This is the way that I see it..
Justin certainly appeals to the core audience of this show: Teeny bopper girls. The sort of fans that don't care much about if the person can sing or not. It's tough doing what Justin is doing because he may have the little girls after him, but he will never get respect from any guys for singing and acting the way he does. He's just another boy band wanna be. He will probably end up making the final 2 though because of the young female vote.
Nikki is cute, but she's nothing more than a lounge singer in my opinion. I hated her rendition of Melissa Etherages song last night. Melissa isn't horribly cutting edge, but she is a song writer and can play the guitar, so she is a musician. All Niki is doing is impersonating someone whose strengths aren't necessarily her singing. Melissa Etherage is a vocalist and not really a singer. Nikki's presentation is all too syrupy as well. Sort of like when Cher adopted the grunge style or when Tori Spelling tried to look like Drew Barrymore. Pressed jeans with holes in them just doesn't cut it IMO.
Tamyra is very pretty and she's very good. She just doesn't do it for me though. She sounds like a million other female singers. I really don't like when a singer does those ungelations with their voice either. You know.. The type of stylized singing that Mariah Carry and Whitney Houston do. The same style that most any new pop star has copied, especially Christina Agulara. It's just annoying to me. She's good though for what she does and she might make it if she wins or not depending on if she can get with the right people (manager, producer, etc..).
Kelly is my favorite for sure. She's got a hell of a voice and even though I don't like this style of singing, she gives me goose bumps when I listen to her. She's cute, but not a knockout. I think her personality shows through though and makes up for it. If Kelly doesn't win, somethings screwy.
That being said, I think the final 2 will be Justin and Kelly. Justin for the teenie bopper vote and Kelly because of her talent. Who knows who will win it though.
Sal