Shannon de Lima, Marc Anthony Pictures Set 1
Shannon de Lima Photo 1
Shannon de Lima Photo 2
Shannon de Lima Photo 3
Shannon de Lima Photo 4

But therein rests the confusion. During earlier weeks of this season, most viewers believes that Jessica Sanchez was the clear frontrunner to win the 2012 title. But in later weeks, Joshua has stunned news analysts. He’s garnered standing ovations, he has received unmatched praise, and he has avoided the bottom three altogether. So could the finals be Joshua and Jessica?

Shannon de Lima, Marc Anthony GF Pictures Set 3
Shannon de Lima Photo 9
Shannon de Lima Photo 10
Shannon de Lima Photo 11
Shannon de Lima Photo 12

Tonight, Idol told news that the Top 3 would sing three songs – one provided by Jimmy, one from the judges, and one they chose. In early results tonight from the first round (judges’ song), all three signers gave strong, but not sensational, performances.

First up in round one was Joshua tonight. He performed I’d Rather Go Blind, selected by Randy. But the judges gave it top marks and a standing ovation. But not all news analysts responded equally to the performance.

Shannon de Lima, Marc Anthony GF Pictures Set 4
Shannon de Lima Photo 13
Shannon de Lima Photo 14
Shannon de Lima Photo 15
Shannon de Lima Photo 16

Jessica Sanchez then performed “My All” selected by Jennifer Lopez. All the judges loved the performance. Randy told her it was “absolutely beautiful”. He also told news that Jessica’s performance was one of the best ever Mariah covers in Idol history. Steve also said Jessica deserves to be in the finals.

Shannon de Lima, Marc Anthony GF Pictures Set 1
Shannon de Lima Photo 1
Shannon de Lima Photo 2
Shannon de Lima Photo 3
Shannon de Lima Photo 4

Phillip Phillips got allocated Beggin’ by Madcon, selected by Steven. Jennifer loved it. Steven said that performance was great. And Randy told news that the delivery was amazing, making viewers think they were at a Phillips concerts.

At the end of the first round, Ryan Seacrest asked who was round’s winner. While the audience appears to shout for Phillip, Randy declares the Round One Idol winner as Joshua. But Jennifer said Steve both picked Phillip instead.

• Comments (2)

At issue, reportedly, is a major tour. E! is reporting that, because Lopez’s tour with Enrique Iglesias could span at least through all of 2013, and could make her hundreds of millions, her chances to return to the Idol telecast for a new season are highly unlikely. Added to the mix are her family and new movie offers.

Lopez however says she hasn’t made an determination yet. She told E! Monday “It is just like any working mom’s dilemma. It’s tough. It’s a balancing act. You put them first and then you have all these other things that you have to do, that you have to give your time to as well, and you have to make sure that they’re OK in the process.”

She also told Ellen DeGeneres recently that she loves doing the show but that it is locking up her time, as a mother and also professionally. “I don’t know. I enjoy it. I really do enjoy it. This is my second year. I don’t know if I can go for a third year. I miss doing other things. It really does lock you down.” Nigel Lythgoe tells news that he wants Lopez back but is unsure if she will return.

Yet, coming into tonight’s American Idol 2012 Top 3 elimination, most news analysts and fans thought Phillip Phillips and Hollie Cavanagh were most likely to end in the bottom two. Unlike other seasons, American Idol 2012 has eventually eliminated each and every singer who has landed at least twice in the bottom. Hollie Cavanagh has visited that spot numerous times. And yet, Hollie has shocked news, surviving each time. Did she do the same tonight?

Moreover, before tonight’s telecast, most news analysts still predicted the finals will feature Jessica Sanchez vs. Joshua Ledet. Yet, after Jessica was eliminated and saved earlier in this season, many have feared that Jessica could ultimately be eliminated even before the finals.

Shannon de Lima, Marc Anthony GF Pictures Set 3
Shannon de Lima Photo 9
Shannon de Lima Photo 10
Shannon de Lima Photo 11
Shannon de Lima Photo 12

This week, all the judges told news that singers were improving. But recently, Phillip Phillips had struggled.

Last month his delivery of U Got It Bad prompted Randy Jackson to remark that “We have a true artist on that stage.” Jennifer said that Phillip showed a range, calling him a “great singer who can sing any song.” Steve said the melody section was great.

Shannon de Lima, Marc Anthony GF Pictures Set 4
Shannon de Lima Photo 13
Shannon de Lima Photo 14
Shannon de Lima Photo 15
Shannon de Lima Photo 16

A week before that, many fans once thought that Phillip Phillips could reach the final three; yet some were worried that he could instead head to the bottom three. Some fans contended that Phillips’ performances are becoming predictable.

Shannon de Lima, Marc Anthony GF Pictures Set 1
Shannon de Lima Photo 1
Shannon de Lima Photo 2
Shannon de Lima Photo 3
Shannon de Lima Photo 4

Phillips’ delivery of Give a Little More prompted Randy Jackson to state “What was I most excited was when you started.” Jennifer Lopez was torn, telling news “It was underwhelming.” But Steven Tyler liked it.

Sent to the bottom two tonight were Phillips and Cavanagh. And in the end, eliminated from American Idol tonight was Hollie Cavanagh.

• Comments (0)