Jennifer Lopez put production to a stop following the elimination of Chris Medina from this year’s American Idol competition. It was her fate to give him the bad news, and that’s when the downward spiral began. Fellow judges Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson tried to calm her down, Jackson turning to the staff to ask for “five.”

J-Lo pulled it together to speak to the next contestant, Karen Rodriguez, and Thurday's episode was officially underway. Lopez noticed Rodriguez at her audition, and Karen further distinguished herself throughout each long Hollywood round. “I think I did good. I feel it,” she told cameras before she made the long walk to face the judges. “I’ve been a fan of yours from the very beginning,” Jennifer Lopez told her.  Karen was told she's in the Top 24, and Lopez looked completely recovered from the emotion of the previous elimination.

Robbie Rosen, 17, gained attention during his initial audition, too. For his final Hollywood solo, Rosen softly crooned “Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word” to the judges to display his amazing range. “I really felt like I left it all out there,” he said of his performance. “So good, right out of the box,” Steven Tyler said of Rosen. He was pleased to deliver Robbie’s good news: he’s in the Top 24.

Tatynisa Wilson has barely been seen since her audition. She struggled in Hollywood, forgetting her lyrics on stage badly during the first solo performances. For her second Hollywood solo, Wilson crooned “Unbreak My Heart." Randy Jackson asked her if the contest is what she “really, really” wants. All three judges helped draw out the tension, but in the end Wilson’s tears turned into smiles. She’s also in the Top 24.

Tim Halperin stood out during Las Vegas, and for his final Hollywood performance he played an original piece of music on a grand piano. Tim’s song sounded pretty catchy, from the brief bits we heard. Steven Tyler asked Halerpin about his Idol journey, thus far. “We looked at your overall journey,” Randy Jackson told him, adding that there were “some ups and downs.” “We really are feeling how you are now, as an artist,” J-Lo told him. “I’m just sorry to tell you that...” Tyler’s voice trailed off dramatically, but Tim was grinning when he exited the room. He, too, has made it to the Top 24.

Julie Zorrilla, who partnered Tim in Vegas and has received a ton of camera time since her audition, was the next to make the long walk up to the judges. She’s beautiful, she can sing like a bird and she’s got an interesting back story. Julie was in the Top 24 before she went to Hollywood. Jennifer Lopez talked to Zorrilla about her “lack of depth and emotion” while singing. “You’re in the Top 24!” J-Lo finally cried. Julie danced her way out of the room, all smiles.

John Wayne Schulz and Scotty McCreery were interviewed in the sponsor room with Ryan Seacrest. The two men have been the preeminent “country boys” in the contest. McCreery gained attention early for his deep, low-pitched singing voice. For his last solo, he put his strong vocals on display while accompanying himself on acoustic guitar. His performance of “Long Black Train” was amazing enough to “make a Bronx girl like country music,” as J-Lo cried. McCreery revealed to Lopez that his grandmother urged him to tell her that her is, in fact, “one-quarter Puerto Rican.” McCreery’s gorgeous vocals and great personality easily scored him a slot in the Top 24. Randy Jackson praised him for his “authenticity,” and told him the panel are “big fans.” “He’s a good boy,” J-Lo observed of him as he walked away. But John Wayne isn’t “quite ready,” according to the judges. “He’s a nice guy. That’s a big dude right there,” Jackson observed as Schulz walked away.

Jovany Barreto was the next to walk to the judges. In case you didn’t remember Barreto’s abs, Idol reminded us that he took his shirt off during his initial audition. But Jovany has a gorgeous singing voice, which he put on display for his final solo performance. “We’ve been agonizing over this decision,” Jennifer Lopez told him. “You know that there’s only twenty-four spots,” she added. She had him convinced he was a goner when she gave him the good news: “You’re in the Top 24!”

Lauren Turner auditioned in New Orleans. She’s got diva potential written all over her, with a huge voice to back it up. “I really put my all into it,” she said of her last Hollywood solo. “I think Hollywood Week... was kind of up and down for you,” Randy Jackson admitted. He heaved a big sigh before calmly saying, “Tou made it.” As the news sank in, Lauren began to weep with joy.

Rachel Zevita tried to escape Ryan Seacrest when it was her turn to face the judges, but he urged her toward the room. She wore a ridiculous outfit for her long walk. Rachel is familiar to Idol watchers, as she’s auditioned for the contest since season 6. Her last solo was achingly emotional, and Rachel has a powerful voice inside the petite package she presents. She completely nailed for her final Hollywood solo, ending the number with a scream that got the judges applauding. “You impressed us when we first saw you,” Randy Jackson told her. “I’ve been rooting for you,” Jennifer Lopez said. “I’m really sorry to have to say that. . .that you’re coming through,” Steven Tyler had her completely psyched out. For a moment, Rachel didn’t realize she’s in the Top 24.

Kendra Chantelle was first spotted during the Nashville auditions. More recently, she was seen during the Las Vegas round singing a beautiful duet with Top 24 member Paul McDonald. Steven Tyler explained that the show is looking for “the whole package.” Chantelle faked out Seacrest and some of her other competitors, but she is indeed in the Top 24.

Jordan Dorsey gained a ton of attention during Hollywood’s Group Night. Dorsey was incredibly picky about his group members, whom he eventually ditched for another group. He showed the judges something completely different for his final Hollywood solo, impressing Jennifer Lopez with his pretty falsetto. “From the beginning, you were a standout,” J-Lo told him when he finally sat before the judges. Dorsey rocketed out of his chair as soon as she broke the news: he’s in the Top 24.

Lauren Alaina, 16, wore pink and purple for her long walk to the judges. She’s a pretty country girl who auditioned in Nashville and remained strong until Las Vegas, when she began to wrestle with her emotions. For her final solo in Hollywood, Laurens straightened her curly locks and sang softly to the judges with powerful feeling. “We fell in love with you the first time we heard your voice. But it’s been a long, crazy trip,” Steven Tyler observed. “You’re mean!” She accused Steven Tyler, after he convinced her she was eliminated. But not to worry, Alaina will remain on the show.

Stefano Langone is an accident survivor who impressed consistently in the competition. His final Hollywood performance was an original song that sounded powerful, but Langone has some weird phrasing issues. He identified his feelings as “very anxious” before he approached the judges. “Somebody has to go home, and we hate it,” Jennifer Lopez told him, before adding “We’d love to have you in our Top 24!” “I’m going to be on the live show!” He cried after walking away.

Jacob Lusk had to face them next. He’s got an amazing instrument in his voice. For his first Hollywood solo (video above), he absolutely went wild on stage. Lusk sang “God Bless the Child” so impressively, the judges gave him a standing ovation. “Your performance of ‘God Bless the Child,’ I think, is the single best performance ever on Idol,” Randy Jackson told a stunned Lusk. This made Jacob a shoo-in for the Top 24. His celebration was one of the best in Idol history, too.

Toward the end of the day, only a handful of favorites remained to learn their fate. Pia Toscano is a long-legged, gorgeous brunette with a strong singing voice. She shined during her two group performances, but it was her last Hollywood solo that sold the judges. “We’re going to keep it short and sweet,” Jennifer Lopez told her. A lengthy pause, and then: “You made it into the Top 24.”

James Durbin took his walk next. He has a young son, Asperser’s and Tourettes syndrome, and an amazing voice. Durbin can be powerful when he likes, and seems to be a particular favorite of Steven Tyler. His last Hollywood solo was absolutely incredible. “I’ll take an order of that!” Steven Tyler cried at the end of it. “You’re a lightning bolt,” Tyler told him when he faced them again, accusing Durbin of performing “Don’t Wanna Miss a Thing” better than he, Steven, does. “I think you’re going to go on to great heights... welcome to the 24!” Durbin delivered a fist pump on his way back down the long aisle.

Casey Abrams, whose choice of unusual musical instruments gained early attention, met with the panel next. Abrams performed well in Hollywood and Las Vegas. For his final Hollywood solo, he said he wanted to show his sexiness... and boy, did he. His soft performance was different from the theatrics he’s delivered in the past, though he brought a unique flavor to his rendition of “Do Right.” “In the history of the show... I don’t think we’ve ever had a musician as talented as yourself,” Randy Jackson told him, likening Casey to “three people in one.” He then exuberantly welcomed Abrams into the Top 24. Casey knocked his chair over to give the judges big hugs. “I’ll get that, I’ll get that. I’ll pay for it, I swear,” he said of the chair when he calmed down a little.

Thia Megia and Jessica Cunningham were the only females who remained as the day wore on. “The two of you are going to go in there together,” Seacrest explained. “I don’t know the results,” he added. Thia, 15, shined in Milwaukee with her unique voice, but she struggled during the Las Vegas group round. Her final Hollywood solo, “Your Raise Me Up” was amazing enough to win any judge over. Jessica, a seven-time Idol auditioner, sailed through all her audition rounds. The two held hands as they took the long walk together. “Today’s my birthday,” Cunningham cautioned the judges. “We had a lot to take into consideration,” Jennifer Lopez explained. “We have our rocker, our only rocker in the competition, and we have our fifteen-year-old phenom,” she explained. “As tough as it is, we’re going to ask Thia to stay,” J-Lo finally had to break the news. The two held hands as they walked back down the room, too. And just like that, Idol had 12 girls for their Top 24.

Jacee Badeaux, Brett Loewenstern and Colton Dixon were left in the room. The three were convinced that two spots remained open, but Ryan Seacrest explained there was only one. “And, the three of you are going to go in together.” Jacee and Brett have both gained lots of camera time throughout the contest. Jacee's final Hollywood solo was touchingly beautiful, and there’s no question that his voice is amazing. Brett held hands with the other two as they walked to the judges. He’s got a unique look and voice that immediately sets him apart. Colton performed an amazing solo in Hollywood early on, and for his last Hollywood solo he set the stage on fire with his strong vocals.

“The last three of the day,” Randy Jackson observed. “This is probably the toughest of these we’ve ever done,” he sighed. “You’re all so talented, and special and unique,” Jennifer Lopez added. Randy was the one who broke the news, offering Brett Loewenstern congratulations while the other two got apologies. All received hugs. “Oh, sweetie,” J-Lo cried as she embraced Jacee.

And there you have it. The Top 24 perform for your vote next week, beginning with the men. You’ll be voting on Brett Loewenstern, Jovany Barreto, Jacob Lusk, Paul McDonald, Clint Jun Gamboa, Robbie Rosen, Stefano Langone, Jordan Dorsey, Tim Halperin, James Durbin, Casey Abrams and Scotty McCreery.

The Top 12 girls will perform the next night. You’ll vote on Naima Adepo, Julie Zorrilla, Karen Rodriguez, Lauren Turner, Kendra Chantelle, Ashton Jones, Rachel Zevita, Haley Reinhart, Thia Megia, Lauren Alaine, Pia Toscano and Tatinisa Wilson. And remember that this year, you'll have the option of voting via Facebook for your favorites.

Some of them will be going home in Thursday’s live results show. Stay up-to-date on all the latest gossip, spoilers and recaps -- read all our American Idol 10 posts.