Author: Shirley Halperin

Michael Becker / Fox

It was the shocker of season 12 — and not in the Ryan Seacrest way. When Angie Miller was eliminated on Thursday night, it came as a surprise to the American Idol judges, the studio audience, people on Twitter and viewers at home — not to mention Angie Miller herself.

“It’s bitter and sweet,” the 19-year-old Beverly, Mass. native told reporters after the top 3 show, which saw Candice Glover and Kree Harrison advance to the final round. “I definitely thought that with the whole hometown visit and how huge social media has been … I did feel kind of confident that I was going to make it.”

PHOTOS: ‘American Idol’ Season 12 Finalists’ Hometown Visits

Equally shocking: how Miller was able to maintain her composure following her elimination. Ever the pro at connecting with the cameras, she joyfully displayed her excitement for the two finalists in a slew of TV interviews — “They’re both incredible; it’ll be an amazing night,” she said repeatedly — then opened those big eyes even wider when speaking of her own hopes for the future.

“I’m really excited to start because I know that I want to make albums and be on TV shows and acting and singing more original songs and everything!” said Miller, adding that she’s especially amped to see what kind of offers come in.

STORY: Randy Jackson Exits ‘American Idol’

Miller said she has the judges to thank for giving her the boost. Asked what wisdom Randy Jackson, Nicki Minaj, Mariah Carey and Keith Urban left her with, Miller answered: “They all pretty much said, ‘Girl, this is not over. You’re so going to do incredible things.’ Coming from them, that means everything. … They brought me here.”

As for where she goes next, there’s the summer tour, for one, and the support in knowing that her original music may one day soon be recorded. “When I think of this whole experience and people ask me what’s the best moment, it’s when I was able to sing ‘You Set Me Free,’ my original song,” she said. “That song and that moment will carry me on and I can’t wait to record it.”

For now, Idol‘s second runner-up is looking forward to the simple pleasures of life: like not being critiqued by a table of stars. Said Miller: “It’s gonna be cool singing full songs this coming Thursday and on the tour and not being judged. That’s a good feeling.”

Twitter: @Idol_Worship

Michael Becker / Fox

No matter how you feel about season 12’s contestants, themes, song choices or judges, most viewers — and certainly those of us in the press corps — can agree on one thing: that American Idol guitarist is something else.

Taking the leads for Ray Chew’s band is Brady Cohan, a seasoned player who first picked up the guitar at age 12. Now 27, the native of Los Altos, Calif., up north in Silicon Valley, studied music at USC and graduated in 2007 with the aim of “becoming a better musician,” he tells The Hollywood Reporter. Being in a band wasn’t a top priority for the dashing musician. Rather, he saw himself more behind the scenes.

“My ultimate goal is to score films,” he says. “As much as I love touring and playing all around the world, it’s nice to stay in one place.”

Among the artists who Brady has traveled with: Natalie Cole, Cee-Lo Green, Keyshia Cole and Queen Latifah, until a friend told him about an opportunity to audition for American Idol.

PHOTOS: ‘American Idol’ Season 12: The Top 10 Finalists

What’s it like to try out for the singing competition as a member of the band? Not unlike the tens of thousands of hopefuls, Cohan says it felt like a “very unnatural kind of situation — all you can really do is play and be yourself, but it is a little nerve-wracking.”

He was handed the great American songbook, which included the song “Walk This Way” by Aerosmith, nailed it, and in season 11, became a regular player. This year, he’s gotten even more airtime, no doubt because of a growing mostly female fanbase. Not that he has much time to enjoy it. The band’s Idol schedule is nearly as grueling as the finalists and includes not only rehearsals, but studio sessions that can sometimes feel like “recording an album a night,” basically,” adds Cohan. “It’s crazy … and a sprint to the finish, that’s for sure.”

Since Cohan has performed with his share of seasoned artists, how do the Idol hopefuls compare? “They don’t sound like amateurs anymore,” he defends. “Angie [Miller] sang a great rendition of ‘Cry Me A River,’ Candice [Glover] and Amber [Holcomb] have that soul thing, but the stuff that rocks a little bit harder, that’s fun.”

Indeed, accompanying a bluesy singer like Kree Harrison is certainly in his wheelhouse, and in a way, both performers seem to boost each other.

VIDEO: ‘American Idol’ Season 12: Top 10 Finalist Red Carpet Interviews

Still, Cohan admits, even he gets nervous. “My guitar could go out of tune, I could forget a part … it’s a lot of pressure playing in front however many millions of people,” he says. “And it’s live so you can’t redo or mess it up.”

You can also end up making semi-embarrassing expressions which, Cohan admits, he’s struggling with. And he’s not alone: John Mayer, another stellar player, has the same problem with “constipation face” (our description, not his).

Cohan’s own personal idols: Paul Jackson, Jr., who had the lead guitar gig before heading over to The Tonight Show with ex-Idol music director Rickey Minor. “And the people who got me excited about music in the first place — Jimi Hendrix and B.B. King.”

The fact that Cohan, by virtue of his talent (and, let’s face it, his looks) has built his own fanbase is “a pleasantly nice surprise,” he says. “This show is not about us and coming into it, you’re well aware of that, so people taking notice is really nice. Of course, I miss playing my own music but I’m having a blast.”

Check out some of Brady Cohan’s original music on his official site and follow him on Twitter at @bradysgstring.

Twitter: @shirleyhalperin

Michael Becker / Fox

We never got to see Kree Harrison’s audition for season 12 of American Idol, but it didn’t take much convincing for viewers at home to recognize that she had the goods to make it all the way to the finish line.

Originally from Woodville, Texas, but more recently rooted in Nashville, the 22-year-old has confidence and talent in the bag, evident from the first time she appeared on screen during the Hollywood Week rounds. That’s when, singing the Dixie Chicks’ “Sin Wagon” in a group performance, we initially heard her bluesy vocal tone, balancing just the right amount of husk with the ability to belt out the higher ranges effortlessly.

PHOTOS: ‘American Idol’ Season 12: Top 10 Finalist Red Carpet Interviews

Her song choices point to a woman who knows her sound, be it a cover of Patti Griffin’s “Up to the Mountain” (handled equally well by season nine’s Crystal Bowersox), Grace Potter’s “Stars” or The Black Crowes’ “She Talks to Angels,” while her musicality goes much deeper, to Roy Orbison, Lena Horne and beyond.

Kree Harrison’s background also proves her resilience and strong heart. And surprisingly, her parents’ tragic deaths have not been given the usual sob story treatment. Maybe Idol producers are especially sensitive to true heartbreak that goes beyond, “I’m short” or “I have a stutter.” More likely it’s that she doesn’t need to play the sympathy card. Her talent speaks for itself.

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But perhaps the most compelling reason why Kree Harrison should win Idol: she’s the one girl of the top 5 finalists who you’d want to hang out with. Simply put: Kree is cool. It’s no wonder she’s friends with buzzing country newcomer Kacey Musgraves, and even former Idol finalist and current Dancing with the Stars contestant Kellie Pickler is part of her extended network. Who wouldn’t want to pal around Music City with these gals?

Coming into the top three, Kree Harrison is the underdog. She’s been in the bottom two once and it seems as if she hasn’t had the same attention foisted on her throughout the competition and now onto the hometowns. But as judge Nicki Minaj might say, let Kreedom ring — and sing.

Read more: Idol Worship blogger Michele Angermiller makes her case for Angie Miller here and THR staff editor Erin Carlson picks Candice Glover here.

Twitter: @Idol_Worship