Syesha Goes Home; The Davids Advance to Finale

America voted, and they chose to send the Davids -- DAVID ARCHULETA and DAVID COOK -- to next week's "American Idol" finale -- which meant the end of the competion for SYESHA MERCADO.

The naturally poised young woman took the news with her characteristic good humor, singing her final song, ALICIA KEYS' "If I Ain't Got You" with a cheerful smile on her face.

She told the crowd, "There [are] too many words, I don't know what to say, I just want to say thank you. Thank you."

Before the final two were announced, judge PAULA ABDUL told David, David and Syesha: "Life is about moments and if you're lucky enough you create ones that'll last forever … if you're really, really lucky the world will watch, and the world's going to remember every single one of you."

Judge SIMON COWELL said, "I like these three, and if it's the final I'm hoping for, we're going to have a real humdinger next week."

The night's show also included a performance by former "Idol" winner FANTASIA BARRINO, as well as segments on hometown celebrations for the three finalists.

Following the results show, a coin toss was held to determine the order of next week's performances. David Archuleta won and chose to sing second on next Tuesday's competion show, leaving David Cook to start the finals.

Published 5/15/08 by