"American Idol" Says Bye Bye To Malubay

Pixieish Singer's Exit Leaves Eight Finalists To Duke It Out

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April 2, 2008

(CBS)  "American Idol" guest mentor Dolly Parton called Ramiele Malubay "so cute, so sweet," but the 20-year-old singer was unable to win the hearts of enough viewers to keep her from being voted off the show.

The Miramar, Fla. resident's exit Wednesday night leaves eight remaining singers in the competition.

Malubay's performance of Parton's "Do I Ever Cross Your Mind" Tuesday night got a thumbs up from judge Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson said it was a "pretty good" performance.

Cranky judge Simon Cowell was less impressed, saying "look we're not going to remember this in ten year's time, are we? It was cute. You sang it quite well, but overall it was forgettable."

Host Ryan Seacrest did his best to console Malubay after she learned she was going home.

"We're not going to let you go home with a frown on your face and tears rolling off your cheeks," Seacrest told a weepy Malubay. "You have done a tremendous job and made some great friends. You should be very proud of yourself."

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Photos: "American Idol" Season 7

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This was the first time that Malubay had landed among the three lowest vote-getters. She was joined by Kristy Lee Cook - who has narrowly escaped elimination twice before - and judges' favorite Brooke White, who was there for the first time.

Finalist David Cook seemed in fine shape after a medical emergency Tuesday night. Cook, 25, said that his trip to the hospital after suffering palpitations was much ado about nothing.

"The whole thing kind of got blown out of proportion," he told Seacrest on the show. "I have high blood pressure, and it spiked."

Wednesday's show also included performances by Parton and The Clark Brothers.

By Judy Rosen
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