ANOOP DESAI AND LIL ROUNDS ARE ELIMINATED FROM THE “AMERICAN IDOL” COMPETITION

TOP 5 FINALISTS TO PERFORM “RAT PACK” STANDARDS TUESDAY, APRIL 28, ON FOX

Season Five Winner Taylor Hicks Returns to the IDOL Stage and Top 4 Finalists Revealed Wednesday, April 29

Due to last week’s history-making judges’ save, two finalists – Anoop Desai and Lil Rounds – were eliminated last night from AMERICAN IDOL after receiving the fewest of America’s more than 45 million votes. On Tuesday’s show, finalists performed songs of the Disco era, and Desai, 22, from Chapel Hill, NC, sang “Dim All The Lights” by Donna Summer, while Rounds, 24, from Memphis, TN, performed “I’m Every Woman” by Chaka Khan.

Next week, the Top 5 finalists – Kris Allen, Matt Giraud, Danny Gokey, Allison Iraheta and Adam Lambert – take the stage again Tuesday, April 28 (8:00-9:01 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) to perform standards made famous by members of the original Rat Pack, a group of legendary performers that included Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jr.

Tune in the following night Wednesday, April 29 (9:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) to find out which finalist will be sent home. Also, Taylor Hicks returns to the IDOL stage to perform “Seven Mile Breakdown,” the latest single from his album, “The Distance.”

Since winning the fifth season of AMERICAN IDOL, Hicks has released his platinum-certified debut album, toured throughout Asia and performed with legendary musical acts such as The Allman Brothers, Willie Nelson and Earth, Wind & Fire. The Alabama native made his Broadway debut in 2008, and can currently be seen starring in the national tour of “Grease.”

The AMERICAN IDOL Top 5 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

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

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.

Source: FOX Press Release