A group picture of the American Idol contestants, 6 Mar 2008

This season's top-10 finalists on the hit U.S. television show "American Idol" are an internationally diverse group - many of the finalists were born outside the United States or have parents who emigrated to the U.S.

Carly Smithson is a native of Ireland, and Michael Johns moved to the United States from Australia.

Ramiele Malubay's family is from the Philippines.  She was born in Saudi Arabia, and she has said she wants to the first Asian-American idol.

Chikezie has spoken about his Nigerian heritage, and the Nigerian music he listened to while growing up.

In a taped interview broadcast on the show, Jason Castro said his family is from Colombia, and he reminisced about a summer he spent in the country with his cousins.

David Archuleta says he is half-Honduran.  He says he has visited his mother's side of the family and performed in that country. 

American Idol is a widely watched televised singing competition.  Each week, the television audience votes one contestant off the show.  The winner is crowned the "American Idol" and is awarded a recording contract.

Past "Idols" include Grammy-winning singers Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, and Reuters.