David Archuleta looked like he was about to throw up or cry during the final performance round of “American Idol.” David Cook really did cry.

Archuleta did “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me,” “Imagine” and a finalist in the “Idol” songwriting contest, “In This Moment.” The judges loved him.

Cook performed “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For,” “The World I Know” and the songwriting contest contender, “Dream Big.” The judges were mixed.

If the judges have any say, it’s Archuleta who will win. Simon Cowell says, “What we’ve have witnessed is a knockout.” The results will be revealed on FOX Tonight.

One of Utah’s most famous entertainers is giving a local “American Idol” contestant advice on enjoying the experience.

Donny Osmond says he’s spoken with 17-year-old David Archuleta of suburban Murray in the past week and told him he should just relax.

“Just enjoy the process because it is 15 minutes of fame, so enjoy every (one) of those 15 minutes,” Osmond said.

Archuleta is one of nine remaining singer-contestants on Fox TV’s popular show.

Osmond says Archuleta could have a long career in entertainment if he takes advantage of the “American Idol” appearance.

“But you’ve got to ride that wave as long as possible and then reinvent yourself - continually reinventing yourself,” he said.

Osmond, 50, has been in the entertainment industry since he was 6, beginning with appearances on “The Andy Williams Show.” Since then, he’s had chart-topping hits, acted, hosted variety, talk and game shows and starred on Broadway.

We are just hours away from the “American Idol” Top 24 being revealed. I’ve poured over the eight audition shows and carefully watched the Hollywood rounds. Here is the list of the ten singers I think will be garnering your votes this season. I’ve based it on a number of factors from 1 to 10 – likeability, vocal ability, airtime and star quality.

David Archuleta – Considering he won Star Search at age 12, David already has a leg up on the competition. This 17-year-old’s vocal paralysis has not kept him down, he wowed the judges singing “Waiting on the World To Change” in San Diego and then nailed “Heaven” during the Hollywood rounds. His significant amount of airtime will help him sail through to the Top 12 and his young fan base will keep him there. He already has a group of fans that are calling themselves the ‘Arch Angels.’

Likeability – 10
Vocal Ability – 10
Airtime – 9
Star Quality –9
Idol Déja vu – Jon Peter Lewis

*****

Asia’h Epperson – This 18-year-old from Joplin, Missouri (pronounced Asia like the continent) brought me to tears when she sang “How Do I Live” by Lee Ann Rimes as a tribute to her father who passed away two days before the audition in an car accident. This girl oozes star quality. With significant airtime, an interesting breathy voice that earned her three yeses from the judges and a beautiful smile she’s my number one female to watch.

Likeability – 10
Vocal Ability – 8
Airtime – 9
Star Quality – 10
Idol Déja vu – Lisa Tucker

*****

Syesha Mercado – This 20-year-old from Miami, Florida already proved she can make it to the big time appearing as a contestant on ABC’s “The One”(an “Idol” rip off). If she can power through a song like she did in Hollywood with a sore throat she’ll power right through to the Top 12. She’s a triple threat actress, singer and model who has already appeared in a slew of commercials including one where she was behind the wheel of a Ford - something she’ll be doing again soon when we see those cheesy Ford commercials.

Likeability – 8
Vocal Ability – 9
Airtime: 9
Star Quality – 9
Idol Déja vu - Nadia Turner

*****

Brooke White - This 24-year-old nanny from Van Nuys will surely have two very unhappy twin girls when she sails into the Top 12 and out of her job as their caretaker. Her soulful rendition of “Like A Star” by Corrine Bailey Rae earned her three yeses from the judges and her brave piano performance during the Hollywood rounds has upped her already significant airtime and will surely help her win fans.

Likeability – 8
Vocal Ability – 9
Airtime: 10
Star Quality – 8
Idol Déja vu – Carmen Rasmusen

*****

Kady Malloy - There were plenty of cute southern blondes this season but none stood out to fans more than this 18-year-old from Houston, Texas who can do vocal impressions of singers like Britney Spears, Shakira and Gary LeVox (can’t wait to hear that one). As we have learned from Carrie Underwood, country and American Idol go together well which is maybe what made Simon utter “I’ve got a feeling about you” during her audition.

Likeability – 9
Vocal Ability – 9
Airtime: 7
Star Quality – 9
Idol Déja vu – Carrie Underwood

*****

Carly Smithson – Before we even got a glimpse of her audition in San Diego in front of the judges, the “Irish Girl” was causing controversy. Under her married name Carly Hennessy, she signed a multi-million dollar, six-album contract with MCA Records (Vivendi Universal) in 2000. She reportedly got a $100,000 advance and living expenses for two years while MCA spent $2.2 million on recording and promoting her album Ultimate High, that flopped. Idol fans sites began complaining that she was a ringer that the company behind “American Idol” put in the show in hopes of giving her a second shot at success. She got a significant amount of airtime with her husband at their tattoo parlor making her quite memorable and with a great performance at the Hollywood round. Any publicity is good publicity and I think Carly’s will put her through to the Top 12.

Likeability – 7
Vocal Ability – 9
Airtime – 10
Star Quality – 8
Idol Déja vu – Nikki McKibbin

*****

Amanda Overmyer - The “rock & roll” nurse, as Randy Jackson dubbed her, follows in the footsteps of past female rockers Gina Glocksen and Nikki McKibbin. Considering how well they both did I think her motorcycle riding days will have to a backseat for a while as she zooms her way into the Top 12. Likeability – 7
Vocal Ability – 7
Airtime: 10
Star Quality – 6
Idol Déja vu – Gina Glocksen

*****

Danny Noriega – Nigel Lythgoe promised this year we would not see another Sanjaya, yet something about this 17-year-old from Azusa, California makes me think otherwise. He already has the great hair going for him and a flamboyant personality – and the fact that he was the very last audition on the very last show will help up his remembrance factor.

Likeability – 8
Vocal Ability – 7
Airtime – 8
Star Quality - 7
Idol Déja vu – Sanjaya Malakar

*****

David Hernandez - It’s rare for someone who is only shown during the Hollywood rounds to make such an impression that they can win enough fans to get through to the Top 12. David is that exception. His stellar performance of “Love The One You’re With” proved he can command a stage and even Simon was impressed. He also has something in common with season six winner Jordin Sparks, they both competed in Arizona Idol.

Likeability – 9
Vocal Ability – 9
Airtime: 6
Star Quality – 8
Idol Déja vu – Phil Stacey

*****

David Cook - America made a mistake when they sent home Chris Daughtry in favor of Taylor Hicks and Katherine McPhee. Can this rocker right that wrong? Like Brooke Smith he has gotten some additional airtime during the Hollywood round promos for playing an instrument upping his recognizability factor big time.

Likeability – 7
Vocal Ability – 8
Airtime: 8
Star Quality – 7
Idol Déja vu – Chris Daughtry