7 News Features: Hollywood Hopefuls

WSVN -- Out of the top 24 Idol hopefuls, everyone already has their favorites. The real question is: Who has what it takes to dominate Season Seven?

Now that we know who they are, the top 24 from American Idol Season Seven. The question is, who will it be?

From Hollywood, California we sized up the competitors, choosing the stand-outs. Topping the list, Florida's own Syesha Mercado.

Shireen Sandoval: "Are you sizing up the competition?"

Syesha Mercado: "Um, really what I am trying to focus on is myself and being the best that I can be."

The Deco fast pass winner losing her voice before the first round of auditions in Hollywood.

Shireen Sandoval: "I think that everyone back in Miami knew that you were going to make the top 24. Were you surprised at all?"

Syesha Mercado: "I was hoping that I would make it."

Syesha making a killer comeback the second time around. Now there's no stopping her.

And there's no stopping Australian-born singer Michael Johns. His voice and presence ooze stardom.

His laid back way, combined with fantastic talent may give him the edge he'll need when the pressure's on.

Michael Johns: "I don't feel like I am competing with David or Ramie, you know what I mean? It's just you go out there and sing your best and see what happens. That's how I look at it."

Asiah Epperson has the same "it" factor and a personality to match.

Asiah Epperson: "Everyone has a wonderful voice, so you know you have to bring more. You've got to bring your personality, you've got to be personable, you've got to make America love you."

The same holds true for Miramar native Ramielle Maluby. Her big voice matching her sunny disposition, giving this glamour girl a major "it" factor.

Ramielle Maluby: "The competition is like a big family. It's kind of like helping each other out. It's like you sound good here. It's not really like competing. It's just having fun and taking it all in."

A lot of initial buzz surrounding contestant Carly Smithson.

The Irish girl made it to the top 24 during Season Four, but last minute green card issues keeping her out of the competition.

Shireen Sandoval: "When did you first know that you could sing, that you had pipes?"

Carly Smithson: "Ahhh, probably about 3. I come from Ireland, so there's a lot of sessions in our houses we have a lot of house parties."

Those parties and jam sessions developing Carly's love for music and singing.

Brooke White impressing judges with her unusual take on pop music. Behind the scenes she told me what she misses most about home.

Brooke White: "I'm one of those weird people who likes to clean. I like to clean my house."

And last, but not least, South Floridian David Archuleta. Yes, he's one of the youngest in the top 24, but his talent reaches beyond his 17 years. He started watching Idol when he was just 10.

David Archuleta: "The number one thing here is just to learn, to learn everything I can to help me in the future, and we are all hoping for the best."