OSU charmer Ensley is edged out of the final 24

Two Oklahoma residents — Alaina Whitaker and David Cook — will be among the final 24 “American Idol” contestants.

Whitaker, a student at Tulsa’s Metro Christian Academy, and Cook, a Tulsa music scene regular who has played in bands such as the Midwest Kings, were chosen to move on to the final part of the hit show’s competition — live performances where the winners are chosen by fans.

The top 24 contestants were revealed on Wednesday night’s episode after “Hollywood Week” in which a field of 164 contestants was narrowed to 50, then 24.

Several Oklahomans, including Colton Swon of Muskogee, Krista Branch of Bixby, Michael Preston of Oklahoma City and Kyle Ensley of Valliant, had gone to Hollywood but were eliminated.

Ensley, an Oklahoma State University junior who charmed the judges and said he hopes to one day be governor of Oklahoma, nearly made the final cut but was edged out by another singer.

Judge Simon Cowell strongly disagreed with the decision and voiced his displeasure with the other judges’ decision on Wednesday’s episode:

“I think you have something which people would have enjoyed, and I’m really disappointed,” Cowell told Ensley. Afterward, Ensley said, “It’s just been a wonderful experience that I’ll never forget.”

Cook has an independent solo album, “Analog Heart,” and auditioned in Omaha, Neb. Whitaker, who auditioned in Dallas, won the local talent competition “My Big Break” last year with her sister, Brittney Whitaker, a student at Oklahoma State University.

Cary Aspinwall 581-8477
cary.aspinwall@tulsaworld.com