![Burnell Taylor is a 19-year-old kid from New Orleans. Since his audition for "American Idol" Burnell has lost 40 pounds. He is one of the favorites to win season 12.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/hash/6e/4e/6e4effd5b1a97d152b8f18ebb9b88b22.jpg?itok=3S5grMg3 "Burnell Taylor is a 19-year-old kid from New Orleans. Since his audition for "American Idol" Burnell has lost 40 pounds. He is one of the favorites to win season 12."){kind=small}
"American Idol" just finished up the sudden death rounds in Las Vegas. The judges made their final cuts on Feb. 28, 2013. There are now 10 boys and 10 girls left in the competition. By the end of next week only five boys and five girls will remain.
The audition rounds are finally over and the next step is for the top 20 idols to sing for votes. They will be split by gender once more. Ten boys will sing one night and 10 girls will sing on a different night. These shows are aired live and the audience must vote to keep their favorites in the competition.
"American Idol" will air three times next week. Ten idols will sing on Tuesday and the other 10 on Wednesday. Results are then revealed on Thursday night and 10 of the 20 American idols are sent home. After that big cut, only one idol will leave each week. The season finale is scheduled for May 16, 2013, which is early compared to past years.
All of the singers listed with a photo below are still in the competition. These 10 guys are officially half of "American Idol's" top 20.
The "American Idol" top 20 begin singing for America's votes next week. "American Idol" regularly airs every Wednesday and Thursday on FOX channel WAWS 30 in Jacksonville, Fla.
![Burnell Taylor is a 19-year-old kid from New Orleans. Since his audition for "American Idol" Burnell has lost 40 pounds. He is one of the favorites to win season 12.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/01/01/0101093da27cf1262d8da72b3fd17f87.jpg?itok=G3ExHm-D "Burnell Taylor is a 19-year-old kid from New Orleans. Since his audition for "American Idol" Burnell has lost 40 pounds. He is one of the favorites to win season 12.")
![Elijah Liu plays the guitar and is from Rowland Heights, Calif. He has only been singing for a year and a half. Elijah auditioned for "American Idol" last year. This year, Elijah auditioned in Long Beach, Calif.](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/profile_large/hash/90/f3/90f398969cfc936ef5ea22912f6a62d2.jpg?itok=tuQOcJKP "Elijah Liu plays the guitar and is from Rowland Heights, Calif. He has only been singing for a year and a half. Elijah auditioned for "American Idol" last year. This year, Elijah auditioned in Long Beach, Calif.")
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