Shocking Elimination on American Idol Season 8; Top 2 Finalists Revealed

Over 88 million votes came in...

...And the Top 2 finalists were finally revealed.

Here's the recap of last night's American Idol Season 8 elimination night:

The show started with Danny Gokey, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert's last Ford music video which was based on the song "Ain’t Nothin’ Gonna Break My Stride".

Alicia Keys then came on the stage together with a Rwandan child named Noah who sang an English song "I’m the World’s Greatest" that he learned in one week. In this line, Alicia asked for donations to help prevent AIDS in Africa.

Ryan Seacrest called Danny Gokey on centerstage and talked about the song choices from last night. He told Danny to have a seat on the couch and he will get back to him in a few minutes. Ryan called Kris Allen afterwards and took the audience on his journey home this past week. To hold the suspense, Ryan sent back Kris to the sofa to sit with Danny.

American Idol Sixth season winner Jordin Sparks came out next and sang her hit single "Battle Field".

After Jordin Sparks' number, Ryan Seacrest called Adam Lambert on center stage. Just like with Danny and Kris, he showed Adam’s homecoming the past week. He also talked about Adam’s song choices and sent the rocker to the couch together with Kris and Danny.

Katy Perry came out and performed her latest song "Waking Up In Vegas". Katy was wearing a cape with Adam's name on it...her way of showing America how she adored Adam. This is actually the first time a guest artist has openly campaigned for a contestant on the show.

Ryan Seacrest then announced the first person competing next week in the finale...surprisingly, it was Kris Allen. The second name announced to go head to head with Kris in the finale is Simon's favorite Adam Lambert.

Everyone seemed shocked as Carrie Underwood’s farewell song played for Danny Gokey.

Source: starmometer

American Idol Season 8: Top 3 "Favorite Idol Songs" Performances Night

Watch below (click names to view performances) the performances of 3 remaining American Idol hopefuls doing their "Favorite Idol Songs" performances:

Danny Gokey - Dance Little Sister Dance by Terence Trent D’Arby

Randy Jackson: The way to jump it off tonight. Sounded good. That was dope for me.

Kara DioGuardi: This keeps you in his money spot but the dancing was a little to gyrating for me.

Paula Abdul: I think you did really good. You let that magic part of your voice carry on.

Simon Cowell: Vocally very very good. My problem was the toy saxophone solo in the middle. I think it was the wrong song.

Kris Allen - Apologize by OneRepublic

Randy Jackson: I know that right now it is about who is going to win this thing. This is the kind of artist you can be. Nice, very nice.

Kara DioGuardi: It was a confident performance but at this stage you have to be hitting it out of the park. I wanted you to make it more your own. Take more chances.

Paula Abdul: That song sits in the right place with your voice. There was a bum note there that was loud but I am proud of you.

Simon Cowell: It was the original but not quite as good.

Adam Lambert - One by U2

Randy Jackson: You are still in the zone. You have been hot since day 1. Unbelievable vocals. You are a really talented guy.

Kara DioGuardi: You are an amazing strategist. You can change up the melodies and make it unbelievable. You did your own version.

Paula Abdul: It was one brilliant song and one brilliant performance.

Simon Cowell: I thought that was a brilliant song choice. You worked out what you wanted to do with it and it was a brilliant performance.

Danny Gokey - You Are So Beautiful by Joe Cocker

Randy Jackson: You showed you are here because you can really really sing. Mad vocals.

Kara DioGuardi: Everything you didn’t do in the first performance you did here. Stunning.

Paula Abdul: You left all of us breathless. You infused your own thing into it. You nailed it.

Simon Cowell: I wouldn’t have done the same arrangement. This is a singing competition and I would call that a vocal masterclass.

Kris Allen - Heartless by Kanye West

Randy Jackson: This is gonna be one of the toughest voting nights. I like that version better than the original. You are in it to win it.

Kara DioGuardi: Why didn’t you do that with Apologize. That was brave. Perfect, the tone, the pitch.

Paula Abdul: You sang a song about Simon Cowell. This is what keeps you relevant.

Simon Cowell: I had written you out of the competition but that has changed after that performance.

Adam Lambert - Cryin by Aerosmith

Randy Jackson: You are one of the best we have ever had on this stage. You should make a rock album. You are a rock star.

Kara DioGuardi: Amazing. We will see you at the finals.

Paula Abdul: You set the bar so high in the sky. We will be seeing you next week and many years after that.

Simon Cowell: It is very easy to assume you will sail through to the final.

Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace and Michael Sarver Make it To American Idol Season 8 "Top 12"

Church music director Danny Gokey, young mother Alexis Grace and roughneck worker Michael Sarver are the first 3 finalists of American Idol Season 8.

Danny Gokey outsang the rest of the contestants Tuesday night through his soulful rendition of the Mariah Carey Olympics anthem "Hero" (watch it here). While, Alexis Grace sang "Never Loved a Man" by Aretha Franklin and Michael Sarver performed Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Wanna Be".

The three will next compete on March 10 along with the 9 other finalists, which will be known on the next episodes.

The other 9 eliminated contestants, however, will still have a chance to become one of the Top 12 through the wildcard competition happening on March 5. They are:

Ricky Braddy
Anne Marie Boskovich
Casey Carlson
Anoop Desai
Tatiana del Toro
Stephen Fowler
Brent Keith
Jacklyn “Jackie” Tohn
Stevie Wright

On February 25 and March 3, two more groups composed of 12 contestants each will compete to get a slot in the Top 12:

Group 2 (on February 25)
Kris Allen
Matt Breitzke
Matt Giraud
Kai Kalama
Adam Lambert
Nick Mitchell
Megan Corkrey
Mishavonna Henson
Allison Iraheta
Jesse Langseth
Jasmine Murray
Jeanine Vailes

Group 3 (on March 3)
Ju'Not Joyner
Scott MacIntyre
Nathaniel Marshall
Jorge Nuñez
Von Smith
Alex Wagner-Trugman
Arianna Afsar
Felicia Barton
Kendall Beard
Kristen McNamara
Lil Rounds
Taylor Vaifanua