by Todd Betzold

 

The guys and the girls have both performed and now it is time to finally announce the Top 13 finalists on Season 11 of American Idol.

 

Five guys and five girls will go straight through based on America's votes and then the rest will fight for one of the three wild card spots available from each judge. Two hours later and we will have a Top 13!

 

We get right to the America's Top 10 with the guys. Ryan calls up Chase Likens, Jeremy Rosado and Phillip Phillips. A look back at their journey so far and now time for some results. Jeremy and Chase are not in the Top 10, but Phillip is...we have our first guy.

 

Now time for the girls: Jessica Sanchez, Hollie Cavanagh, Brielle Von Hugel and Hallie Day. Brielle is not in the Top 10 and Hallie also, so back to the coach for them, Meanwhile, Jessica and Hollie are in the Top 10...I called it so far with my predictions.

 

Back to the guys: Adam Brock, Joshua Ledet and Heejun Han. More additions to the Top 10 as Joshua and Heejun move on and that means that Adam heads back to the coach to fight for a wild card spot later.

 

This time for the girls: Skylar Laine, Baylie Brown, Chelsea Sorrell and Shannon Magrane. After America's vote, Shannon and Skylar move into the Top 10. That means Baylie and Chelsea are back to the couches and fighting for a wild card later on...and I'm still on point with my predictions!

 

The guys again: Aaron Marcellus, Creighton Fraker and Reed Grimm. After the vote, America has not moved any of the three on....what? Reed must move on!!!

 

The girls again: Jen Hirsch, Elise Testone, Erika Van Pelt and Haley Johnsen. We only have one spot left for the girls, so three of these girls will be headed back to the couch to fight for a wild card...Elise gets the final spot for the girls in the Top 10, so Haley, Erika and Jen are headed back to the couch.

 

The last of the guys: DeAndre Brackensick, Eben Franckewitz, Colton Dixon and Jermaine Jones. There are two spots left for the guys in the Top 10...those two spots go to Colton and Jermaine. So, DeAndre and Eben head back to the couches. Just an FYI, but my Top 13 choices are all correct right now!

 

Now time for the judges' wild cards (and the tears): they will choose six of the remaining 15 to sing one more time to fight for those three wild card spots available. My picks: Brielle, Hallie, Reed, Erika, DeAndre and Creighton.

 

Their first pick is Jen Hirsch. She was one of my favorites from the beginning, but she lost me last night. She did very well, but I don't know. Steven said it started and he was like oh, here we go, but then she took off.

 

Next pick: Jeremy Rosado...the judges are not going with my choices right now. A very emotional performance and you kind of want him to move on. We've heard he is one of the nicest guys in the competition and cheers everyone on and that makes me smile. Randy said he loves what he just did...real good.

 

Next up: Brielle Von Hugel. She takes on "Someone Like You" by Adele, which is a bad choice to begin with and then does a decent karaoke performance. She won me over last night, but she just lost me right there. Randy says I think after that, I think Brielle might be in trouble.

 

Next: DeAndre Brackensick...this is a guy I just can't get on board with. The judges love him, the audience loves him, but obviously America doesn't as he is still fighting to stay in here and I think the judges should listen.

 

Next: Erika Van Pelt...she has a very powerful voice and shows it while singing "Edge Of Glory" by Lady Gaga. I loved it and I think she sang her way into the Top 13. Steven said we are living on the edge Erika...out of the park.

 

Last pick (and it better be Reed): Reed Grimm...he lost me right there. I wasn't feeling that song at all, but I love him still. Steven said beautiful artist...you did great.

 

Before we get to their decision, the road has ended tonight already for Chase Likens, Hallie Day, Adam Brock, Baylie Brown, Chelsea Sorrell, Aaron Marcellus, Eben Franckewitz Creighton Fraker and Haley Johnsen. Hallie is the only one I thought would be moving on.

 

Of the remaining six, three will join the Top 13 and three will be sent home. Randy's wild card pick: Erika Van Pelt (duh...she rocked it tonight). Jennifer's wild card pick: Jeremy Rosado (she said she loved him). Steven's wild card pick: DeAndre Brackensick (not a fan and especially since he took Reed's spot)! And it's the end of the road for Jen Hirsch, Reed Grimm and Brielle Von Hugel.

 

American Idol airs on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8/7c on FOX.

 

(Image courtesy of FOX)

 

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