James Durbin Voted Off on Tonight’s ‘American Idol’

It was quite an upset on 'American Idol' tonight, as rocker James Durbin was sent packing. The judges had previously proclaimed that Durbin was the frontrunner, saying it was his competition to lose and applauded him for turning in superior performance after superior performance. Unfortunately, America didn't agree and sent the singer on his way.

The cameras panned to Jennifer Lopez when the news broke that Durbin was going home and that country singer Scotty McCreery was staying, and there was a steady stream of tears falling down her face.

Durbin, while visibly saddened by his elimination, offered up a few positive sentiments that make us feel confident that this blow won't be debilitating for him. "I worked so damn hard to get here, I was hoping to get there, I did so much that's never been done on the show before," he said. "In my mind and what I believe, I did what I came here to do and that was to give metal a chance." Two horns up, James, for having the guts to perform hard rock, metal and ballads on the 'American Idol' stage all season long.

His parting song was Paul McCartney's 'Maybe I'm Amazed,' and while it's always awkward to have someone sing right after receiving such bad news, Durbin sang the song in his signature James Durbin way, as though all was right with the world. Maybe the judges are wishing they'd held onto their single 'save' card until deeper stages of the competition.

But once again, that's the moot-est of points. James Durbin will be missed. Lauren Alaina, Scotty McCreery and Haley Reinhart remain to duke it out by performing three songs a piece next week. The Final 3 are in place and it's officially do-or-die time.

Watch James Durbin and Scotty McCreery Perform 'Start a Band' on 'American Idol'