AI season 12: Devin Velez eliminated

Pia Ranada

This is AI generated summarization, which may have errors. For context, always refer to the full article.

Devin Velez goes home after judges decide not to save him

GOODBYE DEVIN. After Devin's elimination, only 7 remain. Photo from the 'American Idol' Facebook page

MANILA, Philippines – Devin Velez, once dubbed “The Spanish Ken Doll” by American Idol judge Nicki Minaj, is the 3rd Top 10 finalist to be sent home after the March 28 (March 29 in Manila) episode of American Idol Season 12.

His elimination followed a catastrophic group performance featuring him, Burnell Taylor and Lazaro Arbos. Minaj had been so disappointed that she demanded they leave the stage. It drove AI mentor Jimmy Iovine to call the group “Wrong Direction.”

At the beginning of results night, Iovine predicted that Florida ice cream scooper Lazaro Arbos would be the one sent home. Hollywood Reporter commented, “After several weeks of Arbos continually flubbing lyrics and wilting under the Idol lights, who could argue with Iovine? After all, it was Arbos who struggled the most in the show’s failed group number.”

But America did not agree and despite Velez’ plea for clemency with his performance of Perry Como’s “Impossible,” the judges did not grant him a save.

Watch Devin’s last AI performance here:


Hollywood Reporter theorizes that though Velez’ performances were far better than Arbos’, Idol viewers may not have appreciated his comment to Ryan Seacrest alluding that Arbos was the group’s weak link. And because he had been in the bottom 3 before, his fan base may not have been strong enough to begin with.

But his elimination came as a shock to some.

According to Hollywood Reporter, “When Randy Jackson informed the audience that the save would not be used, the look on Seacrest’s face was one of absolute shock. Clearly, he was stunned, and it took a second before he flipped into robo-host mode to introduce Velez’s ‘goodbye’ package.”

All the Top 10 finalists to be eliminated so far are guys, supporting the claim that this season, the girls rule.

The finalists still left standing are:

  1. Kree Harrison
  2. Candice Glover
  3. Janelle Arthur
  4. Amber Holcomb
  5. Angie Miller
  6. Lazaro Arbos
  7. Burnell Taylor

– Rappler.com

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Pia Ranada

Pia Ranada is Rappler’s Community Lead, in charge of linking our journalism with communities for impact.