Feb. 05--"American Idol" judge Harry Connick Jr. gave Chicago singer-songwriter Manny Torres one of the top compliments of the Fox singing competition.
"I like that dude," he said about Torres, 20. "He looks like such a nice guy, like a guy you want to hang with, go see a ballgame with or something."
Judge Keith Urban praised Torres' attitude, and Torres advanced to the next round of competition. The pool of 51 singers was cut to 24 in Thursday's episode after the contestants performed in front of an audience.
"I made it to the top 24, and I mean, I can definitely see myself being the next 'American Idol' and I know that I'm ready to work and do whatever it takes to get there. So hey, I'm ready for it," said Torres, who is originally from Flushing, Mich.
While Torres secured the 15th spot, Geneva ice cream scooper Kayla Mickelsen and Mionne Destiny, of Chicago, were eliminated.
"I'm just, of course, a little sad. I don't want to even look at the disappointment. You know, I don't really want to go home just yet but I know this isn't the end," said Destiny, who lives in Atlanta.
The remaining contestants are slated to perform live next week. "Idol," which is in its 15th and final season, airs at 7 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
