FACTBOX-Final six "American Idol" contestants

May 20 (Reuters) - Baby-faced David Archuleta, 17, and alternative rocker David Cook, 25, will compete in this week's season finale of U.S. television's "American Idol."

Throughout the seventh season, guitar-playing Cook and balladeer Archuleta have been favorites among the show's judges and fans.

Following are some facts about the final six contestants on the popular talent show.

* David Archuleta, 17, is one of the youngest contestants to reach the "American Idol" finals. His good looks, pitch-perfect vocals and piano playing have won him a huge fan base among young girls. He is often referred to as "The Chosen One," while fans call themselves "Arch Angels." A Mormon with four siblings, Archuleta lives in Utah and says he began singing at age 6, inspired by a video from the musical "Les Miserables." At age 12, he won the junior section of the U.S. TV talent show "Star Search." His rendering of John Lennon's "Imagine" in February is considered to be his best "Idol" performance.

* David Cook, 25, is a Missouri guitarist with a background in musical theater and who formed his own band, Axium, in high school. Working as a bartender while trying to launch his music career, he did not originally plan to try out for "American Idol," but went to auditions to support his brother. Once considered a long shot, Cook has won fans for alternative versions of pop classics, such as Michael Jackson's "Billie Jean."

* Syesha Mercado, 21, was the only woman to reach the final three. She was voted off last week after repeatedly dodging elimination and now hopes for a career in musical theater and movies.

* Jason Castro, 21, a mellow, acoustic guitar player with dreadlocks, was voted off on May 7 after bungling the lyrics to Bob Dylan's classic "Mr. Tambourine Man." Castro said he was relieved to leave the high-pressure show.

* Brooke White, 24, an emotional blonde who works as a nanny and plays guitar and piano, was eliminated on April 30 after her performance of two Neil Diamond tunes.

* Carly Smithson, 24, an Irish singer and early favorite with the judges, was voted off on April 23. Smithson had one of the best voices on the show but proved controversial because of her prominent tattoos and the fact that she had had a major recording contract in 2001 which flopped.