The First Fourteen

It was the performance that would change their lives forever: Idol hopefuls sang one final song before the judges made the most ruthless cuts of all: whittling down the remaining 42 contestants to the Top 24.

Around 10 a.m. on Decision Day, winery worker Jen Hirsh was the first to perform. Jen had sailed through Hollywood Week and even got a standing ovation from the judges, but was she able to impress them with her final performance? "It was OK for you; I've seen you better," Randy said. But despite that one little slip, Jen's in the Top 24! "Jen, you made it, baby," Randy raved. "You're one of the best singers this year . . . we're truly honored to have you."

Next up was Creighton Fraker, the adopted preacher's kid whose birth father, we learned last night, was in the '80s heavy metal band Flotsam and Jetsam. In his final chance to "sing for his life," he chose "New York State of Mind." Jennifer said he has a chance of having that "special something that will touch America." Creighton is in!

Lauren Gray has been an early favorite since auditions, when Jennifer summed up an entire day in two words: "Lauren Gray." But Lauren wasn't quite so confident during Hollywood Week. "The competition got a little bit more difficult for you," Randy said. Then he delivered the night's most shocking news: "You did not make it this year." The judges urged Lauren to come back and try again, and while she's not sure she will, she said that she feels "blessed" to have met the judges. "You have made me believe in myself," she said.

So how did preacher's son Joshua Ledet fare? Joshua was nervous after his final song. "A 'no' could crush somebody . . . I think it could crush me," he admitted. Randy warned Joshua that "Sometimes the better singers don't quite make it . . . [dramatic pause] You made it, bro!" Joshua burst into grateful song right on the spot, leading Jennifer to quip, "That's something real right there."

After a few more rejections, it was time to determine college student Haley Johnsen's fate. Haley shined in Vegas, but Randy said that she needs to believe in herself. Nevertheless, Steven had good news: "You're going through!" Heejun Han seemed particularly happy to celebrate Haley's good news, if you catch our drift.

During his final performance, Neco Starr tried to woo Jennifer with a romantic ballad. "Now the world can get a chance to see Neco Starr for who he is," he said excitedly. But Randy had to deliver the bad news: "Neco, you didn't make it this time." Jennifer explained, "It's not because we don't think you're a star." She said that he just needs a little more time.

After a few more painful cuts (including Clayton Farhat and Caleb Johnson), it was time to learn the fate of Elise Testone. "We've had some amazing singers; I don't want to drag this out for you . . ." Randy began. "You made it!" Jennifer interjected. "You're one of best singers we've seen."

With five contestants already through, Reed Grimm took the hot seat. Reed had impressed the judges with his scatting, natural stage presence, and talent on the drums, but was it enough? "We know that you can really scat," Randy said, adding that they want to hear more of his vocals. "That's the one thing we were missing yesterday," Jennifer continued. Steven explained that they're looking for singers who "got all that — and that would be you!" Reed is going through.

Mobile DJ Erika Van Pelt has been wowing the judges all along, but they weren't crazy about her final performance. "I don't like this song for her," Jennifer noted. The judges prepared to give Erika the news: "Some people blew us away, but we had a lot of people who didn't do as amazing as we thought they were gonna do, and unfortunately you were one of those people," Jennifer said. "Yesterday was difficult because we had to decide who we're gonna take a chance on," she continued. "We're gonna take one more chance on you, Erika." Erika was completely shocked. "This doesn't happen to girls like me," she said.

Two country girls are still in the running: Chelsea Sorrell and Baylie Brown. Chelsea stumbled a bit in auditions, but Steven told her that she already knows what their answer is going to be: she made it!

Baylie is back for her second Idol audition. So did her five-year hiatus make all the difference? "I feel like I could do a little bit better on some performances; I had some good ones in there," she told the judges. "It doesn't give me great pleasure to say that . . . actually it makes me ecstatic,"  Steven responded. "You're going though!"

Cowboy Richie Law had a "really bad feeling" in his stomach; he thought it could go either way. Steven agreed that he had some good moments, but Randy broke the news: "Unfortunately, you didn't make it this year."

As for Richie's rival, Heejun Han? Jennifer admired his buttery tone on "New York State of Mind," but Heejun explained that he's "100 percent" trying out for the special needs kids he works with . . . and to "hug and kiss" Jennifer. Steven broke it down for a very nervous Heejun. "You're a better star than you are a singer," Steven said. "So we're gonna put you through, pal!" Heejun was overtaken by emotion as he filled the tenth spot in the Top 24.

Jessica Sanchez has been watching Idol since she was five, and her parents have spent a lot of money on her music career. The 16-year-old really wanted to make it through so she can help support her family. Jennifer was gentle when she asked, "Will you join our Top 24?" An emotional Jessica accepted.

Pawnshop worker Phillip Phillips also really badly wanted to be in the Top 24. "It's insane how much I want it," he admitted. "You're so unique and so different, but also you never know how that's gonna play in front of everyone else," Randy said. Guess they think it will play well: Phillip is NOT going home!

Colton Dixon tried out with his sister, Schyler, for the past two seasons (he wasn't even planning to audition this year; he was just tagging along with her!). He took it worse than she did when she was sent home during Hollywood Week, so he dedicated his final song, Coldplay's "Fix You," to her. And this time . . . "You made it, dude!" Randy said.

As the evening rolled on, New Yorker Brielle Von Hugel awaited her fate. Brielle was eliminated last season during Hollywood Week, but she and her stage mom have been fighting back this year. Randy admired her "fearlessness" at a young age. She's going through!

Finally, family man Adam Brock hoped to join the Top 24 and make his wife and baby proud, but his final performance disappointed the judges. "I love the way you sing, but you have to figure out who you really are," Jennifer explained.  Randy wasn't sure about Adam's jazzy, lounge-y arrangement, and he said that the decision the judges reached was not unanimous. Will Adam fill one of the remaining top spots? We'll find out on Thursday night!