Chapel Hill's Idol hopeful makes top ...13!

By David Menconi, Staff writer
Anoop Desai's "American Idol" dream is still alive.

Thursday night's wild-card round concluded with one of the most dramatic last-second turn-arounds in the show's history -- a decision to expand the final group from 12 to 13 to accommodate UNC-Chapel Hill student Desai. Earlier in the show, he performed Bobby Brown's "My Prerogative," earning generally positive marks from the judges.

"You slayed it," Randy Jackson said, although fellow judge Simon Cowell was more measured.

"You're like an enthusiastic dog," Cowell said. "Not the best singer we'll hear, but people like you."

After his performance, Desai got in a shout-out to his hometown and the memory of Eve Carson, the late student-body president who was murdered a year ago today.

"It's been a tough day, we're all thinking of Eve and I love you, Chapel Hill," Desai said.

As the judges announced their decisions at the end of the show, Desai was pitted against Matt Giraud for the 12th and final spot. Giraud was awarded the last spot, until Cowell announced that the final group would be a top-13 this year.

North Carolina's other finalist, Ricky Braddy of Elizabeth City, did not make it through.

Desai will resume competition on "American Idol" next Tuesday.


Source: chapelhillnews.com