Rocker Paul McDonald's dreams of stardom were cut short tonight after he was knocked out of American Idol - the first male in the top 13 to get the boot.
Before leaving the stage, the 25-year-old, from Nashville, sang Maggie May one last time at the special request of judge Jennifer Lopez who was close to tears at his exit.
'Let's not be sad about this,' the latest cast-off said as he got the crowd to its feet. 'It's been good fun, a good ride, it's been good times.'
Scruffy bearded McDonald had been in the bottom three with fellow contestants Haley Reinhart and Stefano Langone after his version of Old Time Rock and Roll from the movie Risky Business failed to impress audiences.
After over 53 million votes were cast, McDonald is the first male to be eliminated and actually sent home since the top 12 - after Casey Abrams was saved by the judges two weeks ago.
Stefano has received praise from the judges last night for putting on his best performance of the competition so far so it was surprising to see him him in the bottom three again - but with Idol there are no guarantees.
Before leaving the stage, the 25-year-old, from Nashville, sang Maggie May one last time at the special request of judge Jennifer Lopez who was close to tears at his exit.
'Let's not be sad about this,' the latest cast-off said as he got the crowd to its feet. 'It's been good fun, a good ride, it's been good times.'
Sent packing: Rocker Paul McDonald was the first male to be voted off of this season's American Idol on tonight's live show and was given the news by host Ryan Seacrest
Sad: Judge Jennifer Lopez was close to tears when the results were read out and asked him to sing Maggie May as his final song
After over 53 million votes were cast, McDonald is the first male to be eliminated and actually sent home since the top 12 - after Casey Abrams was saved by the judges two weeks ago.
Stefano has received praise from the judges last night for putting on his best performance of the competition so far so it was surprising to see him him in the bottom three again - but with Idol there are no guarantees.