The American Idol audience were left speechless on Thursday evening (April 19, 2012), when host Ryan Seacrest announced that Colton Dixon, 20, had been eliminated from the competition. As the judges had already used their "save" to bring back Jessica Sanchez last week, they could do nothing about the public's decision to part ways with Dixon.

Colton tried out on last year's show but was cut early on, leaving him reluctant to try again. However, the judges persuaded Dixon to try out when he accompanied sister Schyler to this year's auditions, therefore he's probably not too disheartened with a seventh place finish. Quoted backstage by TV Guide, Colton spoke of regret at choosing to sing Lady GaGa's Bad Romance on Wednesday, saying, "I regret my first song. I didn't veer stylistically from me at all, but I think I could have chosen a better song that I could connect with that had a better message for me and for my audience". When Jennifer Lopez and company used their 'save' to keep Sanchez, the contestants became all too aware that there would be no further second chances should they receive the lowest amount of votes, though Dixon sadly made a crucial mistake with his song choice. As for what's next, he promises new material that honors his faith in the near-future, saying, "I want to do Christian music - that's where my heart's at - so I'm going to start writing as soon as they let me. I'm just excited to share a gift that God gave me".

So just six remain on this year's American Idol, with Jessica Sanchez looking the one to beat, despite having to rely on the judge's save last week.