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Ousted “American Idol” hopeful Chris Medina may be out of the running for a spot in the hit show’s Top 24, but the journey of the aspiring singer with an inspiring story is far from over, as he is heading to the “Tonight Show” Friday.

According to a report from TV Squad, Medina will perform his soon-to-be-released song for Jay Leno and his audience Friday. Rickey Minor and The Tonight Show Band will assist Medina on “What Are Words,” a song written and produced by Rodney Jerkins.

Medina  touched fans and judges alike, as he shared his tragic love story of his fiancée who was wounded in a debilitating car accident. Left brain damaged just months before their planned wedding, Medina took over round-the-clock care for Juliana Ramos.

His rendition of The Script’s “Breakeven” impressed all three celebrity judges, who sent him to Hollywood for a final round of competition. But it wasn’t enough to earn him a spot in the Top 24.

Judge Jennifer Lopez was moved to tears after informing Medina he would not be moving on. She praised Medina and encouraged him not to give up on his music.

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She later told fellow judges Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson, “I just feel like I didn’t tell him in the right way. I felt so bad. I don’t want to do this anymore … I can’t.”