allthingsidol24/7: Connect with the AI 10 Top 13 Through Social Networks, Plus: they sing “Songs By Their Favorite Artists”

AMERICAN IDOL: AMERICAN IDOL Finalists (Clockwise from Left) Scott McReery, Paul McDonald, James Durbin, Jacob Lusk, Karen Rodriguez, Casey Abrams, Naima Adedapo, Pia Toscano, Stefano Langone, Haley Reinhart, Thia Megia, Ashthon Jonesand Lauren Alaina arrive on the red carpet at the AMERICAN IDOL TOP 13 FINALIST PARTY on Thursday, March 3 at The Grove in Los Angeles, CA.

American Idol producers allowed Season 9 contestants to connect with their fans through social networks on a limited basis last season.

However, this year, however, the Top 13 have been assigned official twitter, facebook and MySpace accounts which it appears they’ll be able to use whenever they want.

Some of the Top 24 were tweeting throughout the competition via their personal accounts, which is an Idol first. Those who made the cut will have to use the official accounts during the rest of the competition.

Also, according to a FOX press release, the Top 13 will be performing “songs by their favorite artists” on Wednesday, which sounds like a pretty wide open theme to me. Unless, of course, they have to choose their songs from a list.

I’m interested to see how involved UMG mentor, Jimmy Iovine and his producers will be with helping the contestants chose their songs and stage their performances.

P. Diddy, who is set to perform on Thursday, told Access Hollywood that he is giving the Top 13 music and wardrobe tips. Nigel said earlier, no more guest mentors, so IDK.

Links to the contestant’s official social networking sites, if you are so inclinced, are after the jump.

Casey Abrams