"American Idol" has now chosen its final 10 — the ones who are expected to be part of the "Idol" tour this summer and fall — and is continuing to eliminate contestants.

While other singers were ousted, Sanjaya Malakar, a former Kaua'i resident, lingers.

He may not be a great singer, but none of the departing would complain about that. "I knew, getting into this, that it wasn't just about singing," says Leslie Hunt, who was eliminated after making it to the final 20.

Malakar has built a popularity with young viewers — and with fellow contestants. "I love the kid, and he's a sweet guy," says Brandon Rogers, who finished No. 12 and took it in surprisingly good humor. ("I absolutely knew it was coming. ... I really feel at peace," he said.)

Sundance Head, eliminated after reaching the final 20, echoed that. "What America needs to understand is: You're seeing this kid grow up on TV. He's 17 years old; he's never been through this in his life. ... He's going to be a success in the music business. He's got all of the great looks and he's full of talent."

Besides, says Sabrina Sloan, who has followed the show for each of its five years, "People love him, and he has a fan base. People believe in him."

WHO GETS THE FOCUS?

Even before the voting began, viewers knew Malakar.

He kept being shown during the early auditions. So were some others while many contestants were ignored.

"It's hard to go against those people who have equivalent talent yet have established such huge fan bases," says A.J. Tabaldo, who was out in an early round.

Stephanie Edwards felt the same thing. "They didn't really show much of me throughout until, like, the top 24," she says.

EXTEMPORANEOUS SIDE

With only quick glimpses of some contestants, viewers might get the wrong idea.

One notion was that Edwards was sort of starched and mature.

"I'm not really that mature," she insists. "People may have thought I acted way older than 19. ... I've had some goofy moments, but America didn't see them."

Hunt did get to briefly display her humor. "I'm hugely goofy," she says. "I spend a good majority of my life laughing and making other people laugh."

Other skills get lost. Jared Cotter is a talented poet, Head says. Hunt and Alaina Alexander are both songwriters.

"I was thinking of ... doing my own song (next)," Alexander says, "but I didn't have the chance."