Casey Abrams' saving was not the deciding factor as to why American Idol's tour this summer will feature the season's Top 11 finalists instead of its usual 10 after all.
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While American Idol host Ryan Seacrest had suggested the judges' decision to use their one-time "The Judges' Save" to prevent Abrams' elimination on Thursday night's results show was the reason the tour will feature an extra finalist, the decision to take 11 finalists on the tour had already been determined, according to the show's 19 Entertainment production company.
"Regardless of the save, this Season 10 group has been so compelling, that it was already decided to put the Top 11 on the road," a 19 Entertainment spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter.
"It's the first time in American Idol history that more than 10 finalists will participate in the tour. This group is that strong."
Each performer in the tour, which will most likely run for more than 10 weeks, will reportedly take home about $300,000. However, the extra expense will have little impact on the tour's total budget.
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"The thinking is, 'It's a great season, why not pull out all the stops?'" a source told The Reporter.
Thursday's results show had featured Seacrest stating the decision to take 11 finalists on the tour was tied to the use of "The Judges' Save."
"The bad news here is two people will go home next week, but I want to make an announcement -- good news -- because we will not have a Top 10 on tour. It's been predetermined should something like this occur, all 11 will go out on tour," he said.
Although Abrams received the fewest home viewer votes following last Wednesday night's performance show, which featured the Top 11 finalists performing Motown classics, the 20-year-old Idyllwild, CA resident was allowed to remain in American Idol's tenth-season competition when the show's judges unanimously decided to save him during Thursday's live results show broadcast on Fox.
Abrams -- who was one of the 10 finalists voted into the season's Top 13 finalists by home viewers -- had showcased his talent by singing Marvin Gaye's "Heard It Through The Grapevine" to raving reviews from the judges during Wednesday's performance show.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski