American Idol has finally lost a male finalist.
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After ousting five-straight female finalists, eliminated Paul McDonald and determined its tenth-season Top 7 finalists during Thursday night's live results show broadcast on Fox.
McDonald, a 26-year-old from Huntsville, AL who currently resides in Nashville, TN, became the sixth finalist and first male finalist sent home from American Idol's tenth season after he received the fewest home viewer votes following Wednesday night's performance show, which featured the Top 8 finalists performing songs from the movies.
"You've made such an amazing impact on this show, man. You really have," Idol host Ryan Seacrest told McDonald.
"Thank you. It's been fun. It's been a good time so far -- a good ride -- It's been fun," McDonald replied.
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"I wake up in the morning and I go to sleep at night bleeding Rock and Roll music and I'm worn. I've paid some dues. I hope [America] sees me for what I do and I hope they dig it... It doesn't feel real. I'm super lucky and so thankful that you guys have brought me this far," McDonald said during a video montage that followed his ouster.
Prior to McDonald's exit, Haley Reinhart, a 20-year-old from Wheeling, IL, and Stefano Langone, a 21-year-old from Kent, WA, were revealed by Seacrest to be the other two members of this week's bottom three vote-getters.
McDonald -- who was one of the 10 finalists voted into the season's Top 13 finalists by home viewers -- had received very positive feedback from Idol judges Jennifer Lopez, Steven Tyler and Randy Jackson following his performance of Bob Seeger's "Old Time Rock n' Roll" from the movie Risky Business on Wednesday's show.
"First of all, I want to borrow that suit when we go back on tour. You know, I love your crazy wild abandon, man, and how that transcends to an audience. That's the secret right there, but what you get back from the audience says it all. I like it. I like it," Tyler told McDonald.
"Well, I'll tell you what man. America, you just witnessed the first number at the Paul McDonald concert! Dude, you're doing it hard up there and I like the garb -- the outfit with the whole Porter Wagoner kind of throw back look -- Dude, I love it, man! I love how you are just not a typical singer. You are definitely an artist. So, I love that Paul! Good on you. Good on you!" Jackson added.
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In addition to Reinhart and Langone, Casey Abrams, Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Jacob Lusk, and Scotty McCreery also still remain in the running for American Idol's tenth-season title.
According to Seacrest, over 53 million home-viewer votes were cast following Wednesday night's performance show.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski