‘American Idol’ Elimination: A Fan Favorite Singer Is Sent Home

Courtesy of Fox

‘American Idol’ is so close to crowning its winner, and that means another standout had to be sent home tonight on the May 1st elimination show. With just five contestants left, of course, it was a bittersweet send-off. Click to find out who was cut!

Jena Irene, Caleb Johnson, Jessica Meuse, Alex Preston and Sam Woolf all delivered amazing performances on Wednesday, April 30, but on Thursday, May 1, one American Idol singer had to leave the competition. With less than a month to go to the finale, one of America’s favorites was sent home. Keep reading to see whose journey ended tonight.

Ryan Seacrest Announces A Surprise & Keith Urban Takes The Stage

“A game-changer will happen live on this stage tonight,” said host Ryan Seacrest at the start of the May 1 elimination show. We know that someone is supposed to be sent home tonight, but is there another surprise in store?

Before any bad or surprising news could be delivered, Keith Urban took the stage to perform his smash hit “Good Thing.” The judge rocked the stage and showed off his guitar skills! “He’s so cute,” said Jennifer Lopez. “I just love him.”

Back to that surprise that Ryan was talking about earlier…

“We’ve got a dramatic proposal for you,” Ryan told the Top Five. “Tonight, the power is in your hands. You’ve got two options.” Ryan explained that either the singer with the lowest votes could go home, like usual, or no one could go home tonight — but then two people would go home next week.

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The five singers anonymously filled out ballots to decide if anyone would be going home. The votes had to be unanimous, in order for the entire group to stick together for one more week. And then (of course) the show went to commercial break!

Did Anyone Go Home?

So did anyone go home?

Ryan opened up the ballots and there were three “yes” votes and two “no” votes. That means that the total count was not unanimous, and someone would have to be sent home!

The judges were shocked. JLO even said so herself! And that means that a singer has to be cut…

Sam Is Sent Home From The Competition

After the potential game-changer to keep the group together, America voted, and Sam Woolf was sent home.

‘American Idol’ Contestants On Sam Woolf Elimination — ‘Dude, So Dumb’

We’re sad to see Sam go! If you remember, he was eliminated from the top eight, earlier in the season, and was saved by the judges to get another chance. We wish his chance last even longer, but at this point in the competition, it’s nothing but cutthroat.

Goodbye, America’s teenage heartthrob!

HollywoodLifers, are you upset that Sam was cut? Let us know if you think that America made the right choice or if Sam should have stuck around for long.

— Elizabeth Wagmeister

Follow @EWagmeister