This week on “American Idol” the top eight girls and guys performed for audiences in a bid to gain a spot the coveted top 12. The topic for this week’s pre-performance videos: little known facts about the Idol contestants.

Paris Bennett, the 17 year old from Fayetteville, revealed to audiences that she is a bit of a tomboy having grown up with brothers and male cousins. She likes football and wrestling, and fans shouldn’t think of her as just a girly girl.

Bennett kicked the girls’ night off with a rendition of Gloria Estefan's “Conga.” While Bennett and the audience seemed to get into the song the judges weren’t as thrilled about her performance.

Randy Jackson said, "I'm always curious to see what you're going to sing, and I was actually surprised you did that tonight. It wasn't, once again, my favorite choice. But you know, you could sing anything. I just want you to challenge yourself because you've got this unbelievable talent, and every week I just want to see it come out. So maybe next week you'll do a ballad and show some other kind of stuff, but it was alright."

Paula Abdul, the unfailing cheerleader of the group, added to Jackson’s critique, "I prefer you doing up-tempo, I really do, but it is a very difficult song to sing. I guess I was surprised by the choices you made melodically, but they captured my attention. Paris you're a very talented girl, there's no doubt about it. It's a difficult song to sing though."

Simon Cowell, the judge contestants often strive the most to please, told Bennett exactly what he thought of her performance, "Look, last week we said to you, and I think you did do the right thing, which is to do a younger song and I'm glad you did that. To be honest with you, it's your enthusiasm, your age, just the fact that you're a great entertainer is going to get you through. I think you're feeling the nerves because this is an important week. Vocally it was o.k., but people love you, so we'll see you next week."

Bennett took her post-performance review with a smile.

The top eight guys performed Wednesday night. Two more girls and two more guys will perform for the last time on the American Idol stage tonight. Tonight’s results show will reveal the top 12 contestants.

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