top 9

American Idol's top 9 contestants were chosen out of the top 10 left remaining in the competition.

The American Idol Season 7 Top 9 were announced on the episode that aired on March 26, 2008 at 9pm Eastern and 8pm Central. The results show followed the night where performers sang songs that were written during the year they were born. Highlights of the night included: David Cook's "Billie Jean", Michael John's "We Are the Champions", and Kristy Lee Cook's "God Bless the USA".

Ultimately Chikezie Eze was eliminated at the end of the program.

Former Transportation Security Administration bag screener Chikezie Eze was born in Inglewood, California. He was on both the sixth and seventh seasons of American Idol. During his second shot at stardom he was voted off after he sang a rendition of the Luther Vandross song "If Only for One Night".

• Ryan started off the show expressing shock over the elimination of Alexis Grace last week. Paula thinks that Alexis chose the wrong songs, but is a fantastic singer.

• The mentors tonight are Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy Jr. from Motown Records in honor of the record company and the hits that have been created through them. Chart-topping artists like Gladys Knight and the Pips, the Jackson 5 and others were featured.

• The contestants took a tour (minus Megan Joy and Michael Sarver, as they were sick) of the Motown Museum. Lil Rounds was deeply touched at the sights of the museum and the history of it all.

• Smokey Robinson said Motown Records was so successful because they didn't make "black music," they made music for everyone.

• Matt Giraud sang "Let's Get It On" by Marvin Gaye. In practice, Smokey Robinson told Matt that Marvin would have loved Matt's version of the song. "That would have floored him."

• Randy said "you set this off on a tone, that run you did at the end and how strong your falsetto, man, you are a challenger for that top spot." Kara thinks there are a lot of girls out there going "yeah, lets get it on." She thinks he's been kind of shy and reserved, but wishes he would have pushed the performance to the next level. Paula said that Matt showed a "sexy, cool vibe." Listening to Matt is like wearing a great old pair of worn-in jeans. Simon thinks that it's a brilliant choice of song, and that Matt's voice "absolutely suits this song, you absolutely are one of the front runners in this competition."

• YouTube Video: Matt Giraud "Let's Get It On" (Time: 1:51)

• This week, Kris Allen sang "How Sweet It Is," also by Marvin Gaye. Smokey Robinson said that "Kris blew me away." Kris asked for a bit of advice on how to start the song, Robinson told him to not touch a thing, "don't touch that dial!"

• Kara thought that he made it original, that he made his mark on that song by making it very dynamic. Paula is happy that Kris is coming into his own and that his ending note was brilliant. "I'm really proud of you, you're growing and growing every week." Simon said that it was smart to do his own version of the song. He feels that Kris needs to believe in himself more and show more star-power, he needs to be more conceded. Randy thinks Kris is consistent and "it's all good right now baby, it's all good."

• YouTube Video: Kris Allen "How Sweet It Is" (Time: 1:55)

• Scott MacIntyre responded to Paula's comments last week about getting away from the piano, saying that behind the piano is where he belongs. Scott wants to play the piano and sing when the competition is over and believes he should stay true to himself now. He sang "Can't Hurry Love" by Diana Ross and the Supremes. Smokey Robinson said that Scott brought the song up to date and it's very contemporary.

• Paula began the judging by saying Scott brought something different by having the back-up singers surrounding the piano. "When you feel it, the audience feels it too." Simon said there was a line in the song that said "how much more can you take," (audience boos) "Come on Scott, it wasn't a great version of the song and your piano playing was terrible, it was kind of like honky-tonk piano and it didn't sound right. It was completely the wrong song for you." Randy kind of agrees, calling it a "hotel performance" and that it wasn't the right song, Scott can handle bigger songs. Kara thinks he brought "tempo" tonight, but wasn't crazy about Scott's liberties with the melody.

• YouTube Video: Scott MacIntyre "Can't Hurry Love" (Time: 1:51)

• Ryan asked Paula how Scott's performance compared to the first two contestants. After Simon interrupted her countless times, Paula reached under the table saying "I have something for you." She came back up and handed him crayons and coloring books because he was acting like a 6-year-old. (Why does she keep crayons and coloring books under the judges table?)

• After the commercial break, Ryan asked Paula what else was under the table. Paula responded "it's under my skirt." Too weird.

• Megan Joy sang "For Once in My Life" by Stevie Wonder. Smokey Robinson thinks that Megan is half jazz and half cabaret, and that she's refreshing and different. He believes that she's the most original contestant Idol has ever had.

• Randy said that he has mad love her Megan and that he loves her outfit, but "dude, that song was a train wreck for me man. It was so bizarre, that song that fast doesn't fit what you do." Kara agreed with Randy, adding that she should have sang "My Guy." "You weren't dominating the song, the song was dominating you and that's not the Megan that we're used to." Paula opens up by telling Megan that she's a stunning beauty that takes her breath away. "The camera loves you, but I'm going to have to agree that this wasn't the right song for you." Simon started saying "oh dear, oh dear, dear dear." "The good news is that you look good, the bad news is that it was horrible, and whoever was advising you, I would fire." He believes that she could be in serious jeopardy because of her performance.

• YouTube Video: Megan Joy Corkrey "For Once in My Life" (Time: 1:44)

• Anoop Desai sang "Ooh Baby, Baby" by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Robinson said he felt the song when Anoop sang it, that he did "such a beautiful job."

• Kara began by saying that it was one of the most beautiful songs ever written and that it's a very hard song to sing because goes from being in your chest then to your head. There were moments when you were singing out of your chest when I really connected to you. What you're showing people is "you can sing, you have a skill set." She advises Anoop to push it more and change the melodies in upcoming weeks. Paula wants to see more confidence, but loves his phrasing, delivery and falsetto. Simon thought it was a great vocal, but thought that Anoop looked like he was half-asleep during the performance. He needs to work on showmanship. Randy asks Anoop to turn it back up next week and "turn it up next week, get the party on."

• YouTube Video: Anoop Desai "Ooh Baby Baby" (Time: 1:49)

• Michael Sarver sang "Ain't To Proud To Beg" by The Temptations. Smokey Robinson wants Sarver to use a bigger voice to sing the song, "pound it a little more."

• Paula said it felt a little "Las Vegas" to her. Simon said "you have no chance of winning this competition with that vocal." Randy agreed and added that it wasn't Sarver's best performance. Kara wants to see the artist in Sarver come out.

• YouTube Video: Michael Sarver "Ain't Too Proud to Beg" (Time: 1:48)

• Lil Rounds sang "Heat Wave" by Martha and the Vandellas.

• And the power is out due to our wonderful Texas thunderstorms. No worries ladies and gents, we'll get this back up as soon as possible!

• Ok, we're back. Sorry for the interruption.

• YouTube Video: Lil Rounds "Heat Wave" (Time: 1:48)

• Adam Lambert sang "Tracks of My Tears," also by Smokey Robinson. Robinson said that he's never heard it sung like that before, he was very proud of Adam's interpretation.

• Wow, Adam has his hair slicked back and is wearing a suit! It looks like a young Elvis!

• Adam received a standing ovation from Smokey Robinson and Kara. Kara believed it was one of the best performances of the night. Paula says that Adam is completely in his own league and loves that he uses the element of surprise by the way he looks tonight. "You are exciting, you are it!" Simon disagreed with Kara, he thinks it was "the" performance of the night. You were able to sum up everything we tried to say tonight about being relevant. You tonight, have emerged to me as a star. Randy said that he sang such tender moments, "unbelievable moments, you were hot tonight!."

• YouTube Video: Adam Lambert "Tracks of My Tears" (Time: 6:21)

• Danny Gokey sang "Get Ready" by The Temptations. Smokey Robinson recommended that he sing the whole song, not leave anything for the background singers.

• Paula is happy because Gokey gives a "first-class performance every week." Simon thought it was clumsy and "amatuerish." Randy said "you remind me of the great Levi Stubbs, you have a "dope voice, I loved the energy and feeling of it." Kara loved his personality and thought the performance was good, not great.

• YouTube Video: Danny Gokey "Get Ready" (Time: 1:49)

• Alison Iraheta sang "Papa Was a Rolling Stone" by The Temptations. Smokey Robinson advised her to study her lyrics more before the performance.

• Paula and Kara were both on their feet for Allison.

• Randy thinks Allison "is one of the dopest singers of this season." Kara can't believe that Allison was in the bottom three last week, "you sing like you've been singing for 400 years! That was from God! You can't teach that!" (Paula is wearing a mustache, looks like it was painted on with a magic marker!) Paula said that Allison looks fantastic. (Paula's trying to wipe off the mustache and is talking with her hands in front of her mouth out of embarrassment.) Simon said that Allison is a "survivor, and that was one of your best performances.)

• YouTube Video: Allison Iraheta "Papa was a Rolling Stone" (Time: 1:40)

• The results are in, over 36 million votes came in, more than any top 10 in the history of American Idol.

• The show started with a pre-recorded melody of Motown classics. "Set Me Free Why Don't You Babe," "You're All I Need To Get By" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" were included.

• This week's Ford commercial featured the song "Pocketful of Sunshine" by Natasha Bedingfield, highlighting some kind of hybrid SUV. They didn't show the actual name of the car though. Weird.

• Rooooben! He's back on the idol stage singing his new hit "Together" from his Love Is album. It's expected to be released on May 19, 2009. Ruben has been married since he was last on the show. (He's dripping with sweat, some things never change!)

• Lil Rounds thought the flight on the private jet was "amazing, everything was good." Matt said it was awesome being back in his home state, if only for 10 hours. Matt was thrilled to be shown the Motown museum by "legends" Smokey Robinson and Berry Gordy Jr.

• Ok, moving right along, let's get some results.

• Adam Lambert is safe!

• Matt Giraud is in the bottom three!

• Kris Allen is safe!

• Lil Rounds is safe!

• Michael Sarver is in the bottom three!

• More to be revealed later.

• Joss Stone and Smokey Robinson sang a duet, "You're The One For Me" from his upcoming album Time Flies When You're Having Fun due to hit shelves in May.

• More results:

• Allison Iraheta is safe!

• Danny Gokey is safe!

• Scott MacIntyre hit the bottom three, but was sent back with the other contestants as safe.

• Megan Joy is safe.

• The bottom two are Matt Giraud and Michael Sarver.

• Simon says the judges veto may be used tonight if either one of the contestants do well in their final performance.

• Stevie Wonder sang a melody of his hits, "My Cherie Amour," "Very Superstitious," "Overjoyed" and "All About The Love Again."

• After 36 million votes, Michael Sarver received the least. When he realized he'd have to sing for his life, he said "oh crap, I have to sing after Stevie Wonder?"

• After a few tense moments, Kara said it was very good tonight, but Simon made the final call stating they would not be using the veto on him. Tune in next week as we live-blog again on American Idol Spoilers.