Jennifer Lopez Talks Emotional ‘Idol’ Wild Card Choice & Top 13: This Group Is ‘Even Stronger’ Than Last Season’s

The Top 25 lost 12 contestants last night as “American Idol” whittled the pool down to the Top 13, and judge Jennifer Lopez is satisfied with this season’s finalists.

“I think they’re amazing,” Jennifer told Access Hollywood of the Top 13 at the Idol Finalist Party in Los Angeles on Thursday. “I was looking at the Top 10, just like I said when we were on the show, and it’s just like, it’s going to be a real battle because each one of them is capable of winning.

“I really feel and believe that,” she added.

While last season’s finalists were strong in their own right, J.Lo says Season 11 holds even more promise.

“It’s funny — last year we had a great season,” she told Access. “But, I think singer for singer, we have [an] even stronger [group] than last year.”

A for choosing Florida native Jeremy Rosado as her wild card pick, Jennifer – who was moved to tears by his performance — said she’s confident she made the right decision.

“Oh my God, it was so moving,” she said of Jeremy’s performance of Carrie Underwood’s “I Know You Won’t.” “All of them want it so bad and you can feel their emotion and you can feel their heart right there on their sleeve. You see who can rise to the top and who can do it and it was just really beautiful.”

“American Idol” returns Tuesday at 8/7c on FOX.