Danny Gokey, Alexis Grace Clinch Spots In ‘American Idol’ Top 12, Shocked Contender Takes Third Spot

After 24 million votes, two male hopefuls and a lone lady were put through to the Top 12 of “American Idol’s” Season 8 on Wednesday night.

Favorite Danny Gokey was the last contestant to be put through on Wednesday night’s broadcast, a surprise to no one but Tatiana Del Toro, who host Ryan Seacrest pulled down to the front of the stage alongside the spectacled singer as he read out the verdict.

Tatiana, who Simon Cowell had called a “drama queen” on Tuesday, lived up to her reputation as the news was read. She was captured by the cameras putting her hand on her heart and later bursting into tears as Danny performed Mariah Carey’s “Hero” while the credits rolled.

During the spiky-haired singer’s performance, his hometown friends offered a tribute to Danny’s wife, who died a month before he auditioned for the Fox competition, holding up a photo of the couple for the cameras.

And Danny’s elimination survival wasn’t the only non-surprise of the night. Alexis Grace, the pint-sized blonde singer (with pink tips), was the only female who made it through during the first round of eliminations.

“Oh my gosh,” Alexis exclaimed after Ryan handed down the news. “This is awesome. Thank you so much.”

But there was a shocker up the show’s sleeve. While many, including several former “American Idols,” had high hopes for Anoop Desai, the young man with the big, soulful voice was sent packing during the broadcast. And instead, clinching the third and final spot out of the season’s first 12 contenders was Michael Sarver, the robust gent who had performed Gavin DeGraw’s “I Don’t Want To Be” the evening before.

“Oh thank you guys,” a thoroughly shocked, but elated Michael said. “Oh my God, this is the world, I can’t tell you how bad I’ve been beaten myself up today.”