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'American Idol' finalists savor living large

On with the showdown!

"I've made lifelong friends," says Justin (rockin' the house in L.A. with Nikki and Kelly right). "We're all winners."  


(PEOPLE) -- Sunup on L.A.'s Mulholland Drive and the only evidence Tamyra Gray ever dwelled here with the other "American Idol" finalists is a note she left behind, like some message from a reality-TV ghost.

Neatly printed in red marker on an erasable white board, it can be found in the kitchen of the 13-bedroom playhouse that serves as home to the finalists of the popular FOX talent competition. "Hello guys," it reads. "I am not good at goodbyes. . . . You are all so special, gifted and talented. Let this be your best week ever on this show. No need 4 stress or worries. Have fun. I so don't want any of you 2 be stressed this week."

It's very Tamyra, sweet and thoughtful. But no need 4 stress? Only an ex-finalist could come up with that mantra. Gray, to many ears the most accomplished pop stylist on "Idol," left the house August 22, less than 24 hours after millions of call-in voters unexpectedly gave the 23-year-old from Norcross, Georgia, the boot -- provoking howls of disbelief across an "Idol"-worshipping nation. (The audience for the show has grown steadily to more than 15 million.)

Fellow contestant RJ Helton, 21, endured the same ritual the previous week. "We have a couple hours to pack and leave by Thursday morning," he says. "I cried the entire time."

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What with their waking hours packed with song rehearsal, voice coaching, wardrobe selection, promotional appearances and daydreams of CDs flying out of stores -- the top prize is a recording contract -- no one at Idol Manor has time to mourn Tamyra this morning. By the time this article is out on PEOPLE.COM, in fact, there will be but two finalists, destined to face off in an hour-long pop-song duel September 3. The winner will be revealed the next night in a two-hour special.

Kelly Clarkson, 20, of Burleson, Texas, is hunting around for throat lozenges. By now her voice is so frayed she downs a capful of olive oil before singing. "I take it the hard way," she says. "It's very, very nasty."

Justin Guarini, already a pop idol to the girls who scream his name when he steps out of limos at events, needs to go accessory shopping. Thanks to a little water and moisturizer, his cloud of dark-blond curls has already sprung to full attention. "It's easy," says the 23-year-old from Doylestown, Pennsylvania. "It kind of does its own thing."

To read more on "American Idol" contestants go to:Nikki McKibbin | Their residence | Voting fraud? |


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