MARCUS AND NIC ELIMINATED FROM UPN'S "THE ROAD TO STARDOM WITH MISSY ELLIOTT"

Both Performers Asked to Leave the Tour in a Shocking Elimination Ceremony

In a shocking elimination ceremony, both Marcus, a 24-year-old security guard from Houston, and Nic, a 29-year-old disc jockey from Aliso Viejo, Calif., became the fifth and sixth performers eliminated from UPN�s new dramality series, THE ROAD TO STARDOM WITH MISSY ELLIOTT, reducing the pool from eight participants to six.

After the challengers flew to Las Vegas and settled into a luxurious Palms Hotel suite, Mona dropped by the room to test if the vocalists could withstand criticism, specifically from their fellow participants. Concerned, Matt spoke for the group when saying that Marcus needed to be mindful of his health and weight as an active stage performer. Things got heated, though, when Jessica told Nic, "I'm going to be one of the last ones standing here, but I'm not going to be cocky and arrogant and make people hate my guts." Angered, Nic said, "I don't need anybody's approval here."

Later, the performers stepped into the ring, literally, for a head-to-head freestyle challenge with referee WBO Heavyweight Champion Lamon Brewster. The group was stunned to discover that the guest judges were their previously eliminated competitors. During the individual match-ups, Nic offended everyone by using harsh lyrics to personally attack Nilyne, who had earlier ended their romance. Eventually, Deltrice entered the ring and knocked out Eddie, Marcus and new close friend Jessica by popular vote.

Although impressed by most of the performances, the judges felt that Nic's vulgar rap was uncalled for and out of character. Dallas said, "That to me is outside the game." Mona concluded, "This forum really showed his weakness." Then, Teena added, "Marcus was surprisingly weak." Mona agreed, saying, "This was more of an opportunity (for him) to come off the top and be in the moment, and that's what he has a problem with."

Ultimately, the judges offered Marcus and Nic up to Missy for final elimination. Back in the ring, Marcus didn't offer Missy any excuses for his weak freestyle. Instead, he said, "I think that, you know, I can sing and basically I need to stick to my guns." Meanwhile, Missy asked Nic, "Why you so angry tonight, man?�You took it to the streets with her. It's obviously a little more personal with you." Unapologetic, Nic responded, "You say you throw me in the ring�I do not lose. You know, I'm going to do whatever it takes to win."

In the end, Missy stood before the pair and said, "Both of y'all lacked what was being asked, so for me, I have to say that both of y'all are off the tour."

On UPN'S THE ROAD TO STARDOM WITH MISSY ELLIOTT, 13 aspiring vocal performers travel coast-to-coast with Grammy Award-winning artist Missy Elliott, living together on the road in an austere tour bus and competing against each other for a record contract, a released single and $100,000. Missy leads the panel of music industry judges, including Grammy Award-nominated R&B artist Teena Marie, Grammy Award-winning producer Dallas Austin, and president of Violator Management Mona Scott.

THE ROAD TO STARDOM WITH MISSY ELLIOTT airs Wednesday (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on UPN.

RATING: To Be Announced