A dozen contestants hit the stage on Wednesday, including the contentious Nick Mitchell, in an attempt to make it to “American Idol’s” much-hunted top 12.

 

As the results were concluded in Thursday, the top three vote-getters obtained a spot in the top 12, thus joining Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace and Michael Sarver, who managed to attain the level last week.

 

Although the night generally lacked drama, the judges did not fail to argue, as an incensed Kara DioGuardi asked Simon Cowell: “Do you even shut up?” and everybody was concerned about the fact that Nick Mitchell might succeed in reaching the finals.

 

Nevertheless, the show included some surprises as well. Ryan Seacrest announced that 23-year-old Kris Allen was among the lucky top three vote-getters, in spite of the fact that 22-year-old Megan Joy Corkrey had been one of the judges’ favorite competitor.

 

Simon Cowell, however, explained during the program that Kris had potential as a dreamboat for American teenage girls who would soon get bored with the blemish-free flawlessness of the Jonas Brothers. After the announcement, Kris Allen delivered another performance of “Man in the Mirror,” but did not manage to impress the panel this time either.

 

The teen phenomenon Allison Iraheta, 16, who bears a strong resemblance with Kelly Clarkson, also made it to the top 12, but this occurrence did not flabbergast anyone. “I’m just so friggin’ happy right now,” she said after being named by the host of the show.

 

The third lucky competitor who advanced to the next round of the popular Fox network singing contest was Adam Lambert, a 26-year-old theater actor from Los Angeles.