American Idol's Top Four were cut down to three on a night that host Ryan Seacrest ominously said is the "cruelest cut of all."
On the line was what Alex Preston described as "the dream," the opportunity to go home and experience the love and a " heroes' welcome" from supporters in their home states. Parades, stadiums, school visits and your own mini-concert in front of adoring fans is the stuff of Idol legend -- and the season 13 contestants were more than ready for it.
But there is a downside. Preston summed it up best during the Idol last supper when he said, "one of us won't get to go home and see how our hometowns are supporting us."
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But before Seacrest revealed the results (and after judge Harry Connick Jr. tossed the tasty New Orleans treat of beignets into the crowd), mentor Randy Jackson was once again on hand to give his thoughts on the previous night's performances of makeup, dedications and breakup songs, which Caleb Johnson described as a night of spectacle, complete with pyrotechnics, lasers and Chinese lanterns.
As for teen Jena Irene's trio of performances, Jackson said she was "on fire" and her interpretation of Elvis Presley's "I Can't Help Falling in Love With You" was "one of the greatest performances in Idol history." Johnson, he said "had an amazing night" and "is really coming into his own." As for Jess Meuse, Jackson felt she had "very mixed results" but "then at the end, she nailed something great for her" when she busted out Lady Gaga's "You and I." He concluded that Preston "had a good night" and his final song, Coldplay's "Yellow," was "the money."
After the nationwide vote, Seacrest revealed that Meuse would be the one going home, but not for the hometown visit.
Meuse, fighting back tears, went out on a high note and turned in a fantastic performance of her original song, "Blue Eyed Lie," which got all three judges -- including the normally glued-to-his-seat Connick -- on their feet.
Next week, season 10 winner Scotty McCreery will perform on the show's one-hour results show.
So what do you think Idol Worshippers? Are you sad that Jess went home? And do you think she'll get to perform her originals on tour like previous Idol competitors Colton Dixon and Angie Miller? Hit us up in the comments!
Twitter: @MicheleAmabile, @Idol_Worship
