American Idol's Top 16 became a Top 12 during Wednesday night's performance show of the reality singing competition's fourteenth season on Fox.
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American Idol host Ryan Seacrest announced the Top 12 artists one at a time and then each singer was asked to perform his or her original audition song.
Five guys and five girls were voted into the Top 12 automatically based on the home viewer votes cast following last week's shows. Idol judges Jennifer Lopez, Keith Urban and Harry Connick Jr. were then asked to choose two Wild Card picks to join them.
The five girls who were voted directly into the Top 12 are: Sarina-Joi Crowe, a 19-year-old musician from Columbia, TN; Tyanna Jones, a 16-year-old student from Jacksonville, FL; Maddie Walker, a 16-year-old student from Ankeny, IA; Joey Cook, a 23-year-old server from Woodbridge, VA; Jax, an 18-year-old musician from East Brunswick, NJ.
The five guys who automatically advanced are: Qaasim Middleton, an 18-year-old student from Brooklyn, NY; Daniel Seavey, a 15-year-old student from Portland, OR; Rayvon Owen, a 23-year-old singer and vocal coach from Richmond, VA; Clark Beckham, a 22-year-old street performer from Whitehouse, TN; and Nick Fradiani, a 29-year-old musician from Guilford, CT.
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The best performers of the night were Tyanna with "Wings," Jax with "I Want to Hold Your Hand," Qassim with "Sir Duke," and Clark with "It's a Man's, Man's, Man's World."
Tyanna was told by the judges she has phenomenal vocals and has an unbelievable comfort level onstage for a 16-year-old. Jax's performance was called compelling and made it clear why America voted her through. Qaasim had a contagious energy, according to the judges, and absolutely killed it. Lastly, Clark was told he had the vocal of the night and his performance was amazing.
The judges were then required to announce their Wild Card picks -- two out of the remaining six hopefuls.
Quentin Alexander, a 21-year-old retail associate from New Orleans, LA, was the first singer chosen for his great artistry. He sang "Royals" and touched the audience with his emotion.
The judges' second and final choice was Adanna Duru, an 18-year-old student from Diamond Bar, CA, because she's a powerhouse vocalist and always performed consistently. She sang "You and I," and while it was great, the judges suggested she needs to learn how to control herself onstage and channel all her energy into a musical place.
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At the end of the night, the following Top 16 singers were cut from the Idol competition: Adam Ezegelian, a 21-year-old toy designer from Wantagh, NY; Loren Lott, a 22-year-old actress from San Diego, CA; Alexis Gomez, a 22-year-old Spanish tutor from Dayton, OH; and Mark Andrew, a 29-year-old landscape foreman from Eden Prairie, MN.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski