Backstory Boosts

Personally, I'd be happier if we knew nothing whatsoever about the competitors' personal lives. I'd much rather see everyone earn their votes strictly based upon what they do on stage, but this is not the world we live in. I'm by no means suggesting that anyone on the show who has endured a hardship is "lucky" because it may earn them some sympathy- or empathy-based votes. But personal history undoubtedly plays a role in attracting support from viewers, so here's a quick rundown of the contestants I think have the most to gain based on their lives before Idol.

1. Danny Gokey - Imagine every song is for his late wife.
2. Scott MacIntyre - Classic "against-all-odds" story.
3. Lil Rounds - Home destroyed by tornado, young family displaced.
4. Jorge Nunez - Speech therapy to hide accent. It choked Paula up...
5. Michael Sarver - Dirty job, pretty voice.
6. Megan Joy - Young divorcee. Shouldn't matter, but it's something.

I don't see any of the other seven contestants having anything working in their favor, and really, the top three here are the only ones who's histories are likely to affect the outcome of the competition in any significant way.