MorphWorld: Carly Smithson into Leelee Sobieski

Ms. Smithson's one of the 24 contestants still standing on this season's "American Idol."

When I saw her photo (above) on the front page of today's USA Today my first thought was, uh oh, Leelee Sobieski (below)

has gone and signed up for another weird movie like "My First Mister", where she has to dye her hair black.

But then I learned that the photo was of Ms. Smithson, a 24-year-old Irishwoman who back in 1999, at the age of 15, when she was known by her maiden name of Hennessy, was signed to a recording contract by MCA and released a pop album (below)

called "Ultimate High."

Marco R. della Cava's story in USA Today examined the question of whether "Idol" hopefuls with a past like Ms. Smithson should even be allowed to participate in what, after all, is a show about discovery, not revival.

If Ms. Smithson doesn't win the big one, she shouldn't be too crushed — after all, life as Ms. Sobieski's double won't be all that harsh.

FunFact: They're both 24.