12 "Idol" wannabes left; 2 are locals

NEW YORK — "American Idol" slimmed down the competition Thursday night, leaving 12 finalists — including two from the Seattle area — to compete for the ultimate prize: a record contract.

Antonella Barba, Sabrina Sloan, Jared Cotter and Jason "Sundance" Head were cast off Thursday in telephone voting, which drew about 37 million calls and text messages.

The performers who made the cut included Blake Lewis of Bothell and Sanjaya Malakar of Federal Way.

Other contestants remaining were La-Kisha Jones, Chris Sligh, Jordin Sparks, Phil Stacey, Melinda Doolittle, Brandon Rogers, Gina Glocksen, Chris Richardson, Stephanie Edwards and Haley Scarnato.

The show's tense final moments belonged to Malakar and Head, who were waiting to find out who would take the competition's 12th spot — and who would go home. Judge Paula Abdul was stunned to hear that Malakar, who is not exactly a judge favorite, was staying.

"I'm speechless," Abdul said. "This is a singing competition, and Sundance, you've been one of our finest."

How'd this happen? "The volume was turned down," quipped Simon Cowell, who has criticized Malakar, 17, for his "weird" stage presence.

"Somebody give me a job," 28-year-old Head, from Porter, Texas, said before leaving the stage. "I need a job."

So far this season, the show's sixth, men and women have been competing separately, with viewers voting off two of each sex weekly.

When the dozen finalists return Tuesday, the sexes will be blended, with one singer voted off each week. The winner will be chosen in May.