LaKisha Jones voted off "American Idol"

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) - "American Idol"'s huge fan base sent LaKisha Jones home on Wednesday after casting more than 45 million votes for their favorite singers on the talent television show's sixth season.

Jones, 27, of Flint, Michigan, sang "Stayin' Alive" and "Run to Me" on the Bee Gees-themed episodes, in which the singers were mentored by the legendary Barry Gibb.

Blake Lewis, the last remaining male singer, survived the elimination and will go on to fight it out with Jordin Sparks and Melinda Doolittle for the big prize on the finale airing on May 23.

Jones was eliminated during the show's live telecast, after acerbic judge Simon Cowell shrugged of her performance, saying, "No kiss tonight, baby."

A week ago Cowell said her singing made him want to kiss her, then went ahead and kissed her.

The judges said Jones did better on "Run to Me" than "Stayin' Alive," but was still vulnerable.

Before the elimination was announced on the live telecast the final four contestants sang a medley of Gibb songs as a tribute to the singer and songwriter.

"American Idol" has become such a phenomenon that even singers eliminated before the end, such as recent Oscar winner Jennifer Hudson, have made major inroads in the entertainment world.

Reuters