Southampton - If for some reason you have not been watching "American Idol" this season (its 10th) then you have definitely missed out on some incredibly talented youngsters who have exhibited style, grace, humor, maturity - and, of course, some amazing vocals and musical abilities.

The two remaining contestants, Lauren Alaina (16), and Scotty McCreery (17) are the youngest finalists in the show's history. Haley Reinhart (20) was voted off Thursday evening. Her exit song "Bennie and the Jets" by Sir Elton John was memorable in that it was obvious this young lady did not think she would be leaving, and managed to announce at the end of her performance "that this is not over," however, a record breaking 95 million voters decided it was, in fact, time for Haley and her growl to move on down the road.

Thursday's show included guest performances by three young Italian opera singers, Il Volo, whose vocals can only be described as breath-taking, and who left all three 'Idol' contestants twitching in their seats a bit, as their jaw dropping vocals resonated throughout the venue. As for Nicole Scherzinger accompanied by 50 cent, well, can we all please vote now that any and all future guest female performers on 'Idol' be required to put some clothes on, tone down the sexual innuendos, shut off the synthesizers and hair blowing wind machines, actually learn to carry a tune - and hopefully all future female contestants will be inspired enough to keep it as real as Lauren has throughout this difficult competition. Flash does not last - talent does - and week after week the audience has had to watch a parade of beauties do nothing more than flaunt that beauty in the hopes that somebody might actually be as impressed with their vocals as much as they might be with the heel size of their stilettos.

All three contestants paid a visit to their hometowns, Georgia (Alaina), North Carolina (McCreery) and Illinois (Reinhart), where each were feted by local citizens, politicans, friends and family. A shocked Alaina witnessed the devastation that the recent storms caused in her area, and was overcome with emotion.

In the semi-finals on Wednesday, each of the three were instructed to perform three songs, (1) their own choice, (2) a song chosen by season mentor and record producer Jimmy Iovine, and (3) a song chosen by the judges, including Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez, and Randy Jackson. Guest mentor this week, Beyoncé offered some insightful advice, but all three contestants, beyond appearing slightly star struck, did not seem to focus on much of what she had to say. A screening of Beyoncé's new single "Run the Word, (Girls)" was uncomfortably out of place in this forum.

Scotty went first on Wednesday with his choice of Lonestar's "Amazed." Beyoncé expressed some concern about the country crooner's ability to hit the higher register but this consistently focused vocalist gave it his all - although not his best performance, he did hold off and reached that higher register at the end of the song. Tyler commented that he heard perhaps a bit of "anger" in his modulation (which Scotty attributed to his emotions getting the best of him), while Lopez applauded his vibrato, and Jackson thought it was "pitchy" at times.

Lauren hit the stage next, and after Beyoncé cautioned that she hoped she would "have fun and loosen up" Lauren appeared to do just that with her choice of "Wild One" by Faith Hill. All three judges approved of her song choice, and Tyler commented "You are so ready for this."

Haley closed out the first round with Led Zeppelin's "What Is and What Should Never Be." Beyoncé did express her admiration in her song choice as showing "conviction and risk taking," but this was indeed an odd choice. Accompanied by her father - who certainly knows his way around a bass guitar - Haley's recent tenseness and terseness with the judges may have gotten the best of her as she marched down in front of them, around them and then, unfortunately, stumbled on the steps and fell en route back to the stage. Jackson loved the song choice and commented "That's not a song for the weak of heart," and enthused that it was one of her "best performances ever." Tyler offered "It's not about how many times you fall, but how many times you get back up."

When host Ryan Seacrest pressed the judges on who won the first round they all agreed Haley was victorious.

Iovine's pick of "Are You Gonna Kiss Me or Not?" by Thompson Square for Scotty's second performance was a great choice. Scotty took to the stage with his guitar, and showed that likeable personality by delivering a solidly enjoyable performance. The judges collectively approved of Iovine's choice, as well as his performance. Lopez commented that he was "in the zone and very comfortable in his own skin." She then requested that he go back to his audition 'Idol' look and shave his head. Jackson compared him to Garth Brooks, which should thrill this emerging country star.

Lauren appeared to be having a wardrobe snafu headed into round two, and was perhaps preoccupied as she fumbled a bit in the middle of her Iovine choice of "If I Die Young" by the band Perry. Modulating to a higher key, Lauren appeared to be a bit lost - recovering quickly - this was unfortunately not one of her best performances. Nerves have and are continuing to plague this extraordinary vocalist. The judges were not too harsh on her for the error, however, it did not go unnoticed.

Haley followed Lauren with Fleetwood Mac's "Rhiannon," after Iovine correctly linked Stevie Nicks' voice to what Haley has shown week after week. Good match-up but bad song choice. This is a difficult song and Haley seemed to fumble not only with the lyrics (it is not Brianna) - she didn't do herself or the song any favors. The judges thought the performance was a bit somber.

At the end of round two, Tyler gave it to Lauren, and Lopez and Jackson gave it to Scotty.

Round three, the judges chose "She Believes in Me" by Kenny Rogers for Scotty. Perhaps hoping to push him a bit to push his voice, it was a 'nice' performance but didn't touch what he has shown he can do week after week, although Lopez commented "We all wanted to see if you could hit that big chorus, for the first time. I guess you showed us." It should be noted that Scotty's dad hit those low notes when he sang "lock them doors and turn the lights down" surprising everyone when Seacrest asked him to comment on how proud he was of his son - Scotty has certainly learned some licks from his father.

Next up, the judges chose Lee Ann Womack's "I Hope You Dance," for Lauren, and indeed she should have been doing a two-step after her fantastic performance. Lopez gave her the round before Haley even performed. Lauren, in a lovely full length gown, showed a glimpse of the country diva she is sure to become - although this Georgia peach can sing anything.

Haley may have received a bit of 'pay-back' from the judges given their choice of Alanis Morissette's "You Oughta Know" which required her to change some of the lyrics due to the subject matter of the song, and which she was obviously struggling with vocally. Not a great performance by Haley - and it did indeed cost her dearly with elimination on Thursday.

However, at the end of the third round, Tyler gave it to Haley, while Jackson and Lopez gave it to Lauren.

Next week's final will be intense, as both Scotty and Lauren are deserving to be the next "American Idol," and both have certainly proven their mettle with talent, poise, and good old fashion know how - as in they both really, really know how to sing.

Who is my Choice? Who is Your Choice? Who is America's Choice? Post a comment and let us know who you are cheering for.

Read our other 'Idol' articles here: "American Idol: Hey, It's Show Business"; "American Idol: Down To Four", and "American Idol: Contestants Feel The Heat", and "American Idol: Bring It To Win It", and "American Idol: This Is Competition" and "American Idol: A Surprising Upset", and "American Idol Rocks On", and "This Is American Idol Season 10".