MINNEAPOLIS — Chris Tungseth, the husky construction worker with the angelic voice, was cut from “American Idol,” but not before making history.

The Fergus Falls resident was the first true Minnesotan to make it to the top five of the long-running show. The only time someone from the Upper Midwest took home the crown was in 2018, when Iowa’s Maddie Poppe won it all.

In the end, Tungseth, 27, couldn’t gather more votes than competitors with bigger voices, more range and snazzier stage presence. But his sweetness shined through.

At the end of the two-hour live episode, he was the first one to hug Jordan McCullough, the last singer to learn that he had received enough viewers’ votes to make the top three. He’ll face Hannah Harper and Keyla Richardson in the May 11 final airing at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

The network will be filming hometown parades for the three finalists later this week. While Fergus Falls missed the chance to throw a nationally televised party, city leaders say they’ll still have some kind of celebration later this month.

During the latest episode, fans gathered at Outstate Brewing Company in Fergus Falls to root their neighbor on.

“I like his country crooniness,” said Becky Lacey, who grew up in Fergus Falls and went to the same high school as Tungseth. “He can sing the paint off the walls.”

While it would have been great fun to have Tungseth advance to the finals, it’s hard to argue with America’s choice. Here’s a break down of how the top five performed:

Chris Tungseth

The Minnesota crooner might have been nodding to his roots with the selection of Noah Kahan’s “Northern Attitude.” But while he nailed the vocals on that number and Garth Brooks’ “The Thunder Rolls,” he failed to show off much pop-idol sass. He was just too Minnesota nice. That being said, his “Thunder” collaboration with past “Idol” contender Bucky Covington was a showcase of outstanding manes that should play on a loop in every men’s hair salon.

Grade: B

Hannah Harper

The stay-at-home mom tried to shake up her wholesome image with a rendition of the sexually charged “Fever.” She still came across as more Sandra Dee than Peggy Lee. But maybe it’s that G-rated personality that has kept her alive this long. She showed vocal range in her second number, a duet with former contestant Kellie Pickler, something she hadn’t done enough of in past weeks. She’ll have to continue to take those kind of chances if she’s going to take the crown.

Grade: B+

Braden Rumfelt

He’s got the chops and looks of a pop star. What’s missing is the confidence. If you turned down the volume during his take on Teddy Swims’ “Lose Control,“ you’d think he was giving a power-point presentation. His discomfort on stage was most evident when he teamed up with former “Idol” contender Paris Bennett, who spent part of her childhood in Minnesota. The duo had great chemistry in the rehearsal footage and after their duet. But Rumfelt couldn’t match his partner’s energy in the actual duet.

Grade: B

Jordan McCullough

McCullough deserves front-runner status after two powerhouse performances, turning Leona Lewis’ “Footprints in the Sand” and Leon Russell’s “A Song For You” into gospel numbers that wouldn’t be out of place during Sunday services. He’s also taken the judges’ notes to heart, showing more and more expression as the competition has progressed. Judge Luke Bryan got it right when he proclaimed that McCullough is “one of the best singers we’ve ever had.”

Grade: A

Keyla Richardson

I had this engaging soul singer pegged as an early favorite − and there are still reasons to believe she could win it all. Her ability to scale an epic number like “Living For the City” with guest Taylor Hicks was remarkable. But her stage moves and vocals are anything but subtle. She might have to show she can be as tender as she is tough to become the 24th “American Idol.”

Grade: A-

Who went home: Tungseth, Rumfelt

Who deserved to go home: Tungseth, Rumfelt

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(Richard Tsong-Taatarii of the Minnesota Star Tribune contributed to this story.)

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