The Semi-Finalists - With A Twist!

It was an Idol cliffhanger: Did family man Adam Brock make the Top 24? Steven said he hated to deliver the news but . . . he's going through! Adam was the first contestant to fill the last ten spots in the Top 24.

"I can feel the joy in your soul coming from you in your singing," Randy told an emotional Adam.

Up next in the hot seat was Jeremy Rosado, who has become close to some of the other younger Idol contestants. Jennifer loved his voice, but his final performance truly made him a star. "What was that?" she asked Jeremy. "I don't know!" he responded. Jeremy has also been cheering on the other contestants, leading the judges to take note of his "big heart."

"All of who you are came out when you sang — it was transcendental. There's no way we wouldn't want you in the Top 24 this year," Jennifer raved. Who said nice guys finish last?

Next up was Shannon Magrane, the 16-year-old Steven described as "hot, humid, and happening" in front of her dad. Shannon forgot the lyrics during group week, but she surprised Jennifer with her amazing solo. "I'm not gonna draw this out; I thought you were an American Idol to begin with," Steven told Shannon, adding, "Does your daddy still hate me?"

Scott Dangerfield wasn't so lucky. Jennifer loved him last year, but he had to pull out during Hollywood Week. This year, he said, he was happy with his performance but agreed with the judges that there's "stuff he needs to work on."

"It's no secret that I've been a fan of yours since I saw you last year. You came this year, and I was so excited. I felt like you could really, really do well," Jennifer said. But here's the bad news: "I never felt that same thing that I felt the first time. Unfortunately, you didn't make it this year," she said. "I'm hoping we see you again."

The atmosphere remained tense as Skylar Laine took the hot seat. She was scared because Chelsea Sorrell got through, and she's also a country performer. "I'm not sure they'll put two through this year," she confided. Plus, her final audition wasn't up to her standards, but Randy said she's been pretty consistent from the beginning, "like a young Reba . . . you made it, baby!" he said.

Early favorite Hallie Day made the final cut, as did country crooner Chase Likens and returning contestant Aaron Marcellus. "I fought for you just as hard this year," Jennifer said. "But this year I won!"

Deandre Brackensick is also a returning contestant, with "high hopes for this year." And so far, so good: The judges loved his signature falsetto when he sang for his life on "This Woman's Work."

"This year was different. We could see your confidence and voice had grown. We'd be crazy people if we didn't ask you to be in the Top 24," Jennifer said.

And what about gentle giant Jermaine Jones? The mama's boy was tormented by doubts in the hours leading up to the final decision. "I've seen so many great people go home today," he said. "I don't want to disappoint my mom . . . I know that I deserve it. I hope they see that I deserve it too."

As he took the hot seat, Randy broke it down to the soulful baritone. "You're one of the most different artists we have had; you had a great initial audition, then a bunch of up-and down performances. Something just needs a little more work, so this year you did not make the Top 24." Jermaine took the news very hard, making Steven feel awful. "I thought I became a singer in this business to break people's hearts in a good way," he said.

The Top 24 was nearly complete, with just one spot left for the boys and one for the girls. The judges decided to see teenagers Shelby Tweten, Ariel Sprague, and Hollie Cavanagh all at once. Only Hollie made it through to the next level of the competition.

Finally, just two of the youngest contestants remained in the running: Eben Franckewitz and David Leathers, Jr. While spunky David is known as "Mr. Steal Your Girl," the more mild-mannered Eben revealed his newfound swagger in Vegas. Both guys have had some very special moments, though Steven said David can be "overconfident" while Eben can be "under-confident."

It was good news for Eben, but bad news for his friend. "David, work on it and come back," Randy told him. David was happy for his pal, but still pretty bummed. "I'm devastated, but this isn't gonna stop me," he said. "I'm gonna keep doing what I do. I'm definitely gonna come back next year."

But wait! In a last-minute twist, the judges decided to add another guy, turning the Top 12 guys into the Top 13! The new addition will be Jermaine Jones, Richie Law, Johnny Keyser, or David Leathers, Jr. You'll find out on Tuesday night, when the guys perform live for your vote!