Castro and His Dreads Kicked Off 'Idol'

By Dan Whitcomb,

Posted: 2008-05-08 07:49:01

LOS ANGELES (May 8) - Jason Castro, the mellow singer whose dreadlocked good looks earned the devotion of countless teenage girls, was voted off "American Idol" Wednesday, leaving three finalists to compete for the show's top prize.

The departure of Castro, 20, whittled the competition on the top-rated TV talent show down to scruffy alternative rocker David Cook, baby-faced crooner David Archuleta and last-girl-standing Syesha Mercado.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Eliminated: Chikezie Eze

Age: 22 | Hometown: Inglewood, Calif.
Background: Chikezie made it to Hollywood in season six but fell short of the Top 24.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Eliminated: Amanda Overmyer

Age: 23 | Hometown: Mulberry, Ind. Background: The Harley-riding, rock 'n' roll nurse survived a bad car accident after her Atlanta audition.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Eliminated: David Hernandez

Age: 24 | Hometown: Glendale, Ariz.
Background: After suffering from nerves during his San Diego audition, David wowed the judges during Hollywood week with his rendition of 'Love the One You're With.'

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

David Archuleta

Age: 17 | Hometown: Murray, Utah
Background: David won the junior singer category of 'Star Search' in 2003. He overcame vocal paralysis to audition in San Diego.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Jason Castro

Age: 20 | Hometown: Rockwall, Texas
Background: Jason starred as the love interest of the title character in the MTV series 'Cheyenne.'

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Brooke White

Age: 24 | Hometown: Mesa, Ariz.
Background: The nanny, who claims to have never seen an R-rated movie released an album, 'Songs From the Attic,' in 2005 and reportedly opened for Phil Vassar on tour.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

David Cook

Age: 25 | Hometown: Blue Springs, Mo.
Background: David was a fixture in the Heartland music scene in the bands Midwest Kings and Axium. He released a solo album, 'Analog Heart.'

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Michael Lee Johns

Age: 29 | Hometown: Los Angeles
Background: The native Australian fronted a band, The Rising, which was once signed to Maverick.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Carly Smithson

Age: 23 | Hometown: San Diego
Background: The native Irish singer tried out for season 5, but visa problems disqualified her. Under her maiden name, Carly Hennessy, she released a record, 'Ultimate High,' for MCA in 2001.

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Ramiele Malubay

Age: 20 | Hometown: Miramar, Fla.
Background: The Filipino-American stands only 4'11" and aspires to be the next Jasmine Trias (season 3).

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Syesha Mercado

Age: 21 | Hometown: Sarasota, Fla.
Background: The daughter of a Motown singer, Syesha appeared as a contestant on the short-lived ABC reality competition, 'The One: Making a Music Star.'

'American Idol' Season 7: Top 12

Kristy Lee Cook

Age: 24 | Hometown: Selma, Ore.
Background: The horseback-riding, cage-fighting country singer was once signed by Arista (and linked to Britney Spears' production company).

Castro had been advised to pack his suitcase by no-nonsense "Idol" judge Simon Cowell Tuesday after bungling the lyrics to Bob Dylan's 1965 classic "Mr Tambourine Man" and showed little surprise as he was given the hook.

He smiled broadly and clapped as host Ryan Seacrest broke the news and laughed during his final performance, a version of Bob Marley's "I Shot the Sheriff."

The Texas-born Castro, who collected the fewest votes from viewers, was booted in the final minutes of the show after performances by pop rockers Maroon 5 and season four finalist Bo Bice.

He attributed his downfall to his inexperience, telling Seacrest that he had tried to pick songs he was familiar with but "even then I screwed it up."

Seacrest said nearly 51 million votes were cast on the show this week, a season high.

So Long, Castro

His Dylan Flub

"American Idol" pits singers from across the country against one another in a months-long competition. Past winners such as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood have gone on to music stardom.

While "Idol" remains America's most-watched TV show, this year has seen its second straight season of declining ratings. Variety has reported that Nielsen data showed "Idol" was averaging 28.9 million viewers on its Tuesday and Wednesday night broadcasts -- down 8 percent from 31.3 million one year ago at this point.

The show's winner, who is awarded a recording contract, will be announced during the live finale in May.

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. All active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

2008-05-08 07:32:21

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148 comments

PUPMOBILE 12:40:23 PM May 16 2008

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Jason sucked plain and simple. A lot of young girls must've liked those ugly dreadlocks. Nasty.

PUPMOBILE 12:37:03 PM May 16 2008

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You know that David A's dad wanted him to change the words to a song and American Idol told them NOT to do it because of the laws protecting the songs, But David A sang the song with the changes anyway and seeing that it was live they couldn't stop it and it cost AI a big fine. The song stunk anyway because it was his usual boreing ballad. A legend in his own mind.

PUPMOBILE 12:25:40 PM May 16 2008

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Jason stunk, don't know why he didn't get booted off a long time ago. David A is about as boreing as they come. He will never be a star. He has a nice voice but zero in the personality and stage presence department. No one will buy his music. David Cook has it! He will not fade away. We haven't seen the last of Michael John, Carley and Siesha. David A will not do anything after the tour is over. He is a Mary Poppins and that will not sell.If you noticed when Siesha was voted off he didn't have any hugs for her, he is full of himself.

makeminevawine 11:12:10 AM May 09 2008

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I agree with many other posters about Jason's hair. I truly think that he would have been better off by losing the dreads. He's a decent looking dude, but they totally ruined the entire package. The same was true with Carly. She was obviously talented, but you just couldn't get past leering at the tattoos. Jason needs to wake up and realize he'd be better off (for any possible future career) without all those lame dreadlocks.

makeminevawine 11:02:54 AM May 09 2008

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David A may be "talented", but does not deserve the AI win for this year. He lacks a lot of stage prescence and needs more personality. Frankly, I got tired of seeing that goofy grin of his about 8 weeks ago. Syesha may be the long shot of this race.....who knows. Weirder things have happened before. The ones who DON'T win are usually the ones who make it big anyway.

Thetruthtroll 10:30:24 AM May 09 2008

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HIS HAIR?

What did he do to his hair and why? Does he shampoo his hair in Draino Lye nightly? The Idol program showed pictures of Castro when he was growing up with his parents and brother and they are all WHITE PEOPLE. When he was a young kid his hair was normal and he looks like any other WHITE KID. What happened. Is Jason trying to pass?

STASMACK 09:26:22 AM May 09 2008

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THIS "STORY" IS AS OLD AS STALE BREAD.....

THIS IS THE BEST AOL, THE ISP FOR 12 YEAROLDS CAN DO?

IT MAKES A STRONG CASE FOR FIRING OF THE EDITORS OF AOL....

THE HELL WITH IDOL, IT'S SPONSORS AND THE NITWIT VIEWERS IT PANDERS TO....

craigandkirsten 07:32:33 AM May 09 2008

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I haven't been a Jason fan for a while, however, I feel sorry for his fans. They have wasted their votes this whole time. He gets to the 5th spot and then mouths "don't vote" after he's done singing and is actually happy he didn't make it. Unfortunate for those who got voted off earlier and would have appreciated his top spot.

k21bhL 07:19:15 AM May 09 2008

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One word "STUNK"!

nervisnel 07:17:36 AM May 09 2008

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I think David A will win even if he doesnt get all the votes. I truley believe that David Cook should win. But he doesn't have a chance because the judges want David A to win. IM loosing interest in Idol, just seems rigged. ;-(. Just like the voting for the President.

Michaelluongo 12:26:22 AM May 09 2008

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Why does anybody give a wet slap about American Idol? Honestly, all these BS entertainment things are like the Roman Empire's "bread and circuses" except the government and the corporations seem to keep trying to take away the bread from people who have to work for a living.

starpatchsam 12:21:50 AM May 09 2008

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Sobadwilks

EXACTLY HOW I FEEL... David Cook is also more entertaining

Sobadwilks 12:12:43 AM May 09 2008

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Jason should of went a looooong time ago! Everything always sounded the SAME?
Love David Cook!! Hope he wins as he is so much more versatile.. David A although he is a great singer - -he is is kinda in the "Clay Aiken" genre of music.
In other words David Cook is more "Marketable" record wise. Any way which ever
David wins both have a great future ahead.... agreed!!

ANDY1AIMEE 10:40:46 PM May 08 2008

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Did he really say "Don't vote" at the end of his performance???

Jevillega 10:39:29 PM May 08 2008

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Jason was my favorite. I guess I like his voice, but then I like Rod Stewarts voice and Bob Dylan's voice. I think a lot of people who don't like Jason have a very narrow appreciation of music. I hate dirty dreadlock most of the time, his were okay. The eyes and smile incredible. Mostly though, I love his style. David Cook, not so much!

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