A peek at "American Idol's" homecoming show
(CBS) Tonight's the night that "America Idol" will follow the three semi-finalists to the towns they grew up in.
The designated mayors of each town got a text message detailing which song the judges have chosen for the semi-finalists to sing in tonight's show.
Pictures: "American Idol" Season 10
The homecoming episode is an "American Idol" tradition in which the three semi-finalists return to their hometowns and treat the locals to a welcoming parade and a concert of songs they performed on this season's "American Idol." The homecoming episode is considered a high point in the season since the singers get a taste of the real world outside of the "American Idol" studio.
While 17-year-old Scotty McCreery visited his hometown of Garner, N.C., 16-year-old Lauren Alaina was in Rossville, Ga., and Haley Reinhart, 20, returned to Wheeling, Ill.
According to the Examiner, McCreery arrived in Garner on Saturday to open arms and crying teens. His busy day included a visit to the high-school he currently attends, a concert and a Wolfpack baseball game.
His visit to his high school, Garner High School, was supposedly an emotional one. The high school baseball star reportedly cried upon seeing his friends and classmates, saying, "I love you guys so much." He later performed several songs at Lake Benson Park with a surprise appearance by American country music singer Josh Turner
Lauren Alaina's trip home was also an emotional one, especially after she saw the tragic aftermath of the May 4 tornadoes near her town of Rossville. According to People magazine, Alaina began crying upon hearing a survivor's story. Her grand welcoming parade was in Chattanooga, Tenn., where she paid tribute to the victims of the recent tornadoes.
According to MTV.com, Alain also visited her old high school, Fort Oglethorpe Lakeview High School. This was followed by a visit to tornado-ravaged Ringgold, Ga., to lend her support.
Reinhart's visit was not as emotional but she still made an impact Her day started with a sponsor stop at the AT&T store. After holding back from requests to sing a song, she went to her old high school, Wheeling High school followed by a visit to Wheeling Community College.
The big event was held at Arlington Park where Reinhart sang alongside her musician parents, Harry and Patti.
According to the Times Free Press, the judges' choices for the three singers are as follows: McCreery will sing "She Believes in Me" by Kenny Rodgers, Alaina will perform "I hope you Dance" by Lee Ann Womack and Reinhart will do "You Oughta Know" by Alanis Morissette.
In the meantime, past "American Idol" favorite Chris Medina wasn't invited to the season 10 finale. On Tuesday, May 17, the singer tweeted, "Just found out I will not be at the finale for #AmericanIdol sad and disappointed." The Examiner reports that Medina was also told he couldn't get a seat in the audience when he asked.