ERIKA VAN PELT ELIMINATED ON "AMERICAN IDOL"

TOP NINE FINALISTS SING SONGS FROM THEIR OWN IDOLS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28, ON FOX

Nicki Minaj and Season 10 Winner Scotty McCreery to Perform on Next Results Show Thursday, March 29

Erika Van Pelt was eliminated tonight on AMERICAN IDOL after she received the fewest votes among the finalists. On tonight's results show, Lana Del Rey performed her smash hit "Video Games" and Season 10 alum Haley Reinhart returned to the IDOL stage to debut her new single, "Free."

Next week, on Wednesday, March 28 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), the Top Nine - DeAndre Brackensick, Hollie Cavanagh, Colton Dixon, Heejun Han, Skylar Laine, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez and Elise Testone - return to the IDOL stage to sings songs from their own Idols.

Tune in the following night, Thursday, March 29 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) to the live results show to find out which of the Top Nine finalists is sent home. In addition, Nicki Minaj will take the stage and perform her megahit "Starships" and Season 10 IDOL winner and platinum-selling country artist Scotty McCreery will return to perform his newest single, "Water Tower Town."

Become a fan of AMERICAN IDOL on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AmericanIdol. Follow the series on Twitter @AmericanIdol and join the discussion at #Idol. Also, follow host Ryan Seacrest at @RyanSeacrest, and follow the judges: @yo_randyjackson; @JLo; and @iamstevent.

AMERICAN IDOL is produced by 19 Entertainment, a division of CKX, Inc. and FremantleMedia North America, Inc. The series is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, CEO, XIX Entertainment, and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; and Nigel Lythgoe, CEO, Nigel Lythgoe Productions.

See what happens every Thursday when the show ends, but the cameras keep rolling, as the eliminated finalist says an emotional goodbye and exits the IDOL stage. Visit www.americanidol.com for this exclusive insider's view each week after the West Coast broadcast of the results show, as well as for exclusive videos, interviews, photos and special behind-the-scenes information.

Fans should check out FOX Super Perks for amazing once-in-a-lifetime experiential prizes with their favorite FOX show. This month, IDOL fans can enter for a chance to win a trip for two to attend an AMERICAN IDOL live performance show. For more details on the AMERICAN IDOL Performance Sweepstakes, please visit www.fox.com/superperks.