LOS ANGELES — "American Idol" is down to the top 13 singers.
Smooth
21-year-old pawn shop worker Phillip Phillips of Leesburg, Ga., quirky
22-year-old nonprofit organizer Heejun Han of New York, and spunky
18-year-old country crooner Skylar Laine, from Brandon, Miss., were
among the finalists revealed Thursday on the Fox singing contest. They
and seven others received the most viewer votes after the 13 male
semifinalists performed Tuesday and the 12 female semifinalists sang
Wednesday.
The other viewer-selected finalists included soothing
18-year-old vocalist Hollie Cavanaugh, of McKinney, Texas; 20-year-old
alt-rock musician Colton Dixon, of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; 25-year-old
"gentle giant" Jermaine Jones, of Pine Hill, N.J.; booming 19-year-old
student Joshua Ledet, of Westlake, La.; soaring 16-year-old vocalist
Shannon Magrane, of Tampa, Fla.; 16-year-old Jessica Sanchez, of San
Diego; and soulful 28-year-old teacher Elise Testone, of Charleston,
S.C.
"America, you're on fire, because this is an amazing top 10 brewing," said judge Randy Jackson. Once
the fan favorites were all revealed, the show's panel picked five
remaining semifinalists to deliver a last-chance tune in hopes of
becoming one of the judges' "wild card" selections. The judges
ultimately chose 17-year-old student Deandre Brackensick, of San Jose,
Calif.; 19-year-old receptionist Jeremy Rosado, of Valrico, Fla.; and
26-year-old disc jockey Erika Van Pelt, of South Kingstown, R.I., to be
among the top 13.
"I love somebody who can fight through the tears and still deliver," judge Jennifer Lopez told a weepy Van Pelt. The
finalists will return to the stage to sing next Wednesday for the first
round of season 11's finals. "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest announced
Thursday that the male singers would perform Stevie Wonder songs, while
the female contestants would pay tribute to the late Whitney Houston,
who died last month.