As the Idol clock ticks toward the end of the road for the contestants, the stakes grow higher with each passing week. Paula Abdul, though, already has her sights set on the final moments.

"I'll tell you who I think is going to be the Top 4," said Abdul during Tuesday's broadcast of Fox's Morning Show with Mike and Juliet before proceeding to name five finalists. "Carly Smithson, David Cook, David Archuleta, Michael Johns and Brooke White."

Abdul and home viewers are also apparently in sync when it comes to the seventh-season's standout performers, as Smithson is the only finalist Abdul named who has been among the bottom three vote getters since the Top 12 were selected.

In addition, Abdul said she also sympathizes with all of the Idol finalists because she's experienced firsthand what it's like to be in their position.

"I know what it's like to want so bad to be able to hit that center spot and be in my zone and create magic," she explained during the interview. "Sometimes it doesn't happen, and then you're forced with rising above adversity and getting out there again. I'm the queen of having to rise above adversity."

Abdul's interview, which will air April 1, not only sheds some light on what she's really thinking about the Idol hopefuls, but also reveals how she approaches her criticism and comments after each performance. "I try to give them something they can hold onto," she explains. "I try toleave them with grace and dignity... and back it up with constructive criticism."