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Seventeen year old Sanjaya Malakar, survived the elimination round of the popular reality series American Idol on Thursday night.
The first Indian American and the youngest among the 12 male contestants -- survived elimination despite some rather bad reviews from the judges.
His rendition of a Stevie Wonder classic failed to impress the judges who termed his attempt as 'boring'. Randy Jackson said the song was too big for him, but it was Simon Cowell who ripped Sanjaya to pieces saying his voice was 'weak and soft' and that there was 'nothing special' about the song.
However, the viewers did not think. Amy Krebs, Nicole Tranquillo, Paul Kim and Rudy Cardenas got the boot instead, as the show narrowed the 24 semifinalists down to 20.
The four were cast out by viewers getting their first chance to vote in the top-rated talent contest's sixth season.
The 24 singers -- 12 men and 12 women -- struggled through the show's early auditions and last week's emotional Hollywood rounds to get to this point.
The contestants have been divided on gender basis where two from each group will be sent home every week till the last 12-- men and 6 women, who will then perform at CBS Television City, Los Angeles from March 13 onwards.
The finale will be held in May at the Kodak Theatre.