American Idol Elimination Bummer: Who's Not in the Elite Eight?

Show lost a favorite tonight in an emotional ouster

By Natalie Finn Mar 30, 2012 1:35 AMTags
AMERICAN IDOL: The Final 9Michael Becker / FOX.

Tonight's elimination on American Idol was going to sting, no matter what.

With only nine unusually-strong-across-the-board hopefuls left, the drop to eight was a disappointing one—for the ousted contestant, the audience, the judges...probably everybody but Jimmy Iovine, who saw it coming a mile away.

So, whose voice will we be missing next week? You may be shocked...

Or not.

Heejun Han went home Thursday despite last night's reputation-redeeming performance of Donny Hathaway's "A Song for You"—which he even improved upon tonight when he sang for his life.

But maybe it was a little too late after his inner jokester got the better of him during Billy Joel night last week.

"Let the record show that you knew this was coming," Steven Tyler told him apologetically. "You took it up a couple notches. Unfortunately, after talking, we're going to have to let you go, man."

Skylar Laine was briefly scared for the first time this season, but she was the first member of the bottom three to be shooed to safety. Hollie Cavanagh also found herself in the weeds and could be next to go after her second straight performance deemed "not quite there yet" by the judges and Jimmy.

Still chugging along with Skylar and Hollie are Phillip Phillips, Elise Testone, Colton Dixon, Deandre Brackensick, Joshua Ledet and Jessica Sanchez.

Are you bummed about Heejun being sent home, or was it the right call? Sound off in the comments!

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