'Idol' curtain closes on Michael Lynche

[May 13, 2010]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The credits have rolled on "American Idol" finalist Michael Lynche.

The 26-year-old personal trainer from Queens, N.Y., was cut from the ninth season of the Fox singing competition Wednesday.

Lynche was rescued by the show's judges five weeks ago, but he received the fewest viewer votes following his predictable rendition of Michael Jackson's "Will You Be There" from "Free Willy" on Tuesday's movie-themed edition.

"It was tough," said the soulful Lynche. "It's a really big song."

Before Lynche's dismissal, Bon Jovi took the stage for "Superman Tonight." Earlier in the evening, third-season winner Fantasia Barrino crooned "Bittersweet," and fifth-season finalist Chris Daughtry and his band sang "September."

Daughtry, who came in fourth place, told the contestants to "stay hungry, and actually don't compromise the music that you love."

The other finalists remaining in the singing contest are 24-year-old musician Crystal Bowersox of Toledo, Ohio; 24-year-old paint sales clerk Lee Dewyze of Mount Prospect, Ill.; and 27-year-old musician Casey James from Fort Worth, Texas.

Next week, the final three will perform after traveling to their hometowns, with one more booted before the finale on May 26.

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[Associated Press; By DERRIK J. LANG]

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