ELISE TESTONE ELIMINATED ON "AMERICAN IDOL"

COUNTDOWN TO GRAND FINALE BEGINS AS TOP FIVE FINALISTS PERFORM LIVE WEDNESDAY, MAY 2, ON FOX

Season Four AMERICAN IDOL Winner and Grammy Award Winner Carrie Underwood and World-Renowned Rock Band Coldplay to Perform on Next Results Show Thursday, May 3

Last night, America cast a season-high 58 million votes for their favorite finalists on AMERICAN IDOL. Tonight, host Ryan Seacrest revealed that Elise Testone received the fewest number of votes and was eliminated from the competition. Also on tonight's results show, Katy Perry performed her hit, "Part of Me," and AMERICAN IDOL Season 10 finalist Stefano Langone performed his new single, "I'm On A Roll," featuring Ben J of New Boyz. In addition, the official touring Queen tribute, The Queen Extravaganza, performed Queen's classic smash hit "Somebody To Love," along with original Queen members Brian May and Roger Taylor.

With only four performance shows left in the season, tune in next week, Wednesday, May 2 (8:00-10:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), when the Top Five - Hollie Cavanagh, Skylar Laine, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips and Jessica Sanchez - return to the IDOL stage to sing for America's votes on a British music-themed performance show.

Don't miss the live results show the following night, Thursday, May 3 (8:00-9:00 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed), when another finalist is sent home. In addition, Grammy Award-winning, multi-platinum artist Carrie Underwood will perform. One of AMERICAN IDOL's most successful winners, Underwood has sold more than 12 million records worldwide. Another Grammy Award-winning, chart-topping act, the world-famous alternative rock band Coldplay, also will perform, hitting the IDOL stage for the first time.

The Top Five finalists are:

Hollie Cavanagh Hometown: McKinney, TX Age: 18 Keep up with Hollie at: www.twitter.com/CavanaghAI11 www.facebook.com/CavanaghAI11

Skylar Laine Hometown: Brandon, MS Age: 18 Keep up with Skylar at: www.twitter.com/SLaineAI11 www.facebook.com/SLaineAI11

Joshua Ledet Hometown: Westlake, LA Age: 20 Keep up with Joshua at: www.twitter.com/JLedetAI11 www.facebook.com/JLedetAI11

Phillip Phillips Hometown: Leesburg, GA Age: 21 Keep up with Phillip at: www.twitter.com/PPhillipsAI11 www.facebook.com/PPhillipsAI11

Jessica Sanchez Hometown: San Diego, CA Age: 16 Keep up with Jessica at: www.twitter.com/JSanchezAI11 www.facebook.com/JSanchezAI11

"Like" 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.