Stefano Langone Leaves 'American Idol'

LOS ANGELES — Stefano Langone isn't closer to becoming an "American Idol." The smooth 21-year-old singer from Kent, Wash., received the fewest viewer votes on the Fox talent contest Thursday, despite impressing the judges with his voice – and dance moves – on Ne-Yo's "Closer."

Langone, a wild-card finalist rescued by the "Idol" judges, appeared as one of the show's bottom-three vote getters a total of four times.

"It's the start of my career," Langone told "Idol" host Ryan Seacrest after his dismissal. "You can't put a price on that."

Langone was joined in the bottom three by Jacob Lusk, the booming 23-year-old vocalist from Compton, Calif., who powered through a technically challenged performance of Luther Vandross' "Dance With My Father," and Haley Reinhart, the growling 20-year-old college student from Wheeling, Ill., who tackled Adele's "Rolling in the Deep."

Before the elimination, the seven finalists split up for group performances. Lauren Alania, the 16-year-old country princess, joined Langone, Lusk and Reinhart for Train's "Soul Sister," and 22-year-old rocker James Durbin, 16-year-old country crooner Scotty McCreery and 20-year-old renaissance man Casey Abrams performed Coldplay's "Viva La Vida."

David Cook, the seventh season "Idol" champion, returned to "Idol" to debut his new single, "The Last Goodbye."

Katy Perry also unleashed a laser-filled rendition of "ET" with Kanye West before Langone was booted from the competition.

The remaining finalists will perform songs by Carole King next Wednesday, with another singer dismissed Thursday.

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Online:

http://www.americanidol.com

Comments

[CaptainEville]

09:17 PM on 04/22/2011

Can some please tell Katy Perry the role of lady gaga has already been filled?

[mamamab]

09:18 PM on 04/22/2011

already filled by someone with a voice and songwriting talent

[JSDKoeln]

03:12 AM on 04/23/2011

Word!

[brooklyncitizen]

08:32 PM on 04/22/2011

Stefano is adorable and should be in a boy band.What stumps me is that Scotty kid from Texas, I can't watch or listen to him mainly 'cause he looks like Bush but he sings the same dull stuff each time.
I don't see the passion over Casey he is less interesting than Crystal Bowersox and kind of all over the map.
James is good but he appears to be living out a fantasy....like after years of air guitar playing he finally gets to perform in front of an audience...he's also really pure and that is part of his charm.
I find myself rooting for Haley not because she is the most likable (she isn't ) but because her voice is interesting and varied and less predictable and I'm always surprised at each song.The other girl is adorable and a real powerhouse.

[Sandmanj]

02:03 PM on 04/22/2011

James Durbin has my vote - every note he sings is in perfect pitch and his vocals have the guts and emotion to light up any stage. True, raw talent.

[mamamab]

09:18 PM on 04/22/2011

completely agree

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

05:44 PM on 04/23/2011

James is my favorite but I'm sad to see Stefano go. He was talented, charming and good looking. He'll go far.

[Edogg62]

01:09 PM on 04/22/2011

What Elton John spoke of re: AI is true... when a TRUE artist comes up through playing clubs and writing over the course of years they develop. What AI does is try to predict future success based purely on potential. As their results show, it's a risky proposition. And the mere fact that 12 year old girls are doing most of the voting is enough to discredit the entire process to begin with. I think Kara's show makes more sense... singer/songwriters...

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

05:46 PM on 04/23/2011

But you see, I don't think this theory that only 12 year old girls votes holds water. If that were the case, Stefano would win hands down. He's got the "cute" look and a smile that melts girls (and gay mens') hearts.

[Edogg62]

01:06 PM on 04/22/2011

If this actually WERE a "SINGING" contest, Scotty would've gone home. REALISTICALLY, if it were, Scotty would never have gotten into the final group period. It's SO cliched and tiring...

Jacob oversings, yes... as does Stefano (plus Stefano has ZERO style/character to his voice). It's not a "cute" contest (or SHOULDN'T be), it's SUPPOSEDLY a singing competition.

[anytimecowboy]

12:59 PM on 04/22/2011

Jacob should have gone home. He oversings EVERY song. Stefano is smooth, personable and cute.

[mamamab]

12:41 PM on 04/22/2011

Was Katy lip-syncing? That's the overarching question here.

[Blissful]

12:24 PM on 04/22/2011

I like Katy Perry, but that song is garbage.

[brooklyncitizen]

08:26 PM on 04/22/2011

complete garbage

[nik101]

11:29 AM on 04/22/2011

There is no true stand out star this season. Nice kids, but not enough to sustain a career in a very competitive industry. Only a few have done so. It will be Stefano who in 6 months.

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

05:47 PM on 04/23/2011

I disagree. The thing this year is that ALL of them in the top 10 are talented enough to have careers in the business. Whether they do or not depends on a lot of other factors, but even the ones I haven't cared for (Paul, Scotty) have talent and should be able to support themselves singing.

[aznurse]

11:15 AM on 04/22/2011

Why couldn't James let him finish his final song without jumping on him?

[YellowDogInRedCounty]

05:49 PM on 04/23/2011

They were the closest of friends and James was emotional. Stefano was able to finish, James maybe got him during his last second or so but it appeared Stefano was happy to be hugged by his buddy.

[aznurse]

09:34 PM on 04/23/2011

oh,okay, I thought James was trying to hog the spotlight. But 've only watched a few times, so you're probably right.

[Halsey]

11:07 AM on 04/22/2011

I actually watched last night since it was only 1 hour. I think sending Stefano on was the right move. He's cute and charming, but not a standout. Jacob will go on to a great gospel career regardless of when he's cut (I don't see him making it the the end but love his voice).
I just read here that Carol King's songs will be used next week. hmm..have to think about this. I love King but am not certain her songs will work for some of the singers (like Jacob and James). yes..darn it, I'll watch.

[mamamab]

02:29 PM on 04/22/2011

You're absolutely right about Jacob. Gospel is his driving lane. He wants to sing about god, inspiration, Jesus. Not about sex, relationships, breakups and clubbing. He just can't make it in today's music, unless he becomes a Christian recording artist, which is what he needs to do.

[Stephen Stafford]

07:10 PM on 04/23/2011

Jacob can sing about anything he wants to - he chooses to sing about what he feels right now. "Need mo'" has not struck in his life yet.

When he is set loose to sing what he wants the way he wants to, and records something that moves people, the genre will not matter.

[SoonerNspring]

05:19 PM on 04/22/2011

OK - here is my projected list of songs/singer next week from Carol King's songs:
Jazz Man - Casey
For Once In My Life - Scottie
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow - Haley
Dont Bring Me Down - James
You Make Me Feel Like a Natural Woman - Fight between Jacob & Lauren

[Halsey]

08:33 PM on 04/22/2011

Sooner, um..was that a joke about Jacob singing Natural Woman? I hope so, or an oversight. I like the rest...but, being me always have useless input.

I can see Haley singing "I feel the Earth move under my feet''...my fear is she'll sing it in the same manner she's done other songs. I like her but cringe because she raises her left arm ALL THE TIME! (I notice trivia). I don't understand why they don't tell her to stop it..or give it a break for one song. hmmm..I think Scottie could do that one too.

Back to Jacob..I think....love me manana would fit his smooth voice. Gosh..I didn't want to get into AI..but find myself there this year (and Jacob will be the next to go..and will be fine...Gospel is his calling..or..let him find an Ella Fitzgerald song..
Cheers...see ya next week (we'll continue :-)

[Christopher Charles]

01:40 AM on 04/23/2011

I don't know. Casey loves James Taylor, so my bet is he goes with "You've Got A Friend."

[CAMBEL]

10:47 AM on 04/22/2011

I'm just shocked that Jacob is on there, they keep comparing him to older much better singers, but he can't hold still on a note at all and has a wavery vibrato that makes him sound like the 300 pould woman in the choir that they only bring out to wail on the end notes.

[Halsey]

08:36 PM on 04/22/2011

Cambel...Jacob should be on a gospel talent show. He's got the spiritual thing.. Actually, jus this second, I thought he could also nail a select few Elvis songs. That wavery vibrato is a gift, he's simply not your kind of singer..but the fat woman comment was way out of line...and you know it.

[Stephen Stafford]

07:22 PM on 04/23/2011

I have never seen a 300 pound woman brought out to wail on an end note. More importantly, I am not sure you have been seen in a church.

[verycold]

10:36 AM on 04/22/2011

Do you know the story of this kid?  He will be fine.  He has a great attitude and will make the most of what is offered to him.  He might not be the stand-out this year, but persistence paid off for him. 

This appears to be a great group of kids.  I don't know them personally and so one never knows, but it seems like they are handling things pretty well.  I wish them all the best.

[Wow Unbelievable]

11:21 AM on 04/22/2011

I agree.

[DevonTexas]

01:31 PM on 04/22/2011

agreed. This was a good springboard for him. He's got a following and a good future.

[hang319]

10:31 AM on 04/22/2011

i quit watching when the judges "saved" that creepy guy. Is he still on?

[aznurse]

11:08 AM on 04/22/2011

you need to be more specific.

[DevonTexas]

01:31 PM on 04/22/2011

LOL

[redsongia]

11:19 AM on 04/22/2011

I quit when they cut Paul MacDonald and his flower suit :)

[OutAtFirst]

10:29 AM on 04/22/2011

In a couple more years, everyone in America will have been a contestant on this show at least once.

[NHBill]

10:33 AM on 04/22/2011

lol

[littlerabbit]

04:09 PM on 04/22/2011

I would never subject America to my singing.