American Idol 2010 Didi Benami Eliminated; Jedi Tim Urban Still on Show

March 31, 2010. American Idol 2010 Season 9 elimination night started out with a performance of 'Don't Make 'em Like U No More' by Season 2's Ruben Studdard, who has become a vegan and is working out in the gym- that's how he explained his weight loss. Michael 'Big Mike' Lynche was brought to Center Stage to meet him. And Big Mike looked rather petite next to Ruben. Speaking of reduction, the Top 10 of the singing competition will be reduced to its Top 9 tonight. The host is Ryan Seacrest. The judges are- Randy Jackson; Ellen DeGeneres; Kara DioGuardi; Simon Cowell.

After last night's votes, the verdict is in. And the sequence of finding out who is safe and who was one of the bottom three took the course of an hour.

Seated upon a two-tier bench on Left Stage (audience's right) were two rows of the Top 10 nervous singers yet in the dark about their fates. Lee DeWyze was the first to stand up and learn he was safe. Casey James was next. And then Aaron Kelly. Then came the drama when Ryan asked Katie Stevens and Siobhan Magnus to stand up. He asked his cat-and-mouse questions of Siobhan, who was severely trounced by Simon last night. He asked her about the trouncing. She didn't make excuses for her performance- which I thought was great even though Simon said it was her worst. She added that the video clip showing her walking dejectedly after the trouncing didn't mean she was defeated or had given up. The audience applauded loudly. Ryan pronounced Siobhan safe and sent Katie to Right Stage so that she could take a seat on one of the three stools reserved for the three singers with the least votes.

This week's mentor, Usher- actor and recording artist with dynamite moves- performed 'OMG' with his singer-dancer ensemble featuring will.i.am. Then the show returned to the elimination process.

Ryan told Didi Benami to stand up and then sent her to sit with Katie Stevens in the bottom-three zone. Ryan messed with Michael 'Big Mike' Lynche's mind and let Big Mike think he was in the bottom three but then pronounced Mike safe. Big Mike picked up Ryan, threw him onto a shoulder, and spun him around. Then Big Mike put Ryan down and resumed his seat in the safety zone. After Ryan regained his equilibrium, he pronounced Crystal Bowersox to be safe. No surprise there. Then, Tim Urban and Andrew Garcia were told to stand up. Tim was sent to the bottom-three zone; Andrew was pronounced safe.

Ryan joined the three singers with the least votes. He sent Katie Stevens back to the safety zone. Then, Diddy - Dirty Money performed 'Hello, Good Morning'. Afterward Diddy's singing act, Ryan approached Didi Benami and Tim Urban. He told them that the person leaving the show was... Didi and then congratulated Tim.

Didi Benami, 23, of Los Angeles, California was eliminated by America's votes. Last night, she sang Jimmy Ruffin's 'What Becomes of the BrokenHearted'. For her swan song tonight, she reprised Stevie Nicks' 'Rhiannon'. During her performance, the judges conferred as to whether or not to save her- the decision has to be unanimous. They're allowed one save per season. If they don't use it, they lose it once the show is left with its Top 5. After Didi finished singing, chairman Simon told her that the judges would not use the 'save' on her.

Next week on Tuesday night, the Top 9 will perform. The top three singers favored to win seem to be Janis-Joplin-like mega-talent Crystal Bowersox, undoubtedly; Siobhan Magnus with her Adam-Lambert-like-unpredictability; silver-gold-voiced likeable Michael 'Big Mike' Lynche. Tim Urban has a career no matter what happens because of his major tween appeal.

Of course, the Top 10 Tour is bound to launch all the singers into music careers of some genre. But next week's bottom three will likely be Andrew Garcia, Katie Stevens (as usual), and possibly Tim Urban. In the Top 9, are six guys and three girls. And here they are- listed here with their ages, hometowns, and the songs from the Rhythm & Blues and Soul genres that kept them in the singing competition:

Aaron Kelly, 16, Sonestone, Penn. - Bill Withers' 'Ain't No Sunshine' -

Andrew Garcia, 24, Moreno Valley, Calif. - Chris Brown's 'Forever' -

Casey James, 27, Fort Worth, Texas. - Sam and Dave's 'Hold On, I'm Coming' -

Crystal Bowersox, 24, Elliston, Ohio. - Gladys Knight's 'Midnight Train to Georgia' -

Katie Stevens, 17, Middlebury, Conn. - Aretha Franklin's 'Chain of Fools' -

Lee DeWyze, 23, Chicago, Ill. - 'Treat Her Like a Lady' by the Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose -

Michael 'Big Mike' Lynche, 26, St. Petersburg, Fla. - India.Arie's 'Ready for Love' -

Siobhan Magnus, 20, Cape Cod, Mass. - Chaka Khan's 'Through the Fire' -

Tim Urban, 20, Duncanville, Texas. - Anita Baker's 'Sweet Love' -

Related articles:
American Idol Crystal Bowersox Incredible - the Force is with Jedi Tim Urban;
Hot Tween-Appeal Tim Urban- Check Out His Abs- He Doesn't Need American Idol;
American Idol 2010 Miley Cyrus Mentors Top 11- Boosts Confidence; Crystal, Michael, Siobhan Sing Best;
Glassblower Beauty Siobhan Magnus- American Idol's Exciting & Unpredictable New Star;
American Idol 2010 Siobhan Magnus Hit Girls' Bases-Loaded Home Run on Rolling Stones Night
American Idol 2010 It's Yours to Lose Crystal Bowersox; 'Give Me One Reason' Why Not;
Hallelujah! Ellen DeGeneres Hugs Tim Urban, Big Mike is Best W/ 'This Woman's Work';