The Tribune

By LESH

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

THE Season 12 American Idol Top 8 Finalists became the Top 7 last week, after contestant Devin Velez was eliminated.

Sharing the bottom three spot with Devin were contestants Burnell Taylor and Lazaro Arbos. The only males left in the competition all received the lowest votes, but unfortunately for Devin, he finished in 8th place, which sent him packing.

The girls all received safe seating in the Top 7, moving forward to the next round in the competition.

Throughout the night, there were guest performances by American Idol judge Keith Urban and past Idol contestants Katherine McPhee and Colton Dixon.

The interesting events surrounding elimination night took place after the actual show. It began when Devin voiced his opinion in a conference call to international reporters about judge Nicki Minaj’s critiquing of the boys’ “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch” performance.

Devin said: “I agree with the first half of her critique, when she said that it felt like it was Hollywood week, that it was a joke that stuff like that should not happen, that she was going to pretend that she didn’t hear it. I agree with that. When she was like, ‘get off the stage, blah blah blah,’ and it’s just like, whoa, Miss Minaj, I need you to calm down, please. We’re still human, we still have feelings. She doesn’t care sometimes. It’s all good, we still love Nicki.”

Nicki, known to always say what is on her mind, took to her Twitter page to share her thoughts on Devin’s comments.

The American Idol judge tweeted:“Lol. Be mad @AMERICA when u get sent home. The judges are the ones who fought for America to get the opp to Vote 4 U!!! #memba? America r the “potential” fans...u must win them over. “Saves” are [bull] and they know it. Those girls are just too good this year.”

She continued: “Send the judges some flowers and a card. If Curtis [Finch Jr.] didn’t get saved, none of u get saved! Best male voice of the season!!!!!!!!!!! #TruthTea. Trust me BEW BEW.

If EYE didn’t want u in that top, you wouldnt have been in that top. Fought for all of you. So just simply b gracious.”

Devin later tweeted a comment that implied Nicki was acting like a child. He later deleted his tweet.

Apart from the judge-contestant drama, this week the Top 7 will return to the stage for another round of performances and audience votes.

Top 7

Candice Glover

Angela Miller

Kree Harrison

Janelle Arthur

Amber Holcomb

Burnell Taylor

Lazaro Arbos