Season 8 finalist Alexis Grace celebrated her 23rd birthday on Saturday. Her eleventh place ouster shocked American Idol viewers across the country, as the Memphis mom had been an early favorite.

Although Alexis was part of a talented group of semifinalists, her performance of Aretha Franklin’s “I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You)” showed that the pint-sized singer had soul. She was chosen to be a Season 8 finalist alongside Michael Sarver and Danny Gokey. During the Top 13’s Michael Jackson week, Alexis closed the night with an astounding rendition of “Dirty Diana.”

Despite coming in eleventh and missing out on the Idols LIVE 2009 tour, Alexis was a part of American Stars in Concert 2009 and the holiday version of that same tour with fellow Season 8 pal Michael, Season 7’s David Hernandez, and Season 6’s Gina Glocksen. Alexis was on the scene at Season 9 auditions in Atlanta and Dallas where she interviewed some interesting, talented, and wild hopefuls. She served as the Idol expert on Memphis radio station Q107.5. As of May 2010, LA Times rated her 54th in their Idol power rankings.

Happy Birthday, Alexis!

Check out photos of Alexis Grace performing on Season 8 of Idol.