IDOL Recap: And then there were 12

AMERICAN IDOL: TOP 13: Bottom Row L-R: Paul McDonald, Ashthon Jones, Pia Toscano, Casey Abrams, Haley Reinhart and Scott McCreery. Top Row L-R: James Durbin, Naima Adedapo, Jacob Lusk, Thia Megia, Karen Rodriguez, Stefano Langone and Lauren Alaina.

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By Jason Matthews

Story Created: Mar 10, 2011 at 11:25 PM EDT

Story Updated: Mar 31, 2011 at 11:11 AM EDT

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LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- America has spoken – and Ashthon Jones’ “Idol” dreams have come to an end.

The 24-year-old singer became the first member of “American Idol’s” Season 10 Top 13 to be axed via the public vote on Thursday night.

It was an all-female bottom three, as Karen Rodriguez and Haley Reinhart joined Ashthon as the three lowest vote-getters.

After hearing the news that she was the one on the chopping block – after what host Ryan Seacrest said was an impressive 30 million votes cast – Ashthon had one last chance to remain in the competition, by singing for the judges’ save.

Earlier in the show, Seacrest explained that the judges – Steven Tyler, Jennifer Lopez and Randy Jackson — have one save they can use before the competition gets to the Top 5, and it must be a unanimous decision.

Ashthon opted to perform Diana Ross’ “When You Tell Me That You Love Me,” which she had sung on Wednesday’s show to what seemed like positive reviews.

“I was a little worried seeing the song that you were doing… but I actually liked it because I saw you grow a little bit more as a singer,” Randy said on Wednesday night. “You paid attention to the notes when you were going a little sharp or flat, you pulled it back in with the vibrato, so I think you actually did yourself some good with that.”

However, her encore wasn’t enough to keep her around.

“Not this time, baby. I’m sorry,” Jennifer told a tearful Ashthon after her performance on Thursday. “It was unanimous. I’m sorry. You know I was rooting for you.”

“Idol” also unveiled what appears to be this season’s “farewell” song, as a montage of Ashthon’s brief “Idol” journey was shown, set to “Idol” Season 7 winner David Cook’s cover of Simple Minds’ “Don’t You Forget About Me.”

As reported earlier in the night on AccessHollywood.com, the Top 13 was already one member short at the beginning of the show, when Seacrest announced finalist Casey Abrams had been hospitalized.

The Top 12 remaining contestants will take the stage again on Wednesday.

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