It was one of the most painful cuts of the season, as America decided which three contestants would get a chance to go home as a hero and who was leaving the competition.

First, the Top 4 opened the show with a performance of The Mamas & the Papas' "California Dreamin.'" They also debuted their new Ford music video, set to Jennifer Lopez's song, "Feeling So Good." Then, it was time for Jimmy to critique Wednesday night's performances.

Phillip sang on Wednesday CCR's "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?," and Steven said that Phillip is "living proof that the road to success is always under construction." Randy thought it "started off a little rough," but by the first chorus, his "whole vibe lightened up . . . it was sensational from that moment on out."

Jimmy said in choosing to sing acoustic guitar song WITHOUT playing acoustic guitar, it was the beginning of Phillip "coming into his own — he's hearing his voice in his head, and that's a really magical thing to watch."

For his second song, Phillip chose Damien Rice's "Volcano," and Steven said it's "the kind of song I could listen to with headphones over and over and over. Randy agreed that it was one of Phillip's "best performances on the whole season."

Jimmy was also blown away. "Phillip finally delivered on the promise that we've been looking for all year," he said. "He sang that song like he wrote it, understood it. It all came together, it was all magnificent. If I had seen that in a club, I'd sign him right there."

On performance night, Hollie sang Journey's "Faithfully," and Randy said she was "peaking at the right time in this competition." Steven added, "I've watched you blossom . . . your choice of song tonight was over-the-top again. Beautiful."

As for Jimmy, he said all the things that concern him about Hollie's singing — the over-singing, over-drama — actually aided her in this song. "It's a very dramatic song and very over-the-top. This kinda worked for her. I could totally understand why Randy thought she was peaking at exactly the right time," he said.

Unfortunately, he added, she was "peaking in the wrong direction." When Hollie sang Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me," Jennifer said that the emotion of the song "got the better" of her. Randy added, "There were no moments for me. To me, that was the wrong song at the wrong time."

Jimmy thought Hollie blew it. "I assumed she understood the core of the song," he said. "Evidently, she did not. She did not have the personal or professional experience to take on this song. When the chorus came on, she hit the opera button, at that moment I felt she crashed and burned and lost out to the other three singers."

After Season 7 winner David Cook performed his new single, "The Last Song I'll Write for You," it was time for Joshua's critique.

Joshua sang Josh Groban's "You Raise Me Up" on Wednesday, dedicating it to his father (the whole family overcame a fear of flying for Joshua's Idol journey). "It was another great performance for you — I love the drama," Jennifer told him. Steven added, "I'm really glad you got on that plane. You sang your little tush off again."

Jimmy, however, didn't think that Joshua made the right choices. "With California songs, Joshua had the opportunity to show us a different side of his many talents," he said. "Instead, he chose the full glorious gospel rendition, and it didn't work. He can't use that trick every time with that every song. 'You Raise Me Up' let him down."

For his second song, Joshua sang James Brown's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World," and Steven said, "Neither man nor woman has ever sang that good with that much compassion on this show, ever."

Jimmy also thought it was something special. "James Brown and Joshua Ledet came together last night and created a piece of magic very rarely seen on the American Idol stage. The last third of the song sounded like he was speaking in tongues," he said. "I've never seen that on American Idol. It was so captivating, I want to see it again and again and again, and that's the first time this year I felt that way."

Jessica had performed Etta James' "Steal Away," and Jennifer said, "When I think of all the great female singers out there who would be your contemporaries, you're just one of the best." Randy added, "Your vocals are ridiculous. You can sing anything. That girl right there could sing the phone book! Amazing again."

But Jimmy had some issues with the performance, asking, "Was impersonating a great older jazz blues singer a good idea? No. She ended up going back to that trick of hers of growling. After a while, the trick gets old."

For her second song, Jessica sang the "Dreamgirls" hit, Jennifer Holliday's "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going." The judges loved it. "Another winning performance, just over-the-top. Tell me how you really feel!" Steven joked. "You are phenomenal," Randy added.

Jimmy agreed. "For this, she brought all her artillery in the right proportions — the growl, power dynamic, everything she chose was flawless. She murdered it," he said.

The contestants sat tight on the couch while Jennifer Lopez performed her sexy #1 hit, "Dance Again," and then it was time for the results. After nearly 70 million votes were cast, Jessica, Joshua, and Phillip were in the Top 3. That meant, of course, that we had to say goodbye to Hollie Cavanagh.

After we looked back at Hollie's Idol journey (she first tried out in Season 10), she reprised her audition song, Miley Cyrus' "The Climb." The judges gave her a standing ovation, and Jennifer and Joshua were moved to tears. "Being on the show has given me confidence, and I believe so much more in myself," she said in her farewell video. "It's perfect."

Even though the hometown heroes have been selected, anything can happen in the next two weeks. "This year, I haven't got a clue who's gonna get into the final," Jimmy said.