PARIS BENNETT IS ELIMINATED FROM THE "AMERICAN IDOL" COMPETITION

TOP 4 FINALISTS WILL PERFORM SONGS BY "THE KING OF ROCK 'N' ROLL" -ELVIS PRESLEY- ON NEXT WEEK'S "AMERICAN IDOL" PERFORMANCE SHOW TUESDAY, MAY 9, ON FOX

Top 3 Finalists to be Revealed on May 10 Results Show

The AMERICAN IDOL phenomenon continues as more than 45 million votes were cast this week after the Top 5 finalists performed two songs � one from the year when they were born and the other from the Top-10 Billboard charts. Last night, it was revealed that Paris Bennett received the fewest votes after Tuesday's performance show, ending her quest to become the next American Idol. Bennett, from Fayetteville, GA, sang "Kiss" and "Be Without You." Next week, put on your blue suede shoes and don't leave the building as the remaining four contestants each perform two songs by the original (Hound) Dog � Elvis Presley. To prepare, the finalists will travel to Graceland for an Elvis workshop with music mogul Tommy Mottola.

So far this season AMERICAN IDOL shows incredible growth compared to the same telecasts last year, increasing +13% among Adults 18-49 (12.6/31 vs. 11.2/28), +11% among Adults 18-34 (11.5/32 vs. 10.4/30), +7% among Teens (9.2/28 vs. 8.6/27) and +15% in Total Viewers (30.5 vs. 26.6 Mil).

"It's Now or Never" as the Top 4 finalists (Chris Daughtry, Taylor Hicks, Katharine McPhee and Elliott Yamin) sing their favorite songs by the King of Rock 'n' Roll on Tuesday, May 9 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed). Tune in the following night to find out who receives enough votes to stay in the competition and who goes to "Heartbreak Hotel" on the AMERICAN IDOL results show Wednesday, May 10 (9:00-9:32 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Fourteen-time Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment, Ltd.; 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.

Go to AmericanIdol.com for all of your AMERICAN IDOL news. Check out photos from the different audition cities, along with special, behind-the-scenes information on AMERICAN IDOL. For photos of the finalists, please go to www.foxflash.com.