Katelyn Epperly

How far can young and cute carry Katie Stevens and Katelyn Epperly this season on American Idol?

It's a question worth asking because these two semifinalists don't have the strongest voices on the show.

But Stevents, at least, has the most moving personal story of any contestant: she's extremely close to her grandmother, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease. The Boston native says she'd love nothing more than to achieve her dreams while her grandmother is still relatively cognizant.

Epperly, meanwhile, is a 19-year old from Iowa. She plays the piano and has served as the vocalist for Katelyn & the Bruises, a folk rock band.

Compare the hopefuls below and then vote in our poll...

Which semifinalist will go farther on American Idol?

We also encourage readers to sound off on a showdown between Michelle Delamor and Paige Miles. Which of these singers will do the best?

Thanks to the futility of the Cubs, Chicago is known as a city of lovable losers.

But Katelyn Epperly may change all that.

The curly-haired 19-year old from Iowa was the top auditioner in the Windy City last night. She told a sad personal story about her father leaving and then wowed American Idol judges with a version of Duffy's “Syrup and Honey."

Randy loved her unique sound, while guest judge Shania Twain told Epperly: “I think you have a voice that could sing a hit song."

What else do we know about Katelyn so far?

• She fronts a folk-rock band called Katelyn & the Bruises.
• She cites her musical influeces as Wilco, Good Old War, the Format, Thom Yorke and Fiona Apple, among others.
• She portrayed Dorothy in a 2004 production of The Wizard of Oz at the Des Moines Playhouse.

Other golden ticket recipients from Chicago included Charity Vance, John Park and Paige Dechausse. But, from this group, only Epperly is rumored to have advanced to the final 24.

Watch her audition below and sound off on her chances to be crowned the next American Idol.