Friday, April 6, 2012

DeAndre Brackensick shown the door on "American Idol"


DeAndre Brackensick, a curly-haired competitor adored by judge Jennifer Lopez, on Thursday became the third challenger booted from "American Idol," leaving seven of the original 10 finalists residual on the top-rated TV singing contest.

Brackensick received a hug from Lopez previous to exiting the stage. The pop superstar exposed she had voted to use the "save" chosen to the judges, but fellow panelists Randy Jackson and Steven Tyler had not decided with her.

The "save" allows a judge to overrule viewers votes and stay a singer on the show. It will expire when the program narrow to five final contestants later this season.
Brackensick was let go after his performance of "I Like It" by 1980s relatives singers DeBarge left audiences and judges wanting on Wednesday's singing episode. Contestant adviser Jimmy Iovine criticized the effort as the most horrible among the show's male performers and said Brackensick "needs to come out and produce at a much faster pace."

This week on "Idol," audiences judged contestants based on their treatment of songs from the 1980s, which they sang on Wednesday. The performances also landed Hollie Cavanagh and Elise Testone between the bottom three with Cavanagh's version of "What a Feeling" and Testone's "I Want To Know What Love Is"

Highlights of Thursday's episode contained a visit from Season 5 challenger Kelly Pickler, who sang "Where's Tammy Wynnette," as well as boy band The Wanted, which performed "Glad You Came."

"Idol" first aired on Fox in 2002, and has launched the careers of singers Kelly Clarkson, Adam Lambert and Jennifer Hudson, between others. Currently in its 11th season, the show continues to be the most watched reality TV show in America, however it has received rigid competition from "The Voice" current year.

Audiences vote for their favorite performers by phone and text message every week as contestants are challenged by a diversity of musical styles. The winning competitor receives a recording contract. This season's winner will be decided in May.