CHRIS SLIGH IS ELIMINATED FROM THE �AMERICAN IDOL� COMPETITION

TOP 9 FINALISTS WILL COMPETE ON �AMERICAN CLASSICS�-THEMED PERFORMANCE SHOW TUESDAY, APRIL 3, ON FOX

Legendary Tony Bennett to Perform On Next Results Show Wednesday, April 4

The AMERICAN IDOL quest of Top 10 finalist Chris Sligh ended last night when it was announced that he received the fewest votes. Tuesday�s performance show featured the Top 10 finalists performing pop songs by Grammy Award winner Gwen Stefani and other artists who have inspired her. Sligh, 28, from Greenville, SC, sang �Every Little Thing She Does is Magic.� Over 30 million votes were received after the show. On Wednesday, Stefani performed her hit �The Sweet Escape� with Akon, and it was revealed that Sligh will not be moving forward in the competition.

Next week, television�s most popular show heats up when the Top 9 finalists (Melinda Doolittle, Gina Glocksen, LaKisha Jones, Blake Lewis, Sanjaya Malakar, Chris Richardson, Haley Scarnato, Jordin Sparks and Phil Stacey) compete head-to-head again on Tuesday, April 3 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed). Music legend Tony Bennett will mentor the contestants as they prepare for the �American Classics�-themed performance show. Tune in the following night to see Bennett, one of America�s true musical classics, perform, and find out who receives enough votes to stay in the competition and who must go home on the live results show Wednesday, April 4 (9:00-9:30 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Twenty-two-time Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Television; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.