Paul McDonald is eliminated on AMERICAN IDOL

Top 7 perform songs from 21st Century; Katy Perry and David to perform on next results show

AMERICAN IDOL: Paul McDonald is eliminated on the Thursday, April 14 episode of AMERICAN IDOL.

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By Jason Matthews

Story Created: Apr 15, 2011 at 8:08 AM EDT

Story Updated: Apr 24, 2011 at 12:04 PM EDT

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Finalist Paul McDonald was eliminated Thursday on AMERICAN IDOL after he received the fewest of America’s more than 53 million votes. On Wednesday’s performance show, the Top 8 performed songs from the movies, and McDonald, 26, from Huntsville, AL, sang “Old Time Rock and Roll.” Tonight’s episode also featured performances by Season One IDOL winner Kelly Clarkson with country music superstar Jason Aldean and Grammy Award-winning pop icon Rihanna.

On Wednesday, April 20 (8:00-9:30 PM), the Top 7 finalists – Casey Abrams, Lauren Alaina, James Durbin, Stefano Langone, Jacob Lusk, Scotty McCreery and Haley Reinhart – return to the IDOL stage to perform songs from the 21st century.

Tune in the following night, Thursday, April 21 (8:00-9:00 PM), to the live results show to find out who receives enough votes to stay in the competition and who is sent home. In addition, Season Seven IDOL winner David Cook will perform his latest hit, “The Last Goodbye,” and pop sensation Katy Perry will perform “E.T.,” the fourth No. 1 single off her Grammy-nominated album “Teenage Dream.”

Fans can view the official profiles for each of the finalists atwww.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 (@americanidol).

Emmy Award-winning AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller 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.