'American Idol' Names Its Top 24

In the wake of Wednesday’s emotional elimination on American Idol, things were much happier on last night’s two-hour results show, as Jennifer Lopez and her fellow dictators of sound revealed the remaining contestants advancing to the Top 24.

After wiping away any lingering tears, the judges playfully teased the emotionally unstable performers vying for a chance at stardom from the comfort of their interview-style setting. "I'm just not sure how you're going to be able to handle in the big-time… since you're going through, girl!" Steven Tyler told Lauren Alaina. "Unfortunately in these days somebody has to go home, and we hate it. And at the end of the day we just really, really feel… that we'd love to have you in our Top 24!" Lopez joked with Stefano Langone, whom she described as "a talented kid."

Among the rest of the hopefuls who will live to sing another day: Jacob Lusk, whose rendition of “God Bless the Child” Randy Jackson called the “the single best performance ever on Idol,” and Rachel Zevita, who previously made it to Hollywood Week in season 6. Persistence was not as helpful to other contestants, as seasoned vet Jessica Cunningham — who has auditioned for the show seven times — was informed by the judges that she'd be going home.

Casey Abrams, Jovany Barreto, Kendra Chantelle, Jordan Dorsey, James Durbin, Tim Halperin, Brett Loewenstern, Thia Megia, Scotty McCreery, Karen Rodriguez, Robbie Rosen, Pia Toscano, Lauren Turner, Tatynisa Wilson, and Julie Zorrilla join Naima Adedapo, Ashthon Jones,Clint Jun Gamboa, Paul McDonald, and Haley Reinhart, all of whom moved on Wednesday night. —EMILY EXTON