"Idol" underdog Sanjaya voted off show

''American Idol'' contestant Sanjaya Malakar in a photo courtesy of FOX. The wannabe pop star contestant best known for his wacky hairdos, was booted from the hit show on Wednesday.

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Wannabe pop star Sanjaya Malakar, the "American Idol" contestant best known for his wacky hairdos, was booted from the hit show on Wednesday, disappointing a hard core of smart alecks who delighted in mocking his mediocre singing and extreme hair styles.

Malakar, 17, fighting back tears, said he was "fine" after the results of the nationwide polling were announced. "It was an amazing experience," he added.

Host Ryan Seacrest replied, "I can promise you: We won't soon forget you."

Seacrest said over 38 million votes were cast, a record for this stage of the show.

Malakar's departure was a relief to the judges. Simon Cowell, who once threatened to quit if Malakar won, termed his performance the night before of Bonnie Raitt's Grammy-winning tune "Something to Talk About" as "utterly horrendous."

Yet, millions of people reveled in Malakar's amiable mediocrity. Satellite radio DJ Howard Stern urged his listeners to vote for Malakar in order to ruin the top-rated show.

Malakar had some high-profile fans, though. Former guest performers Tony Bennett said he was "terrific," while Gwen Stefani marveled at his inner confidence.

"American Idol" is broadcast on Fox, a unit of News Corp.