American Idol names Top 13

MANILA, Philippines - Finally, the much-awaited Top 12, make that Top 13, of American Idol (AI) is complete.

The reality TV show’s Season 8 on Q-11, has delivered the results of the Wild Card. Unlike last season where the lowest vote-getters were eliminated until the Top 12 was formed, this season had the top three vote getters per group go through the next round, the Top 12. And then the judges picked two contestants each for the Wild Card sing-off.

In another twist this season, four, instead of the expected three, were chosen from the Wild Card round: Megan Corkrey, the quirky and pretty blonde from Utah; Jasmine Murray, the 16-year-old with the big voice; Matt Giraud, the piano player with the soulful voice, and Anoop Desai, who squeaked through the next round. After the names of the three who survived the Wild Card round were announced, AI judge Simon Cowell added that there will be a 13th spot in the next round, and it belongs to adorable college student Anoop Desai.

The four who passed the Wild Card round will join the first nine and they will all go on to the next level of the competition. The first nine include Danny Gokey, the soulful crooner who recently lost his wife due to an ailment; Alexis Grace, the blonde young mom whose successful change in persona wowed viewers and AI judges; and Michael Sarver, the guy with the Everyman appeal.

Also joining the next round are Adam Lambert, the rocker with the crazy-wide vocal range; Allison Iraheta,the redhead who has been compared to Kelly Clarkson; Kris Allen, the boy-next-door; Scott McIntyre, the first blind contestant to make it this far in Idol; Jorge Nuñez, the first Puerto Rican to reach the Top 12, and Lil Rounds, the mother of three from Memphis who has one of the strongest pipes and most praised performances in this entire batch.

The Top 13 will start competing on performance night next Wednesday. Thursday will have results night with the contestant receiving the lowest number of votes bowing out of the competition.

American Idol airs Wednesdays at 6 p.m. with same day replay at 8 p.m. and Thursdays, 6 p.m. with same day replay at 8:30 p.m.