'American Idol': Get to Know the Top 6

Last Thursday (April 12) inside dressing room 36E at CBS Television City in Los Angeles, the top 14 finalists on the latest season of American Idol continued a tradition that began years ago: one by one, each contestant sat down with Billboard for their first major interview since reaching this elite level. They talked about their earliest musical memories, their musical influences, when they first watched Idol and which alumni from the series were their personal favorites (Chris Daughtry earned the most votes from the first seven of the top 14).

On Monday (April 16) evening's broadcast, the second half of the top 14 will be revealed. Their stories will be told on Billboard in a few hours. But first meet the seven finalists announced last Monday.

1. Gabby Barrett

Born: March 5, 2000 – Pittsburgh, Penn.

Favorite Alumni: Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson, Chris Daughtry, Adam Lambert, Phillip Phillips

Formative Listening: Whitney Houston, Etta James, Patti LaBelle, Aretha Franklin, Carrie Underwood, Guns N’ Roses, KISS, Eagles

First Idol Experience: Started watching Season 4

2. Jonny Brenns

Born: March 22, 1999 – Guadalajara, Mexico

Favorite Alum: Carrie Underwood

Formative Listening: Frank Sinatra, Khalid, Shawn Mendes

First Idol Experience: He watched clips on YouTube

3. Cade Foehner

Born: July 24, 1996 – Nacogdoches, Texas

Favorite Alumni: Chris Daughtry, Taylor Hicks

Formative Listening: Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings

First Idol Experience: As a little boy, watched every season

4. Dennis Lorenzo

Born: April 4, 1991 – Philadelphia

Favorite Alumni: Chris Daughtry, Fantasia, Justin Guarini, Adam Lambert

Formative Listening: Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Boyz II Men, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC, a-ha, Pink Floyd, Toto, Yes

First Idol Experience: Started watching Season 1

5. Michelle Sussett

Born: Aug. 2, 1995 – Caracas, Venezuela

Favorite Alumni: Jessica Sanchez, Haley Reinhart, Angie Miller, Carrie Underwood, Phillip Phillips, Chris Daughtry

Formative Listening: Christina Aguilera, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Hilary Duff, Belinda (Peregrín), Ha*Ash

First Idol Experience: Her mom showed her a Kelly Clarkson performance of “Since U Been Gone” on MTV

6. Michael J. Woodard

Born: Oct. 6, 1997 – Philadelphia

Favorite Alumni: Fantasia, La’Porsha Renae, Adam Lambert

Formative Listening: Michael Jackson, Diana Ross, Whitney Houston, Tina Turner, James Brown, Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, Justin Bieber

First Idol Experience: Watching Season 3 with his grandmother and being impressed with Fantasia’s performance of “Summertime”