Lauren Alaina Suddeth

"American Idol" viewers want to hear more from Lauren Alaina Suddeth and Paul McDonald.

Both "AI" contestants with local ties advanced to the Round of 11 finalists during Thursday night's episode on Fox network. Host Ryan Seacrest noted that both singers had been battling the flu this week, but still gave performances that drew praise from the judges. Relatives of Suddeth told the Times Free Press that she was given IV treatment for dehydration Wednesday until shortly before showtime.

Suddeth is the daughter of J.J. and Kristy Suddeth of Rossville. McDonald is the son of Susan McDonald, an instructor at UTC. Both mothers were in the audience Thursday night as their children received the good news they had advanced.