The 44 contestants who made it through Hollywood week sit nervously in a room at the the Pasadena Civic Centre but we only need 24 so 20 of them will be going home with their American Idol dream dashed. The judges have looked through their notes and viewed their preformances again to help them make their final decision but no matter how sure they are, it is going to be an extremely tough day.

When their name is called, they will step into an elevator and head up to meet the judges and hear their fate.

First up is Jessica Santos who gets a no straight away. Before we've even had a chance to blink, Bobby Bullard is sitting on the chair but Paula tells him that it's the end of the road for him as well.

Brooke Barrettsmith is next. Simon tells her she hasn't made it. Nick Whitten is told by Randy that he's not going any further. Stephanie White isn't going any further either. So many no's early on leave the contestants shell shocked.

Crystal Stark is told that it was not unanimous but it was a no. Bobby Dillard is next and gets a no as well. Meanwhile Katharine McPhee is upset that Crystal Stark didn't make it. She is up next and is the first person to make it through and kisses all three of the judges on the lips. With the stress gone, she is ecstatic. Next up is Ace Young. There's no messing around with him. He is through and very happy about it.

Antonio Bridges heads up to see the judges next and isn't going through to the next round. Eugenia Littlejohn is also told no but she is so upset since she is 26 and thinks that that is the end of the road for her as she thinks her career is over cause she thinks she's already reached her peak.

Robert Bennett, Jr is up next and is through. Mandisa Hundley is next and is a little upset at Simon over his comments after the Chicago audition. She forgives him and they make up. Then, Simon says he's sorry but she is going to have to go through this all again. She is excited.

Before the contestants head up to see the judges they are given a moment to think about their American Idol journey - and yes - get even more nervous. The body language is great to watch.

Next in front of the judges is Melissa McGhee. Randy tells her she is through to the next round. Mark Adam Locklear wont be going any further. Lisa Tucker is told by Simon that he has always been a little unsure as to whether she would be able to handle the pressure of the competition due to her age. But she is through.

David Radford is the next to face the music and gets told he's through. Jose "Sway" Penala is next and gets a great birthday gift being told he is through. As is Elliott Yamin. The mouth of Brenna Gethers is next. Simon says that she could be difficult and hard to work with and will therefore welcome he to the top 24.

Brenna's arch enemy is up next and it was Marcy Smith finding out that she hadn't made it. The next four also found out they were packing their bags and heading home - Nicole Ortise, David Avfrom, William McCoy and Brianna Taylor.

Gedeon McKinney is next up the elevator and tells the judges that the next American Idol must have "it". Randy asks if he thinks he has "it" and Gedeon tells him that he does. Randy then asks him what he thinks he is going to say next. Gedeon replies "That I made it". Randy tells him yes and as he walks out, Simon jokingly says that he had better get some confidence before the next round.

Stephanie Scott finds herself in the judges room next and is through. Ayla Brown is next and Paula tells her that nothing seems to be difficult for her so she is through.

Stuck in the elevator is Chris Daughtry but after 6 minutes of aggrivated waiting, he makes it through. Rebecca O'Donohue has a split decision but she is going through to the next round.

The next two are from the Denver auditions. April Walsh is up first but she's not going any further. Heather Cox however, is. William "Bucky" Covington goes through to the next round as well. Patrick Hall says he's not as pretty as Ace, but he's through.

Kevin Covais is one of the more unexpected contestants but he makes it through and his parents are thrilled for him. Paris Bennett makes it through to the next round as well meaning that the remaining 3 girls will be sweating it out as there are only two left for the girls.

There are four places left and eight people going for them. The Brittenum Twins who have been an annoyance for the entire competition are revealed to have been booted out due to felonies. Old news which originally aired on the 18th of January.

Kellie Pickler learns her fate and once again is in tears as she has won over the judges. Outside she says to Ryan that she is going home... when America votes her out.

Taylor Hicks walks into the judges room playing his harmonica before learning his fate and whether or not Simon was right when he said at his audition that he wouldn't be put through to the final group. Paula tells him that he is through.

Two guys and two girls remain to fill one spot each. The girls are up first with Kinnik Sky and Megan Bobo. Megan isn't going through giving Kinnik the final spot on the girls top 12.

The two remaining guys are William Makar and Syd Harcourt. It must be nerve-racking to be the final two of the day. Randy gets the honor of telling William that he is making it through.

So that's it. The top twelve guys are: Ace Young, Robert Bennett, David Radford, Jose "Sway" Penala, Elliott Yamin, Gedeon McKinney, Chris Daughtry, Patrick Hall, Kevin Covais, William Makar, William "Bucky" Covington and Taylor Hicks.

The top twelve girls are: Katharine McPhee, Mandisa Hundley, Melissa McGhee, Lisa Tucker, Brenna Gethers, Stephanie Scott, Ayla Brown, Rebecca O'Donohue, Heather Cox, Paris Bennett, Kellie Pickler and Kinnik Sky.