ASHTHON JONES IS ELIMINATED ON "AMERICAN IDOL"

JUDGES' SAVE RETURNS AGAIN THIS SEASON

TOP 12 PERFORM SONGS FROM THE YEAR THEY WERE BORN WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16, ON FOX

The Black Eyed Peas and Lee DeWyze to Perform on Next Results Show Thursday, March 17

Finalist Ashthon Jones was eliminated tonight on AMERICAN IDOL after she received the fewest of America's votes. On Wednesday's performance show, the Top 13 performed songs by their music idols, and Jones, 24, from Valdosta, GA, sang "When You Tell Me That You Love Me." In addition, Adam Lambert sang his latest hit, "Aftermath," and Diddy-Dirty Money featuring Skylar Grey took the stage to perform "Coming Home."

It was also announced tonight that the Judges' Save returns this season. Like last year, up until only five finalists remain, the judges - if they unanimously agree - have the option to save from elimination the finalist receiving the lowest number of votes. The judges do not have to save a finalist during the competition. However, if they choose to use the Judges' Save, they may only do so once during the season. The following week, the two finalists receiving the lowest number of votes will be eliminated.

On Wednesday, March 16 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), the Top 12 (Casey Abrams, Naima Adedapo, Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Stefano Langone, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery, Paul McDonald, Thia Megia, Haley Reinhart, Karen Rodriguez and Pia Toscano) return to the IDOL stage to perform songs from the year they were born.

Tune in the following night, Thursday, March 17 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), to the live results show to see performances by Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum pop superstars The Black Eyed Peas and IDOL Season Nine winner Lee DeWyze, as well as to find out who receives enough votes to stay in the competition and who is sent home.

Fans can view the full official profiles for each of the Top 12 finalists at www.americanidol.com/contestants. Keep up with the latest AMERICAN IDOL news on the AMERICAN IDOL Facebook page at www.facebook.com/americanidol. And be sure to check out the official AMERICAN IDOL Twitter for the scoop straight from the IDOL set at www.twitter.com/americanidol (@americanidol).

Emmy Award-winning AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, Founder, 19 Entertainment, a division of CKX, Inc; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; and Nigel Lythgoe, President, Big Red 2 Entertainment. AMERICAN IDOL has been No. 1 among Adults 18-49 for the past seven consecutive seasons and currently ranks as the No. 1 television show of the 2010-11 season.

Visit americanidol.com for additional information regarding AMERICAN IDOL voting, as well as exclusive videos, interviews and photos, as well as special behind-the-scenes information and all of your AMERICAN IDOL news.