With an estimated 12,000 hopefuls registered to audition for "American Idol," the harmonizing masses in line at the United Center are aware that it will take more than a great voice to stand out. They need a bittersweet backstory, or an outrageous look. Some sort of unforgettable identity.

"I'm a Mormon girl who milks cows!" offers Mya Rowe, 27, brightly. The massage therapist and farm girl from Granton, Wis., population 411, is ready to face any amount of criticism or rejection if it means a shot at Kelly Clarkson-sized fame.

"I grew up in a family of 12 children," she laughs. "I can handle anything." And what will she do with all the money that accompanies stardom? "As long as I can buy more cows when I'm done," says Rowe.

Bridgette Powell, 19, drove in from Jackson, Mich., and won't be heartbroken if she's sent back home instead of to Hollywood. This is her third time auditioning. "Every single time, I've gone a step further in the rounds," she says.

This time, she has it figured out. "They want a lot of personality, and apparently cocky is a best seller," says Powell. She is prepared. "I took drama in high school," she says.

"American Idol" and its strange voting process made the front page of the New York Times with the headline "AT&T May Have Swayed 'Idol' Results." From the story:

By EDWARD WYATT
LOS ANGELES -- AT&T, one of the biggest corporate sponsors of "American Idol," might have influenced the outcome of this year's competition by providing phones for free text-messaging services and lessons in casting blocks of votes at parties organized by fans of Kris Allen, the Arkansas singer who was the winner of the show last week.

Representatives of AT&T, whose mobile phone network is the only one that can be used to cast "American Idol" votes via text message, provided the free text-messaging services at two parties in Arkansas after the final performance episode of "American Idol" last week, according to the company and people at the events.

There appear to have been no similar efforts to provide free texting services to supporters of Adam Lambert, who finished as the runner-up to Mr. Allen.

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Paige here again. It should make for entertaining gossip today, but many "Idol" fans are saying that it's a non-story. Idolator.com breaks it down and says that these kinds of parties have been going on for years. The "representatives of AT & T" are just salespeople from local stores trying to drum up business.

What do you think? Shady, or no foul?

Spoilers! Click on the jump...

Join me at 6:45 p.m....

By Paige Wiser
pwiser@suntimes.com

Singing or dancing? TV viewers declared their preference last night with a click of the remote - and "American Idol" continues to dominate our evenings, with about 23.7 million viewers.

But "Dancing With the Stars" is getting a leg up. The final night of singing for "Idol" was actually the lowest-rated finale ever, even including its first season, when it aired in the summer. "DWTS" drew 20.1 million viewers, holding onto its audience from last year.

Interestingly, the new high school musical "Glee" had both singing [ital]and[unital] dancing, not to mention a cushy slot post-"American Idol." It was also promoted within an inch of its young life. "Glee" hooked a passable 9.9 million viewers - but FOX bragged that it was the No. 1 topic on Twitter all night.

By Paige Wiser, TV Critic
Pwiser@suntimes.com

"American Idol" is officially the world's hottest ticket: Last night, [ital]Suri Cruise[unital] was in the audience. The star power of Sir Anthony Hopkins' presence was a far distant second.
There was no word on who Suri's backing in the competition between "the guy next door" and "the guyliner," but here's what the judges had to say . . .

Adam Lambert's "Mad World": "It was a little bit overtheatrical," said Simon Cowell. Again.

Kris Allen's "Ain't No Sunshine": "If you can't feel a Kris Allen performance and he doesn't move you, there's something wrong with you," said Kara DioGuardi.

Adam's "Change Is Gonna Come": "I know with every fiber of my being that you will be iconic," said Paula Abdul.

Kris's "What's Goin' On": "It was like three friends in their bedroom strumming along to Marvin Gaye," shrugged Simon.

For the record, Simon gave the first round to Kris, and the second to Adam.
But any high points of the evening were quickly forgotten when the final two had to sing the annual "struggle-and-achieve" money-making single, co-written by Kara. "No Boundaries" wasn't suited for either Adam's histrionics or Kris's mellow. Even Kara acknowledged as much, asking voters to judge on the season's performances as a whole - not on her song. Randy even told Adam his version was "pitchy."

"I'm not going to judge that song," said Simon graciously.

Maybe a duet would make it listenable?

At least the contestants seem emotionally prepared for the outcome. "Me and Adam said we're not competing, we're just coming out to put on a good show tonight," said Kris.

Guest performances for tomorrow night's performance reportedly include Lionel Richie, Carlos Santana, Cyndi Lauper, Queen Latifah, Black Eyed Peas, Keith Urban and Jason Mraz.

Join me at 6:45 p.m.

By Paige Wiser
pwiser@suntimes.com

Last night's "American Idol" was 98 percent filler and 2 percent predictable. Those of us bored with all the hometown footage were almost rooting for Adam Lambert to be voted off, just for a thrill. But the flamboyant front-runner made it into the final two at the last minute. And even Katy Perry, singing her latest, "Waking Up in Vegas," threw Adam her support - she had his name written across the back of her Elvis-esque cape.

Join me at 7:45 p.m.!

Adam Lambert made the most recent cover of Entertainment Weekly - alone - and last night the judges confirmed his superiority, stopping just short of coronating him.

Join me at 6:45 p.m....

There's no Danny Gokey or Kris Allen in sight. "Let the coronation begin," says the Sun-Times's Misha Davenport.

Allison Iraheta, a neo-Kelly Clarkson with fuchsia hair, was cut last night, leaving an all-male final three: Adam Lambert, Kris Allen and Danny Gokey.

Danny was expected to go home after he slaughtered Aerosmith's "Dream On." At least Danny was able to laugh at himself, saying that he heard his last screeching notes had been made into ring tones.

Allison - never a Simon favorite - was finally brought down by Janis Joplin's "Cry Baby." Allison was teary but defiant at the end.

The rest of show was packed by an energetic No Doubt fronted by Gwen Stefani (who even did pushups), and Daughtry debuting the single "No Surprise." It was also no surprise that Paula Abdul's much-hyped singing performance appeared to have been prerecorded. Listen up, kids: Do as Paula says, not as she does.

The L.A. Times' "Idol Tracker" has tracked down the salaries of Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul. Cowell gets about $36 million from each season of the show alone, whereas reports say Abdul gets about $2 million.

Abdul does, however, have a new album coming out -- and we'll get a sample of that on tonight's show. Negotiations to renew her contract as judge have begun, and Cowell has said that all four judges will be back.