Rudy Cardenas

Tall, dark-haired Rudy Cardenas, 28, wowed at least two of the judges with his vocal stylings during his season 6 “American Idol” audition – with Simon Cowell the sole hold out. During the semifinals, Cardenas vowed one of his main goals was to change the prickly British judge’s mind. A North Hollywood, CA resident, Cardenas was born in Venezuela but grew up in Denver, CO and holds a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance from the University of Northern Colorado.