After months of auditions, nail-biting Hollywood drama and three sometimes-painful live-performance weeks, America finally got its top 12 on "American Idol" Thursday night (March 11) on a show that provided some of the first true surprises - and shocking exits - of season nine.
The handful of singers who appeared certain to end their runs on the show after crash-and-burn performances got miracle reprieves as Katelyn Epperly, Lilly Scott, Todrick Hall and Alex Lambert were voted off.
"American Idol"'s Top 11 were given their choice of any song from the history -- 116 years -- of Billboard magazine's Hot 100 list. Prior to taking the stage, the "Idol" hopefuls were mentored by pop princess Miley Cyrus.
For American Idol's top 11, the pressure was on: Elimination this week means no spot on the summer tour. But the added stakes didn't really shake up the show, as the front-runners.
While previous "American Idol" mentors have included Barry Manilow, Randy Travis and Diana Ross, the show took things a bit younger this week with Miley Cyrus coaching the top 11 contestants.
LOS ANGELES (AP) -- "American Idol" finalist Crystal Bowersox is on a roll. The 24-year-old musician and single mother of Toledo, Ohio, earned the judges' highest praise.
Before American Idol's 10 female semifinalists took the stage Wednesday night, one big question was on viewers' minds: Would early judge/fan favorite Crystal Bowersox.
![Lilly Scott - A Change Is Gonna Come [American Idol Season 9 - Top 10 Girls] 03/03/10](http://img.youtube.com/vi/nBEqsVW2KTQ/default.jpg)
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