‘American Idol’ Recap: Jacob Lusk, Lauren Alaina Are the Best Finalists, Jacee Badeaux Among the Shocking Cuts

It's been a long road to the final 24 'American Idol' contestants, but the final list has been edited to over two dozen hopefuls who will now be subjected to fan voting.

A lot of early favorites got the go-ahead, like the soulful, somewhat hysterical Jacob Lusk, whose 'God Bless the Child' was deemed the best 'Idol' performance ever by longest tenured judge Randy Jackson. Lusk was hysterical when he got his good news, singing his way down the walk of fame. He sobbed like an infant last week when he was upstreamed.

Seth Rogen lookalike, the unconventional, stand up bassist Casey Abrams, engulfed the judges in warm hugs and knocked over a chair with excitement when they told him he was graduating. Vocal coach Jordan Dorsey was praised for giving his fellow contestants some advice and he moves on, while Lauren Alaina, with her bubblegum pink dress and cowboy boots, also moved forward, like we all knew she would. Remember, Steven Tyler referred to her as "The One" the minute she opened her mouth.

As for the shocking cuts? The unbelievably talented Jacee Badeuax, Jackson's "Louisiana brother," was cut but the judges begged him to come back. "You have magic in that voice, I believe that" was Jennifer Lopez's parting salvo to Jacee. Something tells me we will see this kid again, if there is any justice in the 'Idol' world.

Jessica Cunningham, who auditioned seven times before this season, was the final female cut, and on her 25th birthday, no less. She said her goodbyes, but not before thanking the judges for ruining her birthday with a two-finger salute to the cameras. She even joked that 'American Idol' censor bubbles would be covering her hand gestures in post-production, and, well, they were! This is truly the end of the road for her as she has hit the age limit.

Some of the final 24 took calculated risks that paid off, by performing their own songs, while others stayed in their safe zones, repeating songs from their debut auditions. Whatever the case or the comfort level, this batch of talent will literally take things night by night.

Next week, fans can start voting on this group of 24 hopefuls curated by Jackson, Tyler and Lopez. We're one step closer to the next 'American Idol!'