Stefano Langone is in the final 13 of “American Idol.”

Judges Steven Tyler, Randy Jackson and Jennifer Lopez picked the former Bellevue College student as one of three wild-card contestants on Thursday night’s Fox show after viewers picked the top 10.

Langone, 21, sang a rendition of Smokie Norful’s ballad “I Need You Now” that impressed the judges after he was picked as one of six contestants to sing his way into one of three wild-card spots. Eleven contestants were eliminated Thursday night.

“You did really well in the moment,” Lopez said to Langone. “When you needed to come through, you came through baby.”

The graduate of Kentwood High School advances to the next elimination show March 9.

“You did it in such a way where you brought all of that stuff I heard in the beginning and made me fall in love with your voice to that song just now,” Tyler said.

Critics who analyze “American Idol” also enjoyed Langone’s performance.

“Stefano Langone looked like he was literally singing for his life because the performance he gave was outstanding, and if he had given it on Tuesday night he wouldn’t have had to worry about getting a wild card because America would have voted him in,” according to www.joesplaceblog.com. “Very impressive.”

Kent Reporter Courts, government reporter Steve Hunter can be reached at shunter@kentreporter.com or 253-872-6600, ext. 5052