Local 'Idol' Ricky Braddy eliminated....

After 12 contestants performed Tuesday night, including Elizabeth City native Ricky Braddy, only three were sent to the next round of competition on Wednesday’s "American Idol."

Nine were eliminated, including the "Braddy's Bunch's" very own Ricky. Awwww..... (throwing hands up in the air.)

The 26-year-old singer seemed like a solid candidate to advance to the top 12. Ricky got rave reviews from the judges (well, except Simon saying he lacked star quality).

I blame the fact that producers spent more time drawing out the freakish antics of Tatiana del Torro and the BFF relationship between Danny, who performed "Hero" and Jamal, who didn't make the top 36. Ricky didn't get much camera time and that certainly hurt him in advancing to the next round. (Because we all know it wasn't his singing!)

The top three who did advance are:

Alexis Grace, 21; Danny Gokey, 28; and Michael Sarver, 27.

Michael, an oil-rig roughneck, defied judges' expectations by winning a spot in the Top 12 with his karaoke-ready rendition of Gavin DeGraw's "I Don't Wanna Be." (It wasn't that good...)

The next group of 12 -  Megan Corkrey, Kris Allen, Mishavonna Henson, Matt Breitzke, Allison Iraheta, Matt Giraud, Jasmine Murray, Kai Kalama, Jesse Langseth, Adam Lambert, Jeanine Vailes and Nick Mitchell - performs next Wednesday.

Process of elimination means Virginia Beach's Felicia Barton will perform in group 3!! Be sure to tune in to her performance March 3.

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