By Brandon Eastman Posted March 15, 2012
Season 11 of “American Idol” has kicked off and auditions are over with. Hollywood Week is done, and the Top 13 singers have been chosen by America and we are off. This week marked the beginning of their live, on-stage performances in which America got to decide their fates.
With judges Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez, and Steven Tyler back from last year, contestants knew what they were getting themselves into. J-Lo’s constant appreciation for good singing, rock legend Tyler’s singing along to songs, and Jackson’s tell-it-like-it-is attitude.
There were heartbreaking departures for some contestants who thought they were a sure thing and many emotions shared over the course of the last few weeks, but for 13 singers, their dream is still alive. The final contestants are DeAndre Brackensick, Hollie Cavanaugh, Colton Dixon, Heejun Han, Jermaine Jones, Skylar Laine, Joshua Ledet, Shannon Magrane, Aaron Marcellus, Phil Phillips, Jeremy Rosado, Jessica Sanchez, Elise Testone, and Erika Van Pelt.
Jackson said, “America, you’re on fire because this is an amazing Top 10 brewing.”
American Idol airs on FOX on Wednesday with the live performances and Thursday with the results at 8 p.m.
