Chris Sligh Eliminated From American Idol; Next Week "American Classics"  3/30/07

CHRIS SLIGH IS ELIMINATED FROM THE “AMERICAN IDOL” COMPETITION

TOP 9 FINALISTS WILL COMPETE ON “AMERICAN CLASSICS”-THEMED PERFORMANCE SHOW TUESDAY, APRIL 3, ON FOX

Legendary Tony Bennett to Perform On Next Results Show Wednesday, April 4

The AMERICAN IDOL quest of Top 10 finalist Chris Sligh ended last night when it was announced that he received the fewest votes. Tuesday’s performance show featured the Top 10 finalists performing pop songs by Grammy Award winner Gwen Stefani and other artists who have inspired her. Sligh, 28, from Greenville, SC, sang “Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.” Over 30 million votes were received after the show. On Wednesday, Stefani performed her hit “The Sweet Escape” with Akon, and it was revealed that Sligh will not be moving forward in the competition.

Next week, television’s most popular show heats up when the Top 9 finalists (Melinda Doolittle, Gina Glocksen, LaKisha Jones, Blake Lewis, Sanjaya Malakar, Chris Richardson, Haley Scarnato, Jordin Sparks and Phil Stacey) compete head-to-head again on Tuesday, April 3 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed). Music legend Tony Bennett will mentor the contestants as they prepare for the “American Classics”-themed performance show. Tune in the following night to see Bennett, one of America’s true musical classics, perform, and find out who receives enough votes to stay in the competition and who must go home on the live results show Wednesday, April 4 (9:00-9:30 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Twenty-two-time Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

- FOX -