/American Idol Recap: Results – Top 12 Becomes Half-Full//

February 27, 2009 by TJ
Filed under American Idol

Three more contestants were chosen to enter American Idol’s top 12 by the American people last night. The final spots are now half filled as the three joined previously voted-in finalists Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace, and Michael Sarver.

The first to learn her fate was 16-year-old Allison Iraheta. She rocked the stage like nobody’s business Wednesday with her performance of Heart’s “Alone,” proving it’s not age but talent that makes the performer.

Ryan Seacrest left Kris Allen and Megan Corkrey together to find out their fates. All signs pointed to the single mom; she got glowing reviews from all of the judges despite a performance replete with pitch problems and horrendous dancing. Allen, on the other hand, split the judges with Paula and Simon backing the talented singer even though he chose the schmaltzy “Man in the Mirror” to perform. A genuinely shocked Allen was given the chance to prove he’s more than what he offered on Wednesday (and we’ve never been more happy to be wrong with our prediction that he’d go home).

And then it came down to theatre performer Adam Lambert and the ubiquitous Nick Mitchell. Adam delivered a manic performance of the Rolling Stone’s “Satisfaction” that Simon deemed would be either loved or hated by the public. Nick revived his obnoxious Norman Gentle character to plead for a top spot all over the stage in his performance of the Dreamgirls showstopper “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.”

Simon joked that he prayed for six hours straight for Mitchell’s elimination saying he had hoped he and God had a good relationship. The G-man was listening. Mitchell/Gentle was given his walking papers, and Lambert was allowed to rock again.

Group 3 will perform next Tuesday with three more spots to be filled on Wednesday’s results show. The final three spots will be made up of wild-card round winners.

Check out videos of the new top 12 finalists performing after their good news and group 2 performing Ne-Yo’s “Closer” on the other side.