American Idol voted out the second of its twelve fifth season finalists during last night's live results show, with Kevin Covais, a 16-year-old from Levittown, NY, being eliminated from the Fox reality talent competition as a result of receiving the fewest home viewer votes.

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Kevin had entertained the show's audience by singing Nat King Cole's "When I Fall In Love" classic during Tuesday's "Music of the 50s" themed American Idol performance show, after which home viewers cast over 35 million votes for American Idol 5's eleven remaining contestants.

Although considered to be one of the competition's weaker singers, Idol's judges had mostly praised Kevin's performance of the classic. "I like you dude, you're definitely in the dog pound for real," Randy Jackson shouted.

Even Simon Cowell, an outspoken critic of Kevin's "granny voter" talent, had complemented the performer. "Kevin, I like you, because you're like a man, you can take it. You know who I think your audience is, and your audience is going to love that version."

Unlike last week's results show that featured initial oddsmakers' favorite Ace Young among the week's bottom three vote-getters, this week's bottom three featured no major surprises. Joining Kevin in the bottom three where Lisa Tucker, a 16-year-old from Anaheim, CA who had received the second fewest votes during last week's voting, and Bucky Covington, a 28-year-old Rockingham, NC native considered to be another of American Idol 5's weaker remaining singers.

American Idol 5 finalist Kevin Covais performs on Idol's Wednesday, March 8 performance show. See more American Idol 5 photos in our American Idol photo gallery (photo credit Ray Mickshaw/FOX.)
After keeping the threesome in suspense through a commercial break, Idol host Ryan Seacrest revealed that Lisa had finished with the third fewest votes, leaving Kevin and Bucky to learn their fate alone.

"'Chicken Little' is leaving us... what are we going to do without you," Ryan shouted after announcing the elimination of the eyeglass-wearing nerdy teenager that had emerged as the favorite of Idol 5's female finalists.

Kevin took the news of his elimination well. "America, I love you, thank you for everything," he remarked after Ryan disclosed that he was leaving. "This is the best year of Idol yet, so American be smart and pick one of these amazing people please."

Lisa had performed Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers' "Why Do Fools Fall in Love" during Tuesday night's show. While Randy and fellow judge Paula Abdul had deemed the performance perky and youthful, Simon disagreed. "I feel like I'm trapped in some sort of high school musical or something," the sharp-tongued judge remarked. Bucky had sung Buddy Holly's "Oh, Boy!," a performance Simon called "nothing more than a pointless karaoke performance."

Next week will see another of Idol's finalists eliminated, with the ten remaining contestants once again taking to the stage during Tuesday's 8PM ET/PT performance show and later learning their fate during Wednesday's 9:00-9:30PM ET/PT live results show.

The ten contestants still competing in American Idol 5's finals are:

Paris Bennett, a 17-year-old from Fayetteville, GA (Auditioned in Greensboro)

Paris began singing at the age of 4. She has performed in numerous concerts and has opened for many groups, including Bow Wow. Paris is a skilled dancer in hip-hop, jazz and modern African dance.


Bucky Covington, a 28-year-old from Rockingham, NC (Auditioned in Greensboro)

Bucky lives in his hometown of Rockingham, NC. At the age of 19, he picked up a guitar for the first time and soon after joined his first band. About two years ago, Bucky switched to a country/beach/rock band and realized that his talent crosses many types of music.


Chris Daughtry, a 26-year-old from McLeansville, NC (Auditioned in Denver)

Chris discovered his singing ability in algebra class. A gifted guitar player and songwriter, Chris has already recorded a CD with his band Absent Element. For the past three years, Chris has been a service advisor for a car dealership in Greensboro, NC. In 2000, Chris married his wife Deanna and became a stepfather of two.


Taylor Hicks, a 29-year-old from Birmingham, AL (Auditioned in Las Vegas)

Taylor is a blue-eyed soul singer who has played every honky-tonk imaginable. A talented writer and harmonica player, Taylor enters the competition with almost 29 years of singing experience, as he has been singing since he could crawl.


Mandisa Hundley, a 29-year-old from Antioch, TN (Auditioned in Chicago)

Born and raised in Citrus Heights, CA, Mandisa moved to Nashville to study singing at Fisk University. She has performed with such artists as Shania Twain, Trisha Yearwood, Faith Hill and Charlie Daniels.


Katharine McPhee, a 21-year-old from Sherman Oaks, CA (Auditioned in San Francisco)

Katharine was born and raised in Los Angeles. She was exposed at an early age to the joy of singing by her mother, a vocal coach. After high school, Katharine attended the prestigious Boston Conservatory for one semester and majored in musical theater.


Kellie Pickler, a 19-year-old from Albemarle, NC (Auditioned in Greensboro)

Kellie is a waitress who currently lives in Albemarle, NC, and enjoys singing, dancing and shopping for shoes. Kellie has been singing for as long as she can remember, but only began performing for crowds four years ago.


Lisa Tucker, a 16-year-old from Anaheim, CA (Auditioned in Denver)

Lisa is currently a senior at Kennedy High School. She was the original "Young Nala" in Disney's Los Angeles production of "The Lion King" and was voted by Variety as one of the "Top Ten Talents to Watch." Lisa also plays the guitar and piano and is a songwriter.


Elliott Yamin, a 27-year-old from Richmond, VA (Auditioned in Boston)

Elliott began singing at the ripe age of 5. His mother, who was a professional singer, is his inspiration and biggest fan. For Elliott, being on AMERICAN IDOL has allowed him to pursue his dream of singing professionally.



Ace Young, a 25-year-old from Los Angeles, CA (Auditioned in Denver)

Ace is the youngest of five brothers. Ace grew up in Boulder, CO, and began his singing career at age 9. He started performing at 11 in local malls and recreation centers. Ace lives in Los Angeles and works in sales and home remodeling.


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