'American Idol' sends Brandon Rogers home, reveals Top 11 finalists
By Christopher Rocchio, 03/14/2007
Brandon Rogers was the first finalist from the sixth season of Fox' American Idol to be eliminated from the reality competition series during Wednesday night's live results show.
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The 29-year-old from North Hollywood, CA who had previously worked as both a background singer and wedding singer was sent packing after "nearly 28 million votes" were cast based on Tuesday night's live performances.
"It's hard to be a background singer and come to the front," said Rogers. "But I got to that place where people actually believed I could be a lead singer."
Rogers was the first finalist to perform during Tuesday night's Idol broadcast and sang "You Can't Hurry Love." Idol judge Randy Jackson quickly pointed out that Rogers had forgotten several of the song's lyrics and fellow judge Simon Cowell called it "a complete letdown."
"I just feel blessed to be here," said Rogers when host Ryan Seacrest revealed he was eliminated. "I have no hard feelings. I kind of expected it. I forgot my words... a cardinal sin for American Idol."
Prior to Rogers' elimination, two other male finalists -- Sanjaya Malakar, a 17-year-old from Federal Way, WA who sang "Ain't' No Mountain High Enough," and Phil Stacey, a 29-year-old from Jacksonville, FL who performed "Make You Love Me" -- were revealed to be the other members of this week's bottom three vote-getters.
Diana Ross, who served as a mentor on Tuesday night's performance episode while Idol 6's Top 12 celebrated her songbook, also performed "I Love You More Today Than Yesterday" during the results show.
"This entire show is such an inspiration to all American young kids out there watching," said Ross. "I am so happy to be here."