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Ace Young, 25, Los Angeles, California

Ace is the place!! There are certainly going to be comparisons with Constantine here, and for good reason. Ace is this year’s hottie, and the girls (and some guys) are going to go whacko for him. He seems a little less pretentious than Con (please don’t write me about this comment), though. I know he will advance. How can he not? But like Heather and Becky, this competition ultimately comes down to more than just being pretty. Viewers are discriminating, and good looks only get you just so far. The list of the pretty people who have fallen flat starts with Kimberly Caldwell and gets longer every year. You’d better bring it, Ace!

Here, then, is my list of those I am certain will make the top 12: Chris, Taylor, Ace, Sway, Mandisa, Paris, Kellie, and Katharine. But, Donna, that’s only eight, you smartly note! I am torn between David, Patrick, and Bucky for the guys, and Lisa, Ayla, and Melissa for the girls. I think David and Melissa will make it, but that final spot is up for grabs. For the guys, I would rather see both Bucky and Patrick make it rather than David, but have learned to be realistic. With David in, I am leaning towards Patrick at this point. But I want Bucky because I think he’d be more fun to watch.

As for Lisa and Ayla, I really am conflicted. I think they will both make it to the top 16. Ayla could edge out Lisa due to vote-splitting between Lisa and Paris. But if viewers are turned off by Ayla's self-confidence and New England airs, Lisa will take the spot. I keep flipping back and forth on this one, and know that if I start to second-guess myself, I am apt to go back and completely rethink this whole list. I don’t want to be wrong! So, to save myself further anxiety, I am going to hit “save” right now and send this off to my editor! Then again…