Eight 'Idol' contestants await their fate

Voting is under way to send the last three contestants into the top 10 of NZ Idol.

The final eight last night fired off a mixed round of performances.

Alana Plews went 80s punk and despite the outfit - which drew criticism from judge Paul Ellis - impressed the judges.

Fiona McDonald liked her dynamic vocal range and personality. "I can see you making videos, I can see you doing interviews."

Bald-headed Frankie Stevens was so sure of Robin Johnson he declared: "If you're not in the top 10 I'll shave the rest of my body."

Amanda Boyce's Celine Dion number did not go down well with the judging panel. "I'm not sure you're up for the rest of the competition," said Ellis.

Host Dominic Bowden was sympathetic afterwards. "What do they know?" he asked her, a reminder the choice is up to viewers, not judges.

Sela Mahe, who said she was more used to singing in hospitals, prisons and resthomes, had "the whole package going on", said Ellis.

He and Stevens liked gas station worker Eddie Gaiger's Drift Away.

Voting results announced on TV2 tonight will show who will join Camillia Temple, Filipo Saipana, Ben Lummis, Dave Houma, Luke Whaanga and Michael Murphy.

A wildcard picked by the judges from the 15 entrants eliminated by voting will complete the final group.