The American Idol 2014 Top 9 finalists come from a wide range of backgrounds and each has their own distinctive favorite musical influences. In this week’s American Idol finalist diaries, the Top 9 share about their favorite musical artists when they were growing up.
![American Idol 2014's Top 9 contestants](https://americanidolnet.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/american-idol-2014-top-9-00-480x300.jpg)
Our current favorite to win, Alex Preston, listened to “rock n’ roll, grunge stuff.” He says he was really into “Led Zeppelin, Alice in Chains, I was really into Jeff Buckley too. I’m still into Jeff Buckley, he’s a huge inspiration to me.”
On the other hand, our readers’ favorite girl from last week, Malaya Watson, says she was more into “Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, Stevie [Wonder], Jackson 5… a lot of Motown, a lot of old school songs.”
Who were the big musical influences for your American Idol season 13 finalist? Watch the Top 9 finalist diaries below and find out who inspired them to be stars!
Alex Preston: Top 9 Finalist Diaries
C.J. Harris: Top 9 Finalist Diaries
Dexter Roberts: Top 9 Finalist Diaries
Jessica Meuse: Top 9 Finalist Diaries
Majesty Rose: Top 9 Finalist Diaries
Jena Irene Ascuitto: Top 9 Finalist Diaries
Malaya Watson: Top 9 Finalist Diaries
Sam Woolf: Top 9 Finalist Diaries