Rossville’s Suddeth advances to ‘Idol’ top 24

Lauren Alaina Suddeth, a sophomore at Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe High School, advanced into the top 24 semifinalists tonight on “American Idol.”

Suddeth, daughter of Kristy and J.J. Suddeth, of Rossville, is one of 12 female singers who will sing for viewers’ votes Wednesday night. The top 12 male semifinalists will perform Tuesday. Top vote-getters from each night will conmprise Season 10’s finalists.

Suddeth met the judges dressed in a purple sequin and tulle minidress with pink sequined cowboy boots. The costume prompted questions from host Ryan Seacrest, who told her she had on “Barbie cowgirl boots.” Judge Jennifer Lopez compared her to Dolly Parton.

Judge Steven Tyler told Suddeth “we fell in love with you the first time we heard your voice” before giving her the good news that she had made it.

Also advancing to the top 24 was Paul McDonald, of Nashville, son of Susan McDonald, a physical therapy instructor at UTC. Lopez told McDonald his singing gave her goosebumps and Judge Randy Jackson congratulated him on a “job well done.”

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