'American Idol': Three Advance, Eight Get Second Chance!

Lil Rounds, Scott MacIntyre and Jorge Nuñez were the trio of successful singers from Group No. 3 to make it into the Top 12, joining Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta, Kris Allen and Adam Lambert.

"This is great, thank you!" exclaimed Lil Rounds, who sang Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You." Judge Kara DioGuardi predicted that viewers can expect "just ridiculous vocals every single week" from Lil.

Scott MacIntyre, the visually impaired inspiration who crooned Bruce Hornsby's "Mandolin Rain," was second of the night to advance. "I'm just so blessed to be here. I'm having the time of my life," he said. "It feels like a dream come true." Randy Jackson gave Scott his vote of confidence, saying, "I know he's going to blow up the stage every time!"

And Jorge Nuñez, who belted out Elton John's "Don't Let The Sun Go Down on Me", was so excited by his Top 12-berth that he forgot his English entirely. "Muchas gracias!" he sang.

Then the tension mounted as the judges announced their wild-card picks -- eight contestants that they initially passed on, who will compete for the remaining three spots in the Top 12. The judges' selections were: Von Smith, Jasmine Murray, Ricky Braddy, Megan Corkrey, Tatiana Del Toro, Matt Giraud, Jesse Langseth and Anoop Desai.

Watch them face off Thursday night on "American Idol"!

Published 3/4/09 by