American Idol's Phillip Phillips Takes The Upper Hand

American Idol judges were on their feet for Joshua Ledet during Thursday's final elimination show, but the crooner didn't manage to win over fans and was sent packing. Despite a strong performance, Ledet eventually finished third in the competition, leaving Jessica Sanchez to battle Phillip Phillips for this year's crown.

The finale - which will feature two hours of performances and guest appearances - will take place on Tuesday (May 22, 2012), with the results episode taking place the following evening. Sanchez has impressed the judges from the very start of the competition, though singer-songwriter Phillips seems to have won praise for his distinctive style of guitar playing. He would continue a pattern of similar winners that includes KRIS ALLEN, LEE DYWYZE and Scotty Mccreery, though not all have achieved the fame that many expected. Joshua Ledet was gracious in defeat on Thursday and closed the show with a stirring rendition of 'It's a Man's World', replicating one of his stronger performances of the season. During his earlier performance of Etta James' 'I'd Rather Go Blind', judge Steven Tyler predicted Ledet would go on to win the competition, though the American public clearly did not agree.

Thursday's results show also included performances from Adam Lambert who sang 'Never Close Our Eyes' from his sophomore album 'Trespassing', and Lisa Marie Presley who sang 'You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet'. Phillip Phillips is the favorite heading into the finale, though Jessica Sanchez fans will be confident she can break the long list of successive male winners.