Colton Dixon goes home in American Idol shocker

Last week, as a shocking elimination, Colton Dixon got sent packing, landing in seventh place on American Idol season 11. He hails from Murfreesboro, Tennessee. He said, "I wasn't myself last night." His Wednesday performance of Lady Gaga's "Bad Romance" was roundly criticized by the judges Randy Jackson, Steven Tyler, and Jennifer Lopez. Dixon thanked them for their honest feedback, and assured them he would incorporate it into a future album. Host Ryan Seacrest described the singer as "a class act" as he left the stage, and judge Jennifer Lopez shook her head when Dixon's dismissal was announced.

Dixon was never in the bottom 3 prior to his elimination. He was in the bottom 3 with Elise Testone and Hollie Cavanagh, both of whom had found themselves in danger of elimination in previous weeks. My favorite contestant Jessica Sanchez, who was saved by judges last week after audiences voted her off the show, received enough votes to stay out of the bottom three, as did my second favorite contestant Joshua Ledet.

Thursday night's show featured a tribute to the late Dick Clark, who died of a massive heart attack and who Seacrest cited as an inspiration and a boon to the music industry. Pop band LMFAO performed its dance hit "Sorry for Party Rockin,'" and American Idol season 8's Kris Allen took the stage to sing his song "The Vision of Love."

Michael Colton Dixon was born to Teresa and Michael Dixon on October 19, 1991, in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, the county seat of Rutherford County, Tennessee. He has a younger sister named Schyler Dixon. He graduated from Middle Tennessee Christian School in 2009. He is also a devout Christian.

Dixon originally auditioned for American Idol season 10 alongside his sister Schyler in Nashville, Tennessee, but neither of them advanced to the live shows. After he was cut in the green mile round, Dixon performed on The Ellen DeGeneres Show on March 3, 2011.

Dixon returned in season 11, however he did not plan to audition, initially planning to merely accompany his sister Schyler to her audition. The judges implored Dixon to audition as well, where he sang David Cook's "Permanent." Both he and Schyler advanced to the Hollywood Round. Schyler was cut yet again during the Las Vegas round, which brought Colton to tears. On February 23, 2012, Dixon was placed in the season 11 Top 25. In the semi-finals, he performed Paramore's "Decode." He advanced to the top 13 by public vote.