This season of Fox’s popular talent show “American Idol” brings to light even more drama than usual.

 

Tatiana Del Toro was given one more reason to whine about, as the 28-year-old humming contestant from San Juan, Puerto Rico, was among the nine “American Idol” semifinalists who were sent home on Wednesday. Tatiana Del Toro, whom judge Simon Cowell called a “drama queen” after she delivered her performance on Tuesday, cried as a result of her elimination, although she had told host Ryan Seacrest before hearing the results that her fate was in the hands of the nation and that it was “up to the power of love.”

 

However, the first three finalists of the program’s eighth season did not shed a single tear, not even of joy, in spite of the fact that they made it to the next round. The contestants who received the most viewer votes last night were: Alexis Grace, the expressive 21-year-old single mom from Memphis, Tenn.; Michael Sarver, the brawny 27-year-old platform worker from Jasper, Texas; and Danny Gokey, the funky 28-year-old church music director from Milwaukee. Thanks to their skills and charisma, the three were able to stay in the competition.

 

Danny Gokey, who is a recent widower, wowed the judges by performing Mariah Carey’s tune “Hero” at the end of Tuesday’s performance round. The panel was also amazed by Alexis Grace’s presentation of Aretha Franklin’s “Never Loved a Man” track, comparing the young contestant to the first winner of the show, Kelly Clarkson.  Michael Sarver, however, who sang Gavin Degraw’s “I Don’t Wanna Be,” obtained a mixed feedback from the judges.

 

“I think if you get through, it’s because people like you,” Simon Cowell told Sarver on Tuesday.

 

A dozen more semifinalists will struggle for three spots in the competition’s final top 12 next week, but Tatiana Del Toro and other eliminated semifinalists such as Ricky Braddy and Anoop Desai might get a second chance thanks to the wild card round. Following the viewers’ selection of the first nine finalists, the judges will have the opportunity to select the last three lucky contestants during a wild card round which is due to take place on March 5.

 

Danny Gokey managed to overwhelm the judges notwithstanding the fact that Randy Jackson, Kara DioGuardi, Paula Abdul and Simon Cowell had already been fond of him. “You are the hero, man,” judge Kara DioGuardi told Danny after his performance on Tuesday. “You give us all hope. You were great.”