Photo GalleryMeet American Idol's Top 20!

The first cuts have been made: Now get to know Melinda Doolittle, Chris Richardson and the rest of the Idol Class of 2007

6 of 21

SANJAYA MALAKAR, 17

Federal Way, Wash.
Malakar – who loves to cook and worships Stevie Wonder – said making the Top 24 was "bittersweet" when his older sister and fellow Idol wannabe Shyamali got cut. But Paula Abdul is confident they picked the right Malakar, explaining that the 17-year-old "really evolved into his own" during Hollywood week.

Next Photo

Updated: Friday Feb 23, 2007 | 06:00 AM EST

Add PEOPLE Photos