DIDI BENAMI
WHAT'S IN TUNE: Her feathery warble is one of the most distinctive on the season 9 roster — think Megan Joy with a better understanding of her instrument and without the consistent pitch problems. And when she chooses the right song (her semifinal ''Rhiannon,'' her Hollywood Week ''Terrified''), Didi sounds like a threat to this year's perceived front-runners.
WHAT'S OFF KEY: It'll take versatility and nerves of steel for Didi to survive 11 more weeks of wildly varied themes and intense scrutiny from the judges. If the frequently teary-eyed competitor's foray into deep-rooted soul (''Lean on Me'') is any indicator, she'll need to work on adapting disparate genres to suit her style. Plus, she cannot sing a ballad every week.
REQUEST LIST: Modest Mouse's ''Float On,'' Kate Bush's ''Wuthering Heights,'' Depeche Mode's ''Personal Jesus''
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