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The night Chicago died: Haley eliminated from Idol

By April MacIntyre May 20, 2011, 3:12 GMT

03/03/2011 - Haley Reinhart - 2011 "American Idol" Finalist Party - Arrivals - Los Angeles - Los Angeles, CA, USA © Andrew Evans / PR Photos

A record call in vote (95 million) and lots of hometown b-roll swept the Thursday result show into an emotional and tense episode of "American Idol," as Wednesday night's performance show was tallied and one contestant was sent packing.

Lauren Alaina hails from Rossville, GA, and Scotty McCreery is from Garner, NC. Tonight the kids went home, as McCreery was paid a visit by Josh Turner, of "Your Man" fame.  The wreckage left behind of the Southern tornadoes deeply affected Lauren Alaina.

The Chicago area contestant Haley Reinhart was the lowest score.  The two remaining now are the bass and baritone 17 year-old prodigy, country teen Scotty McCreery, and 16-year-old Lauren Alaina.

Haley displayed a variety of emotions at the news, and addressed the audience:

"...I rocked it out. And I had a blast," Reinhart said.

Her swan song was Elton John's "Bennie and the Jets," as she sang around the judges table again, fooling with the lyrics of the song.

The odd moment for me was the Italian trio, Il Volo, who schmoozed up the stage in flowery lounge lizard styled operatic "O Sole Mio."  Sort of like being served French fries with Beef Wellington. Then, Nicole Scherzinger and 50 Cent collaborated on her new single.

The remaining two are so young; what say you all?