Keith Urban can rest assured America does have a pulse.
On Wednesday night’s “American Idol,” after Candice Glover tore down the house with her rendition of “Somewhere” from “West Side Story,” Keith suggested that if people in America didn’t vote for the singer after that performance, they “probably didn’t have a pulse.”
And, on Thursday night’s results show, hearts beat loudly for Candice, who was the first contestant put through to the Season 12 finale.
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A huge roar went through the studio audience over the announcement and even the judges were on their feet cheering.
“I’m not gonna cry,” an emotional Candice said after learning the news.
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She will compete against powerful country-leaning vocalist Kree Harrison, who was kept until the end of the night to learn about her spot in the finals.
As Kree was sent on to the finale, it was Angie Miller, 19, who was eliminated.
It was a tearful moment for the young woman, who shortly after learning the news, had to perform one final song.
“It’s tradition,” host Ryan Seacrest said.
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Angie struggled through the number, and as the camera panned to the judges, fans could see Mariah Carey trying to coach her through it.
“I’m sorry,” Angie said as she continued to try to sing.
Eventually, her family was invited up on stage, and the judges rushed up to embrace the departing youngster.
Earlier in the day on Thursday, Judge Randy Jackson issued a statement to the media, announcing he will leave “Idol” at the end of the current season, but the news was only jokingly addressed on the program.
“A little later on, we’ll announce who is leaving our show,” Ryan said, swinging Randy’s chair around at the judges’ table.
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