North Richland Hills' Alex Lambert is an American Idol semifinalist this season, the show revealed Wednesday night, making him the third contestant this year with Tarrant County ties.

Lambert, who is not related to last year's runner-up, Adam Lambert, joins Casey James of Fort Worth and Todrick Hall of Arlington among the top 24 contestants, who will begin performing in front of a live audience in next week's episodes.

Twelve female contestants will perform Tuesday, and 12 men will perform Wednesday.

On this week's episodes, Idol broke with tradition by not revealing the top 24 in one night, instead announcing seven semifinalists Tuesday and the rest Wednesday.

Lambert was shown Tuesday performing Jason Mraz's I'm Yours accompanying himself on ukulele, but his fate wasn't announced till Wednesday.

And it came without much fanfare: While many other contestants were shown stewing in front of judges pushing dramatic pauses to the limit, Lambert was part of a quick montage of contestants receiving good news. James' and Hall's entries into the top 24 were announced Tuesday.

Another contestant with Dallas-Fort Worth connections, Tim Urban of Duncanville, also made the top 24.

American Idol next airs at 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday on KDFW/Channel 4.

ROBERT PHILPOT, 817-390-7872

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