January 21, 2011, 9:30 am

American Idol’s Rumored Top 40, Plus a D/Q Already? Spoilers

After weeks of auditions that sent a rumored record number of 325 hopefuls to Hollywood, producers and the judge’s worked to knock down that number to 60. In a new addition to this season, these 60 contestants went out to Vegas with the Idol crew for a never-before-had “Sing For Your Life” round. During this round, the contestants sang Beatles hits with the new Cirque du Soleil LOVE show at the Mirage. From here, it is rumored that the cast had been cut down to 40 contestants and sent back to Hollywood. After another rumored round, NO contestant was cut and Idol is stuck with a Top 40. At this point, it is unclear what will happen with this top 40. Speculation is that in mid-February, another round of auditions will cut the group of 40 to 20, from which America will choose the final batch of contestants for the main stage. This could happen just DAYS before America gets a peek at the Top 20 in order to keep it as confidential as possible.

Of course, with any show like this, rumors begin to swirl the internet as to who has been cut and who has made it to the top. Idol fan blog Joe’s Place has carefully complied a Top 40 list that may actually be spot on. You’ve been warned, the following may be spoilers to the 10th season of American Idol, so if you want to be surprised, don’t read on. They’ve also made a nifty graphic to keep tabs on the 40 contestants as we journey through the city auditions. Before we get to the Top 40, we have rumor of the first Disqualified/Quit contestant of the season. It appears that Rachel Zevita, seen in the New Jersey auditions, has quit in the Top 40 round. It seems as if Rachel had a scholarship to a music school that naturally conflicted with her Idol contract. Once she had to make a decision to go to school or continue Idol, she chose to drop out of the competition, making her visibly upset to a number of onlookers. Rachel apparently walked away on her own. Check out her audition video below. Be sure to discuss what you think with us in our FORUMS!