After making it among “American Idol’s” Top 12, what do Danny Gokey, a 28-year-old church music director from Milwaukee, Michael Sarver, a 27-year-old oil rig worker from Jasper Texas and Alexis Grace, a 21-year-old singer mother from Memphis, have to say about it?

Given the chance to speak of their first victory, the first three to make it into the coveted final twelve were eager to share their plans to dominate season eight.

“I love you guys and what you did for me this week absolutely blew me away,” “Idol” finalist Michael Sarver told his fans in East Texas in a telephone interview. “I'm amazed at how many people voted. ... That means you get something from what I do and that means a lot to me.”

He also admitted he’s already enjoying the fame that comes with being a contestant in one of America’s most famous reality TV shows, and that he very much enjoys being recognized by people in public places.

“They either know my name or call me the roughneck guy, so whatever works! I love it,” he said. Sarver, an oil-rig worker from Jasper, Texas, said that being a “hardworking American” is part of his appeal, “especially in the economy and the day that we live.”

Joining Sarver in the first batch of the final twelve, Danny Gokey once more spoke about the tragic backstory that made him an early favorite in the competition, the death of his wife, Sophia, during surgery for a heart ailment.

Only seven months since she died, Gokey said his wife’s death is still a fresh wound and he is still mourning, but being picked among the final twelve is determining him to show a different side.

“It's only been seven months since she's passed,” he said in a conference call with reporters. “It's not that I throw it in people's faces, but I get asked about it all the time.

“Honestly, this is a sob story I don't want. I don't want this story. But it is shaping my life, and it is causing hope for a lot of people. Not only that, it's causing hope for my life,” he added.

Although he doesn't carry a reminder of her onstage, Gokey said it’s because she’s deeply “ingrained in my heart and mind that she's part of who I am,” and she would be “happy” to know he qualified as a finalist.

Last but not least, 21-year-old Memphis native Alexis Grace, who wowed the judges with her rendition of Aretha Franklin's “I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You,” said she still feels flattered after Simon Cowell told her she reminded him of Kelly Clarkson, the winner of “American Idol’s” first season. However, Cowell’s praise words only motivate her to become better.

“It just pushes me to do better each time now. Now I've really gotta step up my game and prove to them that they're right,” she said.

Next week, 12 more semifinalists will compete for another three spots in the Top 12. But those voted off still have a chance; after nine finalists are picked by viewer votes, the judges will select the final three contestants in a wild card round that airs on March 5.