RECORD-SETTING 64 MILLION VOTES SEND KRIS ALLEN, DANNY GOKEY AND ADAM LAMBERT INTO “AMERICAN IDOL” TOP 3

ALLISON IRAHETA IS ELIMINATED FROM COMPETITION

Top 3 Finalists Perform Two Songs Each on Next Week’s Performance Show Tuesday, May 12, on FOX

Special Performances by Katy Perry and Jordin Sparks on Next Results Show Wednesday, May 13

Kris Allen, Danny Gokey and Adam Lambert are the American Idol Top 3 finalists after it was revealed that Allison Iraheta received the fewest of America’s votes. A record-setting 64 million votes were cast last night, shattering all previous non-finale voting records. Next week, the Top 3 finalists will compete head-to-head on the live American Idol performance show Tuesday, May 12 (8:00-9:04 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed). Each contestant will sing two songs – judges’ choice and finalist’s choice – on the second-to-last performance show of the season.

Tune in the following night Wednesday, May 13 (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) to the results show to find out which two finalists will face-off in the final showdown at the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE. During the live results show, Katy Perry will perform “Waking up in Vegas,” the newest single from her platinum debut album, “One of the Boys,” while Jordin Sparks returns to the IDOL stage to perform her new single, “Battlefield.”

The AMERICAN IDOL Top 3 finalists are:

Kris Allen (23) – Currently lives in Conway, AR, but grew up in Jacksonville, Arkasas. Allen is a student at the University of Central Arkansas. He has been singing and playing the guitar since he was 13 years old. Yahoo Group – Kris Allen Kris says “Making the Top 3 is a huge thing for me. I get to go home and interact with people from my hometown. That is what I am most looking forward to.”

Danny Gokey (28) – Raised and currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Gokey is the president and founder of a non-profit organization. In addition to singing, he plays the piano and loves salsa dancing. Yahoo Group – Danny Gokey Danny says “It means everything to me that I get to go home. My heart looks forward to that. I can’t wait to hug necks, shake hands and sing my butt off.”

Adam Lambert (27) – Lambert grew up in San Diego, California but currently lives in Hollywood. He began singing at age 10, and has been involved with musical theater for the past eight years. Yahoo Group – Adam Lambert Adam says “Top 3 is crazy! It’s a big milestone. We get to go home. To have my hometown rooting for me and following the show is really surreal and really, really exciting. I have a feeling it will be overwhelming. I’m a little nervous, but looking forward to it.”

Since the 2007 digital release of the hilarious, zeitgeist-capturing single “Ur So Gay,” singer-songwriter Katy Perry has gone from internet music sensation to bona fide pop-rock star. With her debut album, “One of the Boys,” the Grammy-nominated artist captured the hearts of critics and audiences alike with witty, sassy songs such as “Hot N Cold,” “Thinking of You” and “I Kissed a Girl.”

19 Entertainment/Jive Records recording artist Jordin Sparks’ self-titled debut album was recently certified platinum by the RIAA. The eponymous debut spawned three Top 5 hits on Billboard’s Pop 100 singles charts, including “Tattoo,” the Grammy-nominated ”No Air” and “One Step at a Time.” The combined digital and mobile sales of all three singles have sold in excess of 8 million units collectively. Sparks is currently in the studio working on her sophomore album and is collaborating with several top producers, including Dr. Luke, Toby Gad and Stargate, who produced her platinum-certified first single, “Tattoo.”

AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, executive producer, FremantleMedia North America.

Source: FOX Press Release