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.

When it came time for forming groups in Hollywood, Alisha Bernhardt had a tough time finding partners.

She blamed it on the fact that everyone hates cops; she is one.  But it seemed part of the problem was that she wanted to sing the Three Dog Night tune “Joy to the World,” and many of the youngsters in Hollywood only knew the Christmas song called “Joy to the World.”

Finally, Alisha landed with a group where one contestant proclaimed “I love cops.”  But, alas, she’ll be stuck singing “Stuck Like Glue.”   And, like some of the other featured groups, hers includes a contestant — Christian Lopez — who’s been bitten by the Idol bug.

Here are three members of “Those Girls and That Guy.”  If anyone knows the other two members, let me know and I’ll add them.

Alisha Bernhardt, 28, Indianapolis, Ind. (St. Louis)

Inspired to audition by: This is her last shot at auditioning.  “I’ve been singing at home a lot.  I thought this was a good avenue to get where I want to go.”
When was the first time you performed for an audience:  Singing at church at about 15.
What makes you unique:  She says she’s a “Jill of all trades,” a spin instructor at her gym, a cop, a singer, a songwriter and a former professional football player.
Favorite former Idol contestant:  Josh Gracin
Favorite Idol moment:  Getting the golden ticket and meeting Steven Tyler.
Why are you the next Idol:  “I want to be that person that people can look up to. I think the American Idol should be someone well rounded, not just someone with a voice. I think I can be that person.”

Also: Facebook

Christian Lopez, 16, Martinsburg, W.Va. (Pittsburgh)

Inspired to audition by:  Parents and friends encouraged him.
When was the first time you performed for an audience:  Age 10 in a musical, “Oliver,” for a local theater.
What makes you unique:  Says he plays many different instruments.
Favorite former Idol contestant:  Daughtry, because he changed songs a lot on Idol, especially “I Walk the Line.”
Favorite Idol moment:  Kiss performing with Adam Lambert.
Why are you the next Idol:  “I’m ready for the challenge. I think I can bring something special to the competition.”

Isabell Gallegos, 16, Cedarville, Texas (Galveston)

Inspired to audition by:  Inspired by the chance to sing and meet so many different people.
When was the first time you performed for an audience:  7th-grade talent show.  “I ended up losing horribly.  I didn’t even place.”  But the next year, she returned and won.
What makes you unique:  “I’m only 15 and a sophomore in high school, and I think people can relate to me because of that.”
Favorite former Idol contestant:  Haley Reinhart for her amazing voice and personality.
Favorite Idol moment:  Getting her golden ticket.
Why are you the next Idol:  “I absolutely love music, and my goal is to inspire people with music.”

On Facebook, she describes herself as “a small kid with big dreams” and a singer-songwriter. You can find videos of her performing there.