The soaring 18-year-old vocalist from McKinney, Texas, was eliminated from the Fox singing competition Thursday after it was revealed she received the fewest viewer votes.
The spritely balladeer rebounded in recent weeks after the judges took issue with Cavanagh’s lack of stage presence, but she was dismissed after crooning Journey’s “Faithfully” and Bonnie Raitt’s “I Can’t Make You Love Me” for her solo performances Wednesday.
“Idol” host Ryan Seacrest said 70 million viewer votes were cast this week.
The three finalists remaining in the competition are booming 20-year-old gospel singer Joshua Ledet of Westlake, La.; bluesy 21-year-old pawn shop worker Phillip Phillips of Leesburg, Ga.; and aspiring 16-year-old pop diva Jessica Sanchez of San Diego.
“This is a real journey,” said “Idol” judge Jennifer Lopez, who performed before the results were revealed. “This is not an easy show for these kids. For me, that’s why I feel so much when I’m watching you, all of you, not just Hollie.”
The three remaining finalists will return to their hometowns before taking the “Idol” stage next week.