'American Idol's' Chris Medina to Appear on 'The Tonight Show' Friday

The judges on 'American Idol' routinely crush the hopes and dreams of aspiring singers, but last night it all proved too much for Jennifer Lopez as she broke down in tears after sending home early favorite Chris Medina.

But although Medina's 'Idol' journey is over, his TV one isn't. It's been announced that Jay Leno has won the battle of the talk show guest bookers, and Medina will perform on 'The Tonight Show With Jay Leno' Friday.

Rickey Minor and The Tonight Show Band will accompany Medina on "What Are Words" -- a song inspired by Medina's love story. The track, which was written and produced by Rodney Jerkins, will be available online later today.

Medina was the breakout star of this season's 'Idol' auditions, when he performed an emotional rendition of Irish band The Script's 'Breakeven' for his fiancée Juliana Ramos. She was left brain-damaged after a horrific car crash in 2009, just months before they were due to wed, and Medina is now her primary caregiver.

His vocal performance and heartbreaking story captured the captured the hearts of viewers and 'Idol' judges but, in a highly emotional moment, Medina was eliminated on last night's episode, which ended his amazing journey on the popular singing competition.

'American Idol' airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8PM ET on FOX.

'The Tonight Show With Jay Leno' airs Weeknights, 11:35PM ET on NBC.