American Idol eliminated Ben Briley during Thursday night's live results show on Fox, determining the thirteenth season's Top 10 finalists.

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Ben, a 24-year-old from Gallatin, TN, became the third finalist sent home from American Idol's thirteenth season after he received the fewest home viewer votes cast following Wednesday night's performance show, which featured the Top 11 finalists performing songs from the cinema, paying a tribute to Hollywood. The songs had to have been written for a film or heavily featured in a movie.

"I found somebody who changed my life and pushed me in that right direction and knew that I could do this. I'm really excited about my hometown getting to see me and getting to see what I can do. Above all, I'm excited about the opportunity. I believe that I'm good enough where I can make a career in music and this show is a launching pad to do that," Ben said in a video montage that played following his ouster.

Ben's elimination became official after Idol judge Keith Urban announced the show's judges were not going to prevent his departure by using "The Judges' Save," which Keith and fellow judges Jennifer Lopez and Harry Connick Jr. can only use once during the finals to prevent the elimination of a finalist whom America had voted out of the competition during a weekly performance round.

The decision would have to be unanimous amongst the judges to utilize the special save, which expires at the Top 6.

After discussing Ben's fate during his survival performance of "Stars" by Grace Potter Harry & The Nocturnals, Keith revealed the panel's decision to American Idol host Ryan Seacrest.

"Ryan, um, Ben, we love your voice. We've loved it since Day 1, but what we've got to see is this artistic growth and we don't collectively feel like we've necessarily seen that as much as we wished we had at this stage. But we love you man, and unfortunately, we can't use that 'save' for you tonight," Keith announced.

Ben had received the most negative reviews of all the contestants from the judges following his performance of "Bennie and the Jets" by Elton John on Wednesday's performance show.

"I am a little confused because you were so country last week and this week it's like Elton John. I don't know, I'm trying to figure it out, and I think you're trying to figure it out too. But that's part of the competition. I thought it was a good vocal performance. I don't think it suited who you are even though it's a song that you grew up with. I'm not sure about that," Jennifer explained to him.

"The thing about Elton, if you're going to play that tune -- not that you have to imitate it the way Elton played it -- but he really pounded the piano, and I feel like you not only needed to pound the piano, but it felt like a lackadaisical walk through the song. It didn't feel like it had a purpose to me, like it was sort of pointless," Harry told the artist.

"And the other thing that is always kind of interesting to me when you sing is, I never know if we've really heard the real Ben. There seems to be a slight affectation to your voice, a very throaty sound. I'm just looking forward to the week when we can hear you and it doesn't sound like a play or something. It's hard to describe. Confused is the word that comes to mind."

"I'm a little confused by it too," Keith agreed. "What I'm struggling with, Ben, is what I loved about you in the audition city -- and we all did -- was this easy, authenticity about your performance and the way you sang. It was easy, it was effortless, it was believable. And now it seems to have all these things around it that don't feel authentic. And I'm just wondering who you are as an artist. I'm not sure yet."

"I think he's finding [out] and that's okay," Jennifer noted.

Prior to Ben's elimination, Majesty Rose, a 21-year-old from Goldsboro, NC, and Sam Woolf, a 17-year-old from Bradenton, FL, were revealed to be the other two members of this week's bottom three vote-getters. Only 0.07% of the votes separated Majesty from Ben.

In addition to Majesty and Sam, the remaining Top 10 Idol finalists are: Jena Irene, M.K. Nobilette, Malaya Watson, Jessica Meuse, C.J. Harris, Caleb Johnson, Alex Preston, and Dexter Roberts. They have all earned a spot in American Idol's summer tour this year.

During Thursday night's broadcast, Ryan revealed over 72 million votes were cast for the finalists this week and over six billion votes have been cast since the first season of American Idol. Harry also took the stage and performed two songs he wrote and arranged himself.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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