Vered "Didi" Benami (born October 25th, 1986) was a contestant on Season 9 of American Idol.
Audition[]
Didi auditioned in Los Angeles. She sang "Hey Jude" by The Beatles. All four judges voted "yes", sending her to the next round.
Hollywood Round[]
Didi was shown in the same Group of Eight as Crystal Bowersox. She sang "Terrified" by Katharine McPhee. She did enough to advance along with Crystal. For her final solo performance, she sang "Angel" by Sarah MacLachlan in honor of her late friend. She was placed in a holding room with Shelby Dressel, Haeley Vaughn, Maddie Penrose, Jessica Furney, Angela Martin, Lee DeWyze, Lacey Brown, Aaron Kelly, Ashley Rodriguez, Joe Munoz, John Park, J.B. Ahfua and Janell Wheeler. It was revealed that everyone in the room had advanced. At the final deliberation, the judges told her that she made the Top 24.
Top 24[]
Didi sang "The Way I Am" by Ingrid Michaelson. She received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 20[]
Didi sang "Lean on Me" by Bill Withers. She received enough votes to be considered "safe" for that week.
Top 16[]
Didi sang "Rhiannon" by Fleetwood Mac. She received enough votes to become a Top 12 finalist.
Top 12[]
Didi sang "Play with Fire" by The Rolling Stones.
Performances[]
| Week # | Theme | Song choice | Original artist | Order # | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Audition | Auditioner's Choice | "Hey Jude" | The Beatles | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood | First Solo | "Terrified" | Katharine McPhee | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood | Group Performance | "No One" | Alicia Keys | N/A | Advanced |
| Hollywood | Second Solo | "Angel" | Sarah McLachlan | N/A | Advanced |
| Top 24 (12 Women) | Billboard Hot 100 Hits | "The Way I Am" | Ingrid Michaelson | 9 | Safe |
| Top 20 (10 Women) | "Lean on Me" | Bill Withers | 5 | Safe | |
| Top 16 (8 Women) | "Rhiannon" | Fleetwood Mac | 5 | Safe | |
| Top 12 | The Rolling Stones | "Play with Fire" | The Rolling Stones | 2 | Safe |
| Top 11 | Billboard #1 Hits | "You're No Good" | Betty Everett | 10 | Safe |
| Top 10 | Soul | "What Becomes of the Brokenhearted" | Jimmy Ruffin | 4 | Eliminated |
Trivia[]
- Didi originally auditioned in honor of her late friend Rebecca Joy Lear.
| Season 9 |
| Finalists |
| Lee DeWyze · Crystal Bowersox · Casey James · Michael Lynche · Aaron Kelly · Siobhan Magnus · Tim Urban · Katie Stevens · Andrew Garcia · Didi Benami · Paige Miles · Lacey Brown |
| Semifinalists |
| Lilly Scott · Alex Lambert · Todrick Hall · Katelyn Epperly · Haeley Vaughn · Michelle Delamor · Jermaine Sellers · John Park · Tyler Grady · Ashley Rodriguez · Joe Munoz · Janell Wheeler |