Idol viewers saw enough of Scarnato

4/12/2007

After escaping elimination for two consecutive weeks, Haley Scarnato s luck finally ran out last night when she became the latest American Idol hopeful to get the ax.

Last night marked the third week that Scarnato, 24, had been one of the bottom three vote-getters on the popular Fox singing competition.

But the brunette bombshell, known for wearing minidresses and hot pants, is headed back home to San Antonio after voters decided they didn t like her upbeat performance of Turn the Beat Around on Tuesday night during Latin music week.

The judges agreed.

That was really karaoke for me, Judge Randy Jackson said. I didn t get that at all.

Before commenting on her vocals, Judge Simon Cowell blurted out that he thought her tactic in remaining in the competition was to wear the least amount of clothing as possible. Then he turned his attention to her energetic performance.

The vocals were so rushed at the end, Cowell said. I actually couldn t understand what you were singing.

Scarnato defended her song choice Tuesday night, saying she had fun with the song that got the audience grooving.

Rounding out the bottom three vote-getters after more than 35 million votes were tallied were Phil Stacey, 29, of Jacksonville, Fla., and Chris Richardson, 22, of Chesapeake, Va.

Cowell said there was nothing in Stacey s performance of Maria Maria to get excited about.

It was a bit lifeless, a bit boring, he said.

Jackson agreed and said it wasn t his best performance.

Last night s show was not short on stars. Hip-hop singer Akon performed Don t Matter during the first half of the hour-long show before Jennifer Lopez heated up the stage.

Lopez was this week s celebrity mentor and showed several contestants some of her signature dance moves before they took the stage Tuesday night.

Seven hopefuls remain on the path to becoming the next American Idol, who will be crowned in May.