Fans give Ramiele Malubay the hook on "Idol"
By Chris Michaud
NEW YORK (Reuters) - It was Ramiele Malubay's turn to bow out of "American Idol" on Wednesday when the hit TV talent show's fans gave her rendition of "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" the fewest votes in this week's Dolly Parton-themed competition.
Judge Randy Jackson pronounced Malubay's performance both "pretty good" and "kind of alright," while the blunt Simon Cowell termed it "forgettable" and "reminiscent of something you would see and hear on a cruise ship."
Kristy Lee Cook and Brooke White, the latter making her first appearance near the bottom, rounded out this week's three lowest-ranked contestants.
Jackson correctly predicted that it would be Malubay's time to go, while Cowell offered that America got it "absolutely right" in their weekly vote.
The show also featured a performance by this season's first mentor, Parton, who performed "Jesus & Gravity" on the live broadcast.
The nine finalists opened the show with a group performance of Parton's hit "9 to 5," while each selected a Parton song to perform on Tuesday's show before the fans voted for their favorites.
Malubay, 20, from Miramar, Florida, conceded earlier in the show it had been "a little" difficult for her to connect with country music.
"American Idol" pits singers against one another in a months-long competition. Past winners like Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have gone on to music stardom, as have some runners-up, including Clay Aiken.
The weekly show draws some 30 million viewers and roughly the same number of votes, making it the most-watched program on U.S. television.
The other remaining finalists are: Jason Castro, 20; early fan favorite David Archuleta, 17; emerging "Idol" star David Cook, 25; Michael Johns, 29; Syesha Mercado, 21, and Carly Smithson, 24.
The winner of "American Idol's" seventh season will be announced during the live finale in May.
