And then there were two. In dramatic fashion last night, local American Idol contestant Angie Miller was sent home leaving Kree Harrison and Candice Glover to vie for the lucrative record contracts that come as the spoils of victory. Either Kree or Candice will be the first woman to win the reality show singing contest since season six.

Hailing from Beverly, Massachusetts, 19-year old Angie Miller’s elimination came as a shock to most viewers as her “commercial/teen appeal” was expected to keep her at least in the final two. On May 4, Angie visited Bev-town and was thrown an impromptu homecoming parade in a supportive response to her making it to the top three.

Kree Harrison, a Texas native, initially thought host Ryan Seacrest misread the results. She jested in her backstage interview, “I was so happy and shocked at the same time. I feel like we all deserve to win this. But it’s just America’s vote. Wow, I’m just humbled and feel amazing all at the same time.”

South Carolinian Candice Glover was just as excited, saying “When I heard my name, I said, ‘Oh my gosh,American Idol finale.’ Everything that I’ve been through on this show suddenly started to play back in my mind, like being here in Season 9, Season 11 and then now in the Top 2 in Season 12. That is absolutely amazing. Oh my gosh, I can’t tell you how excited I am.”

Congratulations to the two finalists and to Angie Miller for giving it the ol’ Massachusetts try. Having grown up next to Beverly and frequented many of its dilapidated dives, I’m just hoping Angie doesn’t take this loss too hard and start hanging out at those places. Though if my alcohol-tainted memory serves correctly, The Pickled Onion hosts a mean karaoke night. Either way, cheers to you Angie.

Prediction time. Who is going to be this season’s American Idol?