?AMERICAN IDOL, SEASON 9? is nearing its climactic showdown, and the competition is heating up, with fans getting almost as excited as the contestants themselves ? yes, despite the proliferation of many other talent shows, ?AI? still rakes in millions of viewers. Here?s who some viewers think should be the next American Idol:

?I?m placing my money on Crystal Bowersox. She?s light years ahead of the rest of the contestants, in terms of performance, stage presence, originality and mass appeal. She reminds me of Janis Joplin and Bonnie Raitt. If she takes the title, she would be the first female folk rocker to win it. There?s nothing to hate about her; she?s naturally warm, charming and totally unassuming.

?Her runner-up? I?d like very much for Siobhan Magnus to face off with her in the finals. This glassblower?s got some real pipes. Too bad she?s too quirky for most of the viewers? and even the judges? tastes. She may be this season?s Lambert, but she simply doesn?t have the natural charm of Mama Sox.? ?Joyce Buenaventura, college student

Best voice

?Siobhan should win, because she has the best voice. I don?t care about the ?total package? thing ? who says a star has to have a great personality, anyway? She?s more real than the other contestants. She?s probably not going to win, though. I mean, look at what happened last year, they chose a safe winner just because Lambert made them uncomfortable. That?s why this is probably the last ?AI? season I?m going to watch. I?m hooked on ?Glee? now, anyway ?there?s more talent and no b.s. there.??Albert Borromeo, ESL teacher

?Ideally, it should either be a Crystal-Lee or Crystal-Siobhan showdown. Either way, Crystal?s going to win. Why? Because she has been leading the race ever since. Nobody ever came close when it came to showmanship and appeal. Hopefully, America will get it right this time.??Mikey Paladino, programmer

?I?m betting on Crystal Bowersox. She has real talent, has a good story (her kid being shown on TV while she was getting a tattoo dedicated to the cute baby, it?s a winner), and is the judges? favorite. Granted, being crowned the winner early on in the game didn?t work for Adam Lambert last season, but the backlash would be lesser for Crystal, since she?s still a safe choice for most Americans, unlike the polarizing Lambert. If it?s any indication, her pre-Idol gigs are gaining hits and positive comments on YouTube. A close second would either be Lee Dewyze or Casey James. It will come down to whomever the voters of the eliminated contestants choose to support.??Jaime Quinao, engineer

Finals

?I want Crystal Bowersox and Siobhan Magnus to face off in the finals. It?s been a while since we had a female-female showdown since Fantasia Barrino and Diana DeGarmo. Although they are the last two women standing, they?re the ones with the best vocal talents among the remaining contestants.

?Both are equally unique in their own ways: Siobhan is a rock belter (who wails like Adam Lambert), Crystal is a folk-bluesy artist (she has that Tracy Chapman/ Janis Joplin/ Carly Simon feel to her). Although I?m a big Siobhan fan, I know Crystal?s going to win it. She has been consistently coming up with memorable performances. Siobhan, on the other hand, has been receiving mixed reviews. ?We just don?t get her,? the AI judges always complain.??Katie de Jesus, entrepreneur

?My top two would be Crystal and Lee (DeWyze). The former is very original and has been consistently doing well. As for Lee, his style is the kind of music that I like ? a unique mix of rock and soul ? and, he?s really good!??Kristine Ray Alcantara, college student