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When it came to later songs, the two singers didn’t hold back. Jessica Sanchez earned good, but not great, remarks from the judges on Change Nothing. Randy told news “I did not love the song, but you made something out of the song.” Jennifer loved it, calling it a worthy “pop ballad”. And Steve said he enjoyed it.

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In recent weeks, Randy has told news that, he believes, Phillip will be picked as the winner by viewers this season. Phillip Phillips was perfect on his performance of Home tonight. Randy told news “Everything about that was perfect.” Jennifer agreed, while Steve said “You have made the world your home.”

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For fans, Jessica and Phillip have changed dramatically in the last ten weeks. Back in March, for Idol Top 9, Jessica was leading predictions. Jessica Sanchez delivered sweet notes with Sweet Dreams. Randy Jackson was blown away, telling news at the time “I say it all the time, but stars are truly born.” Steven Tyler agreed, stating “You really know your notes.”

That same month, many fans told news that Sanchez’s performance of a Jazmine Sullivan hit inspired them. Of Jessica, they wrote “She got me wanting to listen to Jazmine Sullivan now.” News analysts contended that Sanchez silenced her critics that week with not just the best performance of the night but also certainly the best performance of the month. But the performance ended with Jessica being eliminated, only to be saved by the judges.

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A week earlier, Phillip Phillips performed tonight’s hit, Moving Out. At the time, all three judges told news that Phillip would be moving on to the finals as well. Jennifer said then “It was a perfect rendition of that song.”

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Phillip Phillips’ Disease, however, got negative reviews from the judges. Randy remarked “I didn’t like it either.” Jennifer said it “was an easy … performance from you. It was good.” And Steven wasn’t impressed. “It wasn’t over the top.” But did viewers agree?

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Joshua Ledet earned top praise from news analyst for his rendition of Imagine. Randy said it was masterful. Jennifer said “It was almost like you were preaching while you are singing.” And Steve said it was “another thank you god moment.”

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But earlier in the night, Phillip was dominating the judges’ praise. Phillips was unstoppable on Beggin. All three judges loved it. Randy told news that it was like “we were just at a Phil Phillips concert right there.” Jennifer said “you ride that all the way home.” And Steve used his favorite word, “beautiful”, yet again.

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Many of the judges loved Jessica Sanchez perform You Are So Beautiful. But after a shocking elimination and save earlier in this season, Jessica’s fate seemed uncertain. Some news analysts are still unsure if voters will advance her to the American Idol 2012 finals.

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Randy Jackson said “This girl is on top of the leaderboard.” Jennifer Lopez said she “captivated the whole audience.” And Steven Tyler said that she is going to be female singer to beat this season.

Skylar Laine, however, delivered an impressive performance last night. But was her rendition of You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me strong enough to advance her tonight? Randy Jackson told news he loved it. Jennifer said Laine “might” win this season. And Steven gave marginal praise as well.

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A trio of Jessica Sanchez, Hollie Cavanagh, and Skylar Laine got top marks for their performance of Your Love Keeps Lifting Me Higher and Higher. Randy said it was a “very nice job.” Jennifer said it was “cute”. And Steve said they “sang the h–ll out of it.”

Also problematic for tonight’s elimination was Hollie Cavanagh. She was impressive but not exceptional on Bleeding Love, so claimed the judges last night. Randy said it was “unbelievable”. But Jennifer called it “beautiful”. Steven however told news “I loved it. You nailed it.”

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Is the person to beat this season Jessica Sanchez or Joshua Ledet? Last night, the answer was Joshua. He was also strong with “Ain’t Too Proud to Beg”. Randy told news that the performance “can bring R&B back.” Jennifer said he was amazing and Steven called him “one of the top 2 best Idols of all time.”

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Last week, the bottom three was Skylar Laine, Elise Testone and Hollie Cavanagh. The week before, the bottom three was Elise, Hollie, and Colton. But with Elise and Colton gone, what happened tonight on American Idol?

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Elise Testone was strong, but not stellar, on her delivery of Bold as Love. Randy Jackson told news that she “attacked the song.” Jennifer agreed, proclaiming “you slayed that song.” Steven told news that he was “touched” by the performance. But in recent weeks, Elise was sent to the bottom three. Could tonight pose a problem for Elise again?

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Joshua Ledet was on fire all night long. His performance of Ready for Love made Randy on Wednesday go “speechless”. Jennifer Lopez agreed. “I don’t even know what to say to you.” Steven said it was mind-blowing.

Skylar Laine was also strong with Tattoos On This Town. Randy said her vocal range was excellent. Steven and Jennifer both loved it.

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Earlier in Wednesday’s performances, however, several singers were good, but not great. Phillip Phillips with Fat Bottomed Girls got marginal reviews. Randy said “I liked it. Yes. Did I love it. No.” Steven said he was running “out of breath”. And Jennifer wasn’t so sure about it.

Elise Testone was strong, however, with I Want It All. Randy said the song fit her well. Jennifer agreed, telling news that “it was natural.” And Steven enjoyed it.

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But Joshua Ledet got a standing ovation with Crazy Little Thing. Randy told news that “it was unbelievable.” Jennifer agreed with “Joshua’s part of the show is my favorite part of the show.” Steven said Joshua is the man to beat.

A week ago, most fans thought Hollie was in trouble, however, not Jessica. They thought her performance of Perfect wasn’t perfect. Randy said it “wasn’t perfect but you redeemed yourself this week.” Jennifer agreed and Steven Tyler bluntly said “It wasn’t perfect tonight for me.”

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This week, however, the same judges praised Hollie and used the word “perfect” this time around. Randy this week said Hollie on Rolling was “close to perfect” and Steven said it was a “perfect” performance. Hollie, however, has been the bottom three before. Two weeks ago, the bottom three was DeAndre Brackensick, Hollie Cavanagh and Elise Testone.

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But many news analyst contended Elise was not in trouble this week. Elise’s performance of No One prompted Steven to call it “beautiful”, Randy to love it, and Jennifer to praise it. But did viewers agree. But midway through the telecast, Skylar Laine and Elise were brought to the middle stage.

And Elise was sent to the bottom three.

Nigel Lythgoe prewarned viewers tonight that they will possibly not be happy with tonight’s results. Nigel wrote “Yes, we have another BIG shock on #AmericanIdol tonight. Wow, we are going to have a lot of unhappy people tonight.”

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Many fans are still bothered by the elimination and save of Jessica last week. Jessica Sanchez drew huge praises from the judges last week with Stuttering. Randy said “Tonight you set the bar really high.” Jennifer Lopez said she wanted Jessica to sing with “impact… and take us on a ride.” Steve simply said “When I hear you sing, I forget where I am.”

Fans on twitter seemed to embrace her performance as well. Of Jessica, they wrote last week “She got me wanting to listen to Jazmine Sullivan now.” Another added “Jessica Sanchez just killed that Jazmine Sullivan song on American Idol….She got an amazing talent.”

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Until last week, Jessica had never ended in the bottom three this season. Jessica Sanchez delivered sweet notes week to week, even earlier this month with Sweet Dreams. Randy Jackson was blown away, telling news “I say it all the time, but stars are truly born.” Steven Tyler agreed, stating “You really know your notes.”