American Idol Finalists Speak Out

You've heard them sing in front of a national audience.

Now, let's see what the first three finalists on this season of American Idol - Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace and Michael Sarver - have to say about their experience so far. Each spoke to reporters this week about life on the show...

Gokey, on his late wife, Sophie: “I apologize to everybody if they feel like it’s shoved down in their face but it’s so fresh in my mind. It’s only been 7 months [since her death]. Honestly, this is a sob story I don’t want but it is shaping my life, and it’s causing hope for a lot of people. Now I have my mission set in stone.”

Grace, on being compared to Kelly Clarkson by Simon Cowell: "It just motivates me to do better in the competition and be myself and really connect with songs that I choose."

Sarver, on his working-class appeal: “I believe that real life people can relate to me, especially in the economy and the day that we live. It’s very difficult for a lot of people, and I see it as a chance to see someone rise from the ashes... I think people relate to that and it’s special to their hearts.”

Which of these American Idol finalists is your favorite so far? Click on each pic for an enlarged version.