Idol Chatter & Voice Views

Editor’s Note: I wish American Idol would give us a scorecard of sorts for Group Night. You know what I mean. A list of the team names and the members of each team. It would make it so much easier to follow along with who survives and who doesn’t. Especially when Idol identifies a couple of members of the team during the telecast and not the rest.

In an effort to make it a little easier for viewers, I’m providing profiles for four of the most visible teams from last Thursday’s episode. If the name of the contestant includes a link, that means I’ve written a separate profile of that singer. You can find all the profiles — more than 90 in all — by going here.

We apparently won’t have to wait long Wednesday to learn the fate of the quintet known as “The Betties.”  Jennifer Maisch was just opening her mouth to sing when the screen snapped to black on Thursday’s episode of American Idol.

The group splintered the night before the performance with the members deciding one-by-one that it was time to get some sleep.  Cari Quoyeser called it quits in the wee hours of the morning. But  Jennifer wanted to practice longer and was eventually left alone, on the phone, in tears, complaining to someone back home.

Eventually, Brianna Bell returned, and the two of them practiced for another half-hour before proclaiming themselves prime-time ready.  Is the rest of the group?  Will they benefit from the extra rest?  And how about determined young Gabrielle Cavassa, who came down with the Idol bug?

Meet members of “The Betties” …

Brianna-Marie Bell, 17, Stow, Ohio (Pittsburgh)

Inspired to audition by:  Watching the show since Season 1 and singing since in elementary school.
When was the first time you performed for an audience:  Sang “NYC” in Annie.  “It was so awesome because NYC is where I want to be.  I’m like, ‘Mom, this is what I want to do. I want to sing.  I want to be on stage.’
What makes you unique:  She says she’s a singer and a dancer and also does pageants.
Favorite former Idol contestant:  Haley Reinhart, for her unique voice.
Favorite Idol moment:  When the winner is announced.
Why are you the next Idol:  “I have been waiting for this moment for a very long time.  I love singing.  I love being on stage.  I have the confidence to do this. I have the support system to do this.”

Also:  She attends Munroe Falls High School.  Facebook.

Jennifer Maisch (aka Jen M), 21, Chevy Chase, Md., but lives in L.A. (San Diego)

Inspired to audition by:  Seeing so many people reach success around her.
When was the first time you performed for an audience:  Playing piano since 3 and performing since 5 or 6.
What makes you unique:  Says she came from a place “where nobody  really does this.”
Favorite former Idol contestant:  Kelly Clarkson
Favorite Idol moment:  The audition rounds.
Why are you the next Idol:  “I love to do this.  I’m passionate about it.  It’s the most important thing in my life.  No matter which way it goes, I’m going to still do it. It would be amazing to do it in front of a million people.”

Cari Quoyeser, 21, Houston, Texas (Galveston)

Inspired to audition by:  Her father and her producer.
When was the first time you performed for an audience:  At age 3 at a family function.
What makes you unique:  She has her own band and grew up in an unconventional way, attending about 10 schools and raising herself to a certain degree.  She’s a cheerleader as a singer for the Houston Texans.
Favorite former Idol contestant:  Carrie Underwood.  “I still love her music.”
Favorite Idol moment:  When a fellow contestant sang “Dancing with No Clothes.”
Why are you the next Idol:  “I have a purpose and a reason why I need to do this.  So many things have fallen into place in my life when it seemed like I had nothing going for me.”

Also:  She’s the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for a band called Suburban Warfare and also has her own Cari Q Band.  Facebook (where you can hear Cari originals).

Cherie Tucker, 23, Rochester, N.Y  (Portland)

Inspired to audition by:  Her mother. “She believed in me way before I believed in myself.”   This was her first time auditioning for anything.
When was the first time you performed for an audience:  At age 5 or 6 at an Easter program for her church.  “I actually did pretty good.”
What makes you unique:  Her ability to relate to lots of different people.  “I’ve been told I’m very bubbly and warm and personable.”
Favorite former Idol contestant:  Justin Guarini
Favorite Idol moment:  When Fantasia won and her reaction.
Why are you the next Idol:  “My story and how I can relate to so many people across the board.”

Gabrielle Cavassa, 17, Escondido, Calif.  (San Diego)

Inspired to audition by:  Saw Kelly Clarkson when she was in 1st grade and decided she wanted to do that.
When was the first time you performed for an audience:  She played Mamma pig in the “Three Little Piggies Opera.”
What makes you unique:  Says she’s happy and thinks she has a unique voice with a different tone.
Favorite former Idol contestant:  Haley Reinhart
Favorite Idol moment:  Casey Abrams playing the stand-up bass and singing “Georgia On My Mind” in Hollywood Week, Season 10.
Why are you the next Idol:  “I was born to be, and I’m feeling really good about it.  I think I’m pretty good. I hope America likes me.”

Also: Facebook