JUDGES SAVE FINALIST FROM ELIMINATION FOR FIRST TIME IN “AMERICAN IDOL” HISTORY

MATT GIRAUD WILL CONTINUE IN COMPETITION AS TOP 7 FINALISTS PERFORM SONGS OF THE DISCO ERA TUESDAY, APRIL 21, ON FOX; TWO FINALISTS ELIMINATED WEDNESDAY, APRIL 22

Season Seven Runner-Up David Archuleta Returns to the IDOL Stage;

Disco Icons Harry Wayne “KC” Casey, Thelma Houston and Freda Payne to Perform on Next Week’s Elimination Show

Finalist Matt Giraud was saved from elimination tonight by the American Idol judges after he received the fewest of America’s over 36 million votes. This marks the first time in the eight seasons of IDOL that a finalist has been saved from America’s vote.

Next week, the Top 7 finalists – Kris Allen, Anoop Desai, Matt Giraud, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta, Adam Lambert and Lil Rounds – take the stage again Tuesday, April 21 (8:00-9:01 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) to perform songs of the Disco era.

Tune in the following night Wednesday, April 22 (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) to find out which two finalists will be sent home. Season Seven runner-up David Archuleta returns to the IDOL stage to perform his new single, “A Little Too Not Over You.” In addition, three Disco icons – Harry Wayne “KC” Casey (of KC and the Sunshine Band), Thelma Houston and Freda Payne – will perform a medley of their hits “Get Down Tonight,” “Don’t Leave Me this Way” and “Band of Gold.”

The AMERICAN IDOL Top 7 finalists are:

Kris Allen (23) – Currently lives in Conway, AR, but grew up in Jacksonville, Arkasas. Allen is a student at the University of Central Arkansas. He has been singing and playing the guitar since he was 13 years old. Yahoo Group - Kris Allen

Anoop Desai (22) – Born and raised in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Desai is working on his master’s degree at the University of North Carolina. During his undergraduate years, he was a member of the UNC Clef Hangers, an a cappella group. Yahoo Group- Anoop Desai

Matt Giraud (23) – Currently lives in Kalamazoo, MI, but grew up in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Giraud is a life-long resident of Michigan who graduated from Western Michigan University in 2007. He sings and plays piano in local clubs and hotels. Yahoo Group - Matt Giraud

Danny Gokey (28) – Raised and currently lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Gokey is the president and founder of a non-profit organization. In addition to singing, he plays the piano and loves salsa dancing. Yahoo Group - Danny Gokey

Allison Iraheta (16) – Currently lives in Downey, CA, but originally from Los Angeles, CA. Iraheta is a junior in high school who began singing at age 5. She also enjoys playing the guitar. Yahoo Group - Allison Iraheta

Adam Lambert (27) – Lambert grew up in San Diego, California but currently lives in Hollywood. He began singing at age 10, and has been involved with musical theater for the past eight years. Yahoo Group - Adam Lambert

Lil Rounds (24) – Rounds was raised and currently lives in Memphis, Tennessee, with her husband and three children. Music has always been a part of her life, and she began singing when she was 3 years old. Yahoo Group - Lil Rounds

AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America; and Ken Warwick, executive producer, FremantleMedia North America.

Visit americanidol.com for exclusive videos, interviews and photos of the finalists as well as special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.

-FOX-

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