First guy to go! American Idol rocker Paul McDonald ends women's losing streak leaving Jennifer Lopez close to tears

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Sent packing: Rocker Paul McDonald was the first male to be voted off of this season's American Idol on tonight's live show and was given the news by host Ryan Seacrest


Rocker Paul McDonald's dreams of stardom were cut short tonight after he was knocked out of American Idol - the first male in the top 13 to get the boot.

Before leaving the stage, the 25-year-old, from Nashville, sang Maggie May one last time at the special request of judge Jennifer Lopez who was close to tears at his exit.

'Let's not be sad about this,' the latest cast-off said as he got the crowd to its feet. 'It's been good fun, a good ride, it's been good times.'


Sad: Judge Jennifer Lopez was close to tears when the results were read out and asked him to sing Maggie May as his final song


Scruffy bearded McDonald had been in the bottom three with fellow contestants Haley Reinhart and Stefano Langone after his version of Old Time Rock and Roll from the movie Risky Business failed to impress audiences.

After over 53 million votes were cast, McDonald is the first male to be eliminated and actually sent home since the top 12 - after Casey Abrams was saved by the judges two weeks ago.

Stefano has received praise from the judges last night for putting on his best performance of the competition so far so it was surprising to see him him in the bottom three again - but with Idol there are no guarantees.


Tough competition: Also in the bottom three tonight were Stefano Langone and Haley Reinhart - but they were ultimately sent back to safety


Nail-biting: The contestants had another nail-biting wait to see if they get to stay on the life-changing show for another week


So long: Jacob Lusk hugged McDonald who is leaving the live shows but will get to take part in the American Idol tour this summer


He returned to his safe seat to fewer boos than last week after the crowd went crazy when Pia Toscano was sent home - a favourite to win.

The remaining seven hopefuls are Casey Abrams, Scotty McCreery, Haley Reinhart, Lauren Alaina, Jacob Lusk, Stefano Langone and James Durbin.

Meanwhile, last week's reject Toscano was supporting her pals from a star-studded audience which included soul divas Chaka Khan and Anita Baker.


Giving her the eye: Casey Abrams and Haley Reinhart fuelled the fire that they are having a 'showmance' with a rousing jazz performance


Country crooners: Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina also performed a duet tonight


Former Idol winner Kelly Clarkson performed her song 'Don't You Want to Stay?' with Jason Aldean.

The first time Idol took host Ryan Seacrest to task about 'rephrasing' her tweets on air - like the one where she said Casey was cute.

'Why, what did you tweet about Casey?', Seacrest asked with fake innocence.


Sultry: Rihanna brought the house down with her debut performance of California King Bed


'Oh no, he's certainly delicious, he's cute', Kelly admitted which made the jazz singer blush.

'I just mean, you don't say the whole thing! So many people think I'm some kind of pervert or something', she added.

Casey and Hailey continued to crank the rumour mill of a secret romance between the two of them with a spirited jazz duet where he could not take his eyes off his fellow contestant.

The hour long show was given a further injection of star power when singer Rihanna took to the stage to showcase her new song California King Bed.


Scary: The contestants had filmed a zombie-themed Ford commercial which was aired during the show


Sporting bushy, scarlet curls and a flowing gown, the 23-year-old Barbadian beauty belted out the ballad and even threw in a spot of air guitar.

After the song, Rihanna let audiences in on a secret from her upcoming summer tour.

'We've designed the stage and we have two sections on the stage where fans can actually be in the show and on the stage, closer than they've ever been,' she told host Ryan Seacrest. 'It's real VIP.'

The contestants had filmed a zombie-themed Ford commercial which was aired during the show.


source: dailymail

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