American Idol Top 12 Finalists Revealed

Host Ryan Seacrest announced that more than 36 million votes came in to pick the top 12.

Sent home?

A teary Danny Noriega, 18, the snarky contestant who was splashed all over the internet thanks to an angry YouTube videohe made.

18-year-old Kady Malloy’s spot-on Britney Spears impersonations didn’t save her either.

Luke Menard, 29, and Asia’h Epperson, 19 — who was called a “second-rate” Whitney Houston by Simon Cowell on Wednesday’s show after singing “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” — also were sent packing.

Among the remaining are David Archuleta, 17, who won Star Search at age 12; David Hernandez, 24, who was a stripper until last September; Syesha Mercado, 21, last seen in a Ford commercial; and Carly Smithson, whose debut album on MCA Records cost $2 million to make, but only sold a few hundred copies.

The complete list:

- David Archuleta, 17, Murray, Utah
- Jason Castro, 20, Rockwall, Texas
- David Cook, 25, Blue Springs, Mo.
- Kristy Lee Cook, 24, Selma, Ore.
- Chikezie Eze, 22, Inglewood, Calif.
- David Hernandez, 24, Glendale, Ariz.
- Michael Johns, 29, Buckhead, Ga.
- Ramiele Malubay, 20, Miramar, Fla.
- Syesha Mercado, 21, Sarasota, Fla.
- Amanda Overmyer, 23, Mulberry, Ind.
- Carly Smithson, 24, San Diego
- Brooke White, 24, Mesa, Ariz.

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