Major Upset On "American Idol"

(CBS)  Judges' favorite Melinda Doolittle was voted off "American Idol" Wednesdsay night, leaving teen singer Jordin Sparks and beatboxer Blake Lewis to duke it out in next week's finale.

The audience booed and whistled as the news was announced during the last few minutes of the program.

The Brentwood, Tenn. resident seemed just as surprised as the other two contestants when she learned she'd be sent home, but quickly regained her composure and managed a smile.

Simon Cowell had looked annoyed — well, more annoyed than usual — when the announcement was made.

"Congratulations to you two," he said to Sparks and Lewis. "My commiserations, Melinda, because you are one heck of a singer."

A professional backup singer, Doolittle was easily the most versatile contestant on the show, singing the blues, rock, soul and pop classics with equal facility.

"You were the most consistent all season, so be proud," said Randy Jackson.

---

Photos: "American Idol" Season 6

---

"If I'm going to award a place in the final for the person who has consistently delivered week after week it's you," Cowell told Doolittle Tuesday night.

The top ten finalists of the season will return for the finale and then hit the road together in the summer for the Idols Live! tour.

At the end of the evening, the judges told Doolittle that her career is well on its way. "You've already made it, Melinda, and now it's time to go out and do your career because you're going to be huge," said Paula Abdul.

The "American Idol" finale airs May 22.
By Judy Faber

[discoverage]

How about a finals between William Hung and Sanjaya? Clearly talent means nothing these days. Yes, Melinda was the best technical singer (but honestly lack a top part of her range - when Randy gave her that song, Melinda did NOT have the chops for the high notes)... Blake, well Blake is a cocky son of a ***, and can't sing in tune. He resorts to that lame beatboxing when to kill time. Vocally very weak. Jordin has the "package" in terms of looks and talent, but is a bit like Katharine McPhee... not tremendously with a "wow" factor. But with Melinda being voted off, I will NOT tune into the finals.

[kailumego1]

Some have alluded to Jordan as being the prettier contestant having more personality, I particularly don't see it.

She is a 17 year old in need of some serious vocal lessons, and as far as physical appearance Melinda is an attractive young woman, maybe the problem lies in how some individuals define attractiveness.

I personally don't see how anyone can make a legitimate argument based on a flawed perception or standard of beauty, which devalues some individuals because they don't possess Eurocentric features.

Both young ladies are attractive and Jordan doesn't have "debs" on attractiveness because she's lighted skinned with less Negroid features.

You people need to come out of the dark ages with this physical degradation discourse towards women who look more ethnic and less Eurocentric.

Both women are equally attractive in their own right, and the real issue is not based on someone's physical attractiveness, but "talent".

That's the problem with the music industry today, it is overshadowed by superficialness and no talent.

A majority of today's singers would not have gotten their foot in the door if they had been around in the 50's, 60's, 70's or 80's, and that includes Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan, Beyonce, Ashanti, Rhianna, Brandy, Monica, Kelly Rowland, Kelly Clarkston, Jordan Sparks, etc.....

[tencha3]

AMERICAN IDOL IS A SINGING CONTEST AND THE PEOPLE VOTE FOR THE WINNER. GET OVER IT! JORDIN AND BLAKE HAD A BETTER FAN BASE THAN MELINDA. GRANTED MELINDA HAS A BEAUTIFUL VOICE BUT SHE JUST DOES NOT HAVE A WINNING PERSONALITY. I WISH I COULD SAY THAT SHE NEEDS TO WORK ON THAT BUT PERSONALITY IS SOMETHING YOU EITHER HAVE IT OR YOU DON'T...

[erasmus6]

I have said this before and I will say it again: It is time to change the way we vote. It needs to be half the judges vote and half the publics vote. Also the fact that everyone can vote a million times is ridicules. We should only be able to vote once.
The fact that Blake Lewis won over Melinda is pathetic. Blake doesn't even come close to singing as good as her. And as far as Jordin goes, she is very good, but I don't like people that are OVER confident and she strikes me as being over confident.

naber1961

"I pull the overweight card..."

Are you kidding me?!! You are saying she is gone because she is overweight? Jordin Sparks is twice the size of her! And I am not talking about her height. Jordin is a BIG girl!

[yory-2009]

That's a good idea! Have them sing the same song.
We might hear great versions of the same song done by people with different styles. Not necessarily better or worse than the other.

[ladyephesus1]

Its doesnt matter is Melinda was voted off anyways. She will make it big anyways. She already had a foot in the door from the start, so i felt that america wanted a newby to win it, ya know? I was stunned, but not too sad for Melinda because I know shes gonna make it big anyways regardless. I am happy that Jordin has a chance. Deep inside I really want her to win the competition. Shes beautiful inside and out.
Blake is okay but he kept rappin on every song and didnt show too much of his singing ability other than the rappin style.
Good luck to both anyways.

[annabowe]

We here in Tulsa,OK are sad that we're not good enough for Melinda to admit she is from here. I guess saying you are from Nashville would make you look more musically breed.....

[garsh548]

Melinda, rocks. She will be a bigger star than both Jordan and Blake. I'm am in shock, Simon was right, American got this one wrong. Melinda has already won.

[dinocards42]

I think that this is a stupid show. Watch it a few times, the majority of the talent can't sing so that they could be understood. How about moving away from eating the mike, and toning down the screams, you might sound like singers again.

[awbsdad]

Melinda was great. She had my vote from the beginning. I will buy her album and Lakeshas any time over the last two. I really do not care who wins now. Melinda was humble. Blake thought he was gone and I think Jordin had her doubts. I believe they both were shocked over Melinda.

Did anyone think that the black vote was split between Melinda and Jordin???? Like a third party candidate taking a lot of the votes!

Rock on Melinda. You have got it. Continue being true to yourself and get out front and SING!!!!!