My house is just like the millions of households across America who are glued to the set every night that American Idol is on. Since I coach people on their showmanship or presence on a regular basis, Im often in agreement with Simon about how the singer appears. I seem to agree most with Simon because he regularly looks for the X Factor in the contestants and then I seem to be on the same page as Paula. Shes a generous spirit and such a lovely person who genuinely wants the contestants to succeed. Randy is probably the best in terms of the vocals and he can be quite unpredictible.

I love this show because it highlights exactly what I do for the average professional.

My specialty is getting people to have the X Factor.

I know it when I see it; and I know how to let the others get it.

This past week a few contestants were let go. In my opinion this is the reason:

Ayla is gorgeous and perfect. She comes from a perfect home. She gets good grades, is a star at everything she does. Both of her parents are well known in their high level professions and well thought of in their careers. The problem? Ayla was TOO perfect and people did not pull for her. People dont WANT the perfect people to win. They want the ones with the flaws. What she could have done and can do going forward: Since she is naturally gorgeous and is completely breathtaking even in her sweatiest times on the basketball court, Ayla needed to be seen with her helping someone less fortunate. She needed to show that her goal wasnt just to strive to be better and all about her, but that there was a certain child who had challenges that she sang for or a cause to work for. (Remember Clay Aiken?)

Gedeon was the guy that Simon told that he didnt like his smile. The interesting thing was that it was doubtful that anyone had said that to Gedeon before; they had probably always complimented it since its so big so in your FACE. But, there is a certain truth to what Simon said. I think subconsciously the big and constant smile was annoying to others. No one can be happy all the time and it comes off as insincere. His voice was the most soulful beautiful voice, yet Gedeon needed to tone down the attitude, the smile and the blessing everyone after they spoke with him. He had the goods, he just oversold it. Had he been understated, lost the big hair and maintained a since of humble, hed still be in the competition.

Kinnik Sky should have a good career as an actor/ singer anyway. She proved herself to be a class act and probably didnt need to try to be country when shes really a lovely woman who has a classy side. Her song choices needed to show WHO she is, not who she wants to be. Kinnik: Stick to classic, classy songs, jazz, something like that. After youve had a few hits, expand to fit in the others but you LOOK like a Jazz artist and that is what is going to sell YOU.

Will- The darling, gentleman who sang How Sweet it is sang it 10x better the second night when he really was loose and had fun with it. I think that the secret to him not getting to the next stage was his age or lack of showmanship. He just didnt have the confidence to do anything unique or different. If I would have been coaching him, I probably would have selected a more modern song and gone for that 11-15 year old vote and gotten him to show a bit more edge which would have gotten the 20 something women interested. As it was he just came across as sweet. Not memorable.

By Edge, I mean what Kelly Pickler did! As she sang she shimmied to the floor and back up again without as much as a struggle shown anywhere on her lovely face. It was sweet and sexy and unique and risky. It appears that someone worked with Kelly to perfect those moves because she did it without even looking nervous until afterwards when Simon embarrassingly called her a minx. After he said it, Simon picked up a huge cup and drank from it, thus covering his face. I have the feeling he was a tad embarrassed that he blubbered out those words to the world. He was attracted to what she did and his blood was boiling. Paula and Randy were just as shocked and in awe over what Kelly did. She won a huge fan base that night, especially by being so enthusiastic that anyone would find her appealing. Her attitude is fresh and genuine. Shell go far in this competition.

I just have to say a few words about Brenna. Brenna has probably had to struggle since childhood to get anyones attention. Unfortunately she has developed into a person who craves it and tries to pull the attention to her, not naturally attract it. She needs to go to her home town and start helping other people IMMEDIATELY and remake her attitude. Shell never sell 1 album with her current attitude. She needs to look at Tonia Harding as her guide and be willing to BECOME classy not stay in the same place. She isnt appealing whatsoever but she can recover if she puts herself in some humbling situations to help those less fortunate. Shell start to be grateful and not so arrogant.

Ace! Let me just say that the ONLY thing that is going against this guy is that he moved to Hollywood to seek fame and fortune. That might go against him in the last show or two when other contestants are genuinely untapped talent. He already KNOWS he has talent. Hes going for the tops. But, he DOES have the goods. He has the look that will send women into outer space. Hes 1000x more genuine than Constintine from last year who tried to be sexy to capture the female vote. All he did for women who are a bit older is make them roll their eyes. Anyone who TRIES to be sexy comes off as ridiculous.

Some tips for the Top 12:

Paris stop saying you have favor. Thats going to start sounding arrogant and no one knows what youre talking about (except those people who listen to preachers talk about it). Go and have fun in your songs but please start being a bit more gracious and surprised when they compliment you.

Melissa- youre bordering on being too raw. Youre going to have to show a different side: Smart, athletic, or classy. Youre just looking a bit too sexy and thats going to be a turn off. Your voice is fantastic, and if you can command the stage by working on using the WHOLE stage and showing vulnerability on stage, then youre going to show that new side and gain new fans.

Taylor Youre awesome! Keep it up!

Katherine Let them doll you up big time. Its going to be fun and win you votes.

BUCKY Get some ATTITUDE man. (Id LOVE to work with Bucky!) Hes got an awesome voice but doesnt believe it or know it. He needs to "jam on it" and have a "take no prisoners" attitude. He has room to grow in this competition! Simon predicts hes going to be gone next week I bet. But if Bucky could work on his showmanship, hed beat Kevin and keep going. He has raw talent, good looks and can sing a tune!

Mandissa, Chris and Elliot Youre all stars!

Lisa- Youre borderline too perfect. You better start screaming and playing it up a bit that youre not perfect all the time. If youre TOO poised, its a turn off. You're ONLY 16!!! Get a bit rowdy on your play time and let the cameras see that. It wouldnt hurt to show that during a song either. People need to know you can let your hair down and not be afraid to get dirty.

Kevin Keep doing what youre doing. Youre getting noticed as the cute boy and the nerd who has a voice. Youre perfect. Youre just too young to try to be act older, so youre perfect and youre going to get noticed. Youre not going to win, but your life has now changed. Congratulations!

So there you have it. Some already have the X Factor, and some dont. But with a few tweaks here and there, they could all have it and become memorable long after this competition is over.

Good luck to the top 12!