Tonight was the night we’d all been waiting for; the night the judges finally narrowed it down to twenty-four contestants vying to become the next “American Idol.” With just seventy-one contestants remaining, choosing the final twenty-four was not easy. Each of the remaining contestants performed one last number with a band behind them, but for the first time they had no feedback from the judges.
The contestants were split into three groups and separated into to different rooms after the judges spent hours deliberating. With hours passing, and no word on their fate, nerves were frazzled, and even the most confident contestants began to doubt themselves. They were separated from contestants they’d formed bonds and friendships with, left to stew in their own worries. Would they be chosen?
While we didn’t get to see all seventy-one contestants perform, many of the best were given another moment in the spotlight, and even a few of the divalicious had a chance to throw the band under the bus. Some sounded fantastic, and the nervousness sounded in every note others sang, but no matter how well they performed, everyone was filled with fear and doubt. Those who struggled with their lyrics prior to the final audition, and during that one last chance, were angst-ridden about their fate, despite doing everything in their power to recover from their mistakes. Some suffered strain on their voices, realizing during the intensity of the competition just how important it was to take care of their bodies and their voices.
Room one was the first group of contestants to learn their fate. Ellen set them up with a speech about star presence and performance, and then announced that they were the group going on! Contestants waiting in rooms two and three could hear the celebrations from room one, which put many of them in doubt about whether they would go on or not. They let room two down first, and every contestant in the room broke into tears. Room three was held on the verge of sorrow, as the judges started to let them down easy, then announced in a shocking revelation: room three was also going on!
Forty-six contestants remained, and one by one, each singer walked in and faced the judges individually. This momentary reprieve should have felt like a blessing, but instead many felt as though they were waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Big Mike Lynche was the first contestant to face the judges. He was also the very first of the twenty-four finalists to be chosen, despite the judges feeling he lacked the belief in himself early on to get as far as he did.
Didi Benami followed Big Mike. Simon noted that she had faced some inconsistencies throughout the week, but when she was good, she was phenomenal. She was the first of the twelve female finalists chosen.
Katelyn Epperly was the second female chosen, after Ellen teased her with a long string of jokes about how cruel it was to make her wait.
Casey James was one of Kara’s favorites all throughout auditions, and as the judges tossed around a few humorous digs about Casey coming from a town called “Cool,” they also thought it was cool he was going on to the next round.
Aaron Kelly had some difficulty with the lyrics during his final performance, but the sixteen-year-old Sonestown, PA, high school student was the third male contestant to get the good news.
Lee DeWyze struggled with his confidence, according to the judges, but he wholeheartedly disagreed. The judges didn’t agree about sending him through until the last minute, but he became the fourth out of the twelve chosen male contestants.
Todrick Hall became male contestant number five.
Headstrong Jessica Furney argued with the judges when they told her no. Begging them to give her a chance, but because it would mean cutting one of the already chosen twelve they just couldn’t. She humiliated herself in front of the judges, but they tried to comfort her despite her outburst. There was no changing their minds, and she continued to argue her case as she left the Kodak Theatre.
Only seven of the twenty-four were announced, with the final seventeen to be revealed tomorrow night.
Photo via Eonline
