Any of these paths can end in pop success, but the most plainly relevant contestant this season is Andrew Garcia, a YouTube-era star in the making, one of thousands of people who for the last few years have in essence been playing “American Idol: The Home Game,” posting clips of their cover-song performances to the Internet in hopes they’d get noticed. In those clips, which still pepper YouTube, he’s a clear adept, able to breezily disassemble and reformat popular songs for his limited vocal range — a recipe for modern “Idol” success. His version of Paula Abdul’s hit “Straight Up” during Hollywood week has been this season’s most memorable and thoughtful performance by far.

“Idol” might make Mr. Garcia a star, but he’s done most of the heavy lifting already, a seasoned competitor on a show that prizes inventive revisions of pop standards. Mr. Garcia may not have a record deal, but in this regard, he’s no amateur.

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