American Idol Season 6 Episode 16 Week 8A: Top 10 Men Perform

Week 8A of American Idol season 6 sees the Top 10 men take the stage to sing their hearts out in hopes of staying in the competition. The episode kicks off with a montage of the contestants reflecting on their journeys so far, and what it means to them to be a part of American Idol.

First up to perform is Chris Richardson, who tackles Keith Urban's "Tonight I Wanna Cry". The judges are impressed with Chris's vocal range and emotional performance, with Simon noting that he's "definitely stepped up his game since last week".

Next is Blake Lewis, who chooses to rap and sing his way through "Virtual Insanity" by Jamiroquai. The judges are divided on Blake's performance, with Randy saying he "loved it", Paula calling it "unique", and Simon stating that it was "a bit self-indulgent". Despite the mixed feedback, Blake's fans are thrilled with his performance and start voting in droves.

Phil Stacey takes the stage next, and performs "Missing You" by John Waite. The judges are unanimous in their praise for Phil's vocals, with Paula getting emotional and telling him, "You just took my breath away".

Sanjaya Malakar follows with a performance of "Bathwater" by No Doubt, complete with a faux-hawk hairstyle that has been garnering a lot of attention from fans and media alike. While some viewers are still questioning whether Sanjaya has what it takes to be a serious contender, Paula commends him for his "fearlessness" and "innovative" style.

Jared Cotter is up next, and he chooses to sing "If You Really Love Me" by Stevie Wonder. The judges are impressed with Jared's smooth vocals, but Simon cautions him to "start taking some risks" if he wants to stand out in the competition.

Chris Sligh takes the stage next and performs "Typical" by Mute Math. While some viewers find Chris's quirky style refreshing, Simon doesn't think his performance was "memorable enough" to earn him a spot in the top 10.

Next is Brandon Rogers, who sings "Rock With You" by Michael Jackson. The judges are impressed with Brandon's stage presence and vocal ability, with Randy telling him, "You showed America what kind of artist you can be".

Sundance Head follows with a soulful rendition of "Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett. The judges are all singing Sundance's praises, with Simon telling him he has "the best voice in the competition".

Stephanie Edwards is the only woman in the top 10, and she takes the stage next to sing "Dangerously in Love" by Beyonce. While the judges agree that Stephanie has a great voice, they feel that her performance was lacking in energy and conviction.

Closing out the night is AJ Tabaldo, who sings "Feeling Good" by Michael Buble. The judges are impressed with AJ's smooth vocals, but Simon warns him to "not get too complacent" if he wants to stay in the competition.

Overall, week 8A of American Idol season 6 showcases a diverse group of contestants with varying styles and levels of talent. While some stand out more than others, it's clear that all of them are fighting hard to be the next American Idol.