‘American Idol’ Shocker As Fan Favorite Gets Sent Home

First Published: April 19, 2012 9:23 PM EDT Credit: FOX

Caption The Top 7 on ‘American Idol’

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- With no judges’ save left on the table, “American Idol” had to send one of its Top 7 home on Thursday night and the person who got the boot proved to be a shocker.

(SPOILER – this story contains the elimination results of “Idol.”)

After the Bottom 3 — Hollie Cavanagh, Elise Testone and Colton Dixon — were revealed, host Ryan Seacrest eventually told spiky-haired Colton he was going home.

“I need to apologize,” Colton said after learning the news he was going home. “I wasn’t myself last night and I get it…

“I appreciate what you told me last night,” he said to the judging panel, who liked his Lady Gaga “Bad Romance” cover on Wednesday, but didn’t think his version of “September” (from Earth, Wind & Fire) suited him best. “I’ll take that when I’m making a record and I’ll choose [better] songs.”

Fans had to wonder if Randy Jackson, Jennifer Lopez and Steven Tyler were reconsidering having saved Jessica Sanchez the week before as Colton too was a big favorite.

Thursday night, in fact, was his first time in the Bottom 3 all season.

“You’ll make many records, many records,” Jennifer told Colton, following his elimination.

“You have a huge career ahead of you, man,” Randy added.

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