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THREE SONGS, THREE SINGERS, ONE IDOL!

ALEX PRESTON, CALEB JOHNSON AND JENA IRENE ARE ONE WEEK CLOSER TO HAVING THEIR DREAMS BECOME REALITY ON "AMERICAN IDOL XIII"

JESSICA MEUSE IS ELIMINATED

SHOWDOWN CONTINUES AS TOP THREE FINALISTS PERFORM ON A LANDMARK 500TH EPISODE OF "AMERICAN IDOL" WEDNESDAY, MAY 14, ON FOX

"AMERICAN IDOL" SEASON 10 WINNER SCOTTY McCREERY TO PERFORM AND TOP TWO FINALISTS REVEALED ON SPECIAL ONE-HOUR RESULTS SHOW THURSDAY, MAY 15

Two-Night Season Finale from NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE on Tuesday, May 20 and Wednesday, May 21

The hopefuls have been narrowed down to three amazing singers - Alex Preston, Caleb Johnson and Jena Irene - on AMERICAN IDOL XIII. Their countless hours of practice, singing and dreaming will come to a head when the next "American Idol" is finally crowned in two weeks, but not before all three travel back to their hometowns, to see family, friends and fans. Tonight, host Ryan Seacrest revealed that Jessica Meuse, 23, from Slapout, AL, received the least number of votes and was sent home.

With only two performance shows left in the season, tune in next week to catch a very special 500th episode of AMERICAN IDOL on Wednesday, May 14 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), when the Top Three return to their hometowns and find out what songs the judges and mentor Randy Jackson have chosen for them to perform. Plus, in a new twist, each contestant's hometown fans will select their favorite song that the finalist has performed this season as the third and final song that Alex, Caleb and Jena must perform in the "Judges' Choice," "Randy's Choice" and "Hometown's Choice"-themed performance show.

Here's what the Top Three had to say about going back to their hometowns:

Alex: "Of course, I'm incredibly excited to see my family and friends, but I'm also looking forward to hitting the studio and jamming...and getting a buffalo chicken calzone from The Pasta Loft!"

Caleb: "I can't wait to see all of the people who have supported me throughout this whole process. I'm also excited to see the Blue Ridge Mountains again...and eat some BBQ!"

Jena: "After seeing my family and friends, I want to go back to my old job and eat a Coney Dog! I'm also excited to catch up on all of the high school drama that I've been missing out on. Being a senior, I've missed Prom and spring break, so I'm excited to get filled in on the gossip!"

Don't miss the special one-hour live results show the following night, Thursday, May 15 (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), when the Top Two finalists, who will battle it out in the grand finale, are revealed. Plus, AMERICAN IDOL Season 10 winner and one of country music's hottest singers, Scotty McCreery, will return to the IDOL stage and perform his new song, "Feelin' It," off of his album, "See You Tonight."

In two weeks, someone's life will change forever as the Top Two finalists compete one last time from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE in downtown Los Angeles during the AMERICAN IDOL XIII two-day finale, Tuesday, May 20 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) and Wednesday, May 21 (8:00-10:06 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed).

Viewers at home continue to have five ways to vote for their favorite singer, including voting via Google Search when the IDOL vote window opens at the top of the show, by searching for IDOL-related terms. Fans are able to vote immediately after their favorites perform. After casting their votes, fans have the opportunity to share their votes on Google+, follow contestants, join community conversations or participate in Google Hangouts about the show. Viewers can also vote online at AmericanIdol.com; via the AMERICAN IDOL App; via text messaging; and via toll-free calling.

AMERICAN IDOL XIII is produced by FremantleMedia North America and 19 Entertainment, a division of CORE Media Group. The series was created by Simon Fuller and is executive produced by Simon Fuller, Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Trish Kinane, Per Blankens, Jesse Ignjatovic and Evan Prager. Louis J. Horvitz is director and Rickey Minor is musical director.

"Like" AMERICAN IDOL on Facebook at facebook.com/AmericanIdol. Follow the series on Twitter @AmericanIdol and join the discussion using #idol. See photos and videos on Instagram by following @AmericanIdol. Download the AMERICAN IDOL app for iOS devices from the App StoreSM; and for Android devices at Google PlayTM Store.** Data rates may apply for app download and usage.