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The American Idol race is poised to be a tight one this season as last night the judges revealed their choices for the top 24 finalists. However, the reveal was not without drama and heartbreak.

Last night we finally saw the return of Angela Martin, the single mother from Chicago who has been plagued with trauma every season she auditions. The producers highlighted her story in the original audition, but she has yet to be seen since while news broke that her mother disappeared around Christmas. The news for Angela was not good–it was a no and even more sad is this is her last year eligible to audition.

Chris Golightly, the curly-haired carrot top with a foster family background, was disqualified from the competition due to a previous contract with a boy band. Golightly contends that the contract expired a month before his auditions. It is said that he is no longer eligible to audition again since he made the top 46 yet Lacey Brown, who did make the top 24 this year, sat side-by-side with Megan Joy at the same point last year. Let’s face it, Idol isn’t known for its consistency.

Then there’s Big Mike Lynch, who spent Hollywood week attached to the phone while his wife delivered their first child. Lynch did make the top 24 but when his father leaked to the press that his son had made the final 24, he was replaced by Antwan Michael. The contestants sign confidentiality agreements and Lynch was found in violation of this contract.

But the talent seems to be amazing this year. Here is the top 24:

Janell Wheeler, 24, Tampa, Florida

Tyler Grady, 20, Nazareth, Pennsylvania

Lacey Brown, 24, Amarillo, Texas

Ashley Rodriguez, 22, Chelsea, Massachusetts

Alex Lambert, 19, Fort Worth, Texas

Joe Munoz, 20, Huntington Park, California

Tim Urban, 20, Duncanville, Texas

Crystal Bowersox, 24, Elliston, Ohio

Katie Stevens, 17, Middlebury, Connecticut

Paige Miles, 24, Naples, Florida

Siobhan Magnus, 20, Cape Cod, Massachusetts

Michelle Delamor, 22, Miami, Florida

Jermaine Sellers, 27, Joliet, Illinois

John Park, 21, Northbrook, Illinois

Lilly Scott, 20, Littleton, Colorado

Andrew Garcia, 24, Moreno Valley, California

Casey James, 27, Fort Worth, Texas

Todrick Hall, 24, Arlington, Texas

Didi Benami, 23, Los Angeles,  California

Aaron Kelly, 16, Sonestown, Pennsylvania

Lee Dewayze, 23, Mount Prospect, Illinois

Katelyn Epperly, 19, Des Moines, Iowa

Antwan Michael, Hightstown, New Jersey

The 12 girls will perform on Tuesday while the boys perform Wednesday. Kris Allen will perform on Thursday’s results show.

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