Final Four Named On ‘American Idol’ As Contestant Is Sent Home

‬‪”American Idol” Season 10 has named its final four.

James Durbin, Lauren Alaina, Scotty McCreery and Haley Reinhart will battle it out for the crown, following Jacob Lusk’s elimination on Thursday night.

After a shaky set of performances on Wednesday night on his part, it was Jacob, the young man often compared to Luther Vandross, who was let go on Thursday evening’s program.

“I got to share a little bit with America and Americans fell in love with me and now I can go and put out that good feelin’ R&B music that reminds you of Luther, that reminds you of those great old singers,” Jacob told show host Ryan Seacrest after learning the elimination news. “I get to come out and put that out.”

Jacob’s elimination didn’t come as much of a surprise as his first round song on Wednesday – “No Air,” in which he sang both Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown’s parts – featured a few bum notes and created an air of confusion among the judges.

Randy even said Jacob made a wrong move, selecting the pop number instead of the R&B numbers he’d filled his “Idol” career with.

“I think you’re one of the greatest singers here… I don’t think that’s the direction for you,” Randy, who once said Jacob’s audition round performance was the best vocal “ever” on “Idol,” commented on Wednesday night after Jacob sang “No Air.”

“Be the new Luther; be the new of that; don’t be the Chris Brown, Rihanna,” Randy added.

And it appeared Jacob took Randy’s advice, albeit a bit too late for the competition.

His final song as the credits rolled was “A House Is Not A Home,” a Luther standard.

While Jacob’s elimination wasn’t very shocking, Lauren Alaina’s placement in the bottom two was.

The teenager had tears pouring down her face earlier in the night after she saw her competitors, James, Scotty and even Haley, who failed to earn high praise with the judges when she performed an unreleased Lady Gaga song the night before, head to the safety zone.

Luckily for Lauren, she was saved thanks to Jacob’s elimination, and she composed herself enough to cheer on Jacob during his final number.

In related “Idol” elimination night news, judge Jennifer Lopez actually hit the stage on Thursday’s show, performing her hit, “On The Floor.”

Additionally, FOX star Gordon Ramsay stopped by for a spot of “Hell’s Kitchen” style taste tests with the contestants.

“American Idol” returns to FOX next Wednesday at 8 PM ET/PT.‬