Getting voted off on 'American Idol' could never be seen as a fun experience, but to fall at one of the final hurdles was always going to be a cruel event. The four contestants voted off the show on Thursday were just a week away from being one of the 12 finalists. They came within two minutes of fame, fans, and stardom... but instead all they had as they walked out of the studio at the end of the show was Simon Cowell's this is how it is remarks 'you really weren't all that good anyway', ringing in their ears. The voting did not throw up any surprises Asia’h Epperson, Kady Malloy, Luke Menard or Danny Noriega, and his "what eveeeer" replies, were voted out but really they could not complain as they had been under achievers for the past two or three shows. The 19-year-old Epperson impressed early in the competition, but had a tough night on Wednesday, but so did Kristy Lee Cook, who she was paired with onstage with one spot remaining, but whether it was Epperson opening the Wednesday show or Cook tear jerking story about how she pretended to be a dog when she was younger, either way Cook got the extra votes and Epperson the exit door.Epperson did have the consolation of feel good remarks from Paula Abdul the only judge who week on week manages to be surprised to see people’s dreams crushed even though it’s happened on the show every week for the past seven years. 'This is one brave, beautiful talented star,' she told Epperson. 'There’s nothing, nothing that’s going to stop you.' - strange though the great American voting public did not share the same opinion.Noriega was head to head with Chikezie for the final spot in the top 12, and Ryan Seacrest exercising a mean streak took his time drawing out the suspense, making the pair sit through a commercial break, see Epperson was eliminated, and tearfully sing for the final time on Idol before finally being called out onstage to have Ryan read them the news. A tearful Noriega then had to pull it together to make his final idol performance before joining the other three dream shattered cost offs.Earlier David Cook, David Archuleta, Jason Castro, Brooke White and Syesha Mercado were all given their spots in the top 12 before a single elimination took place. Michael Johns and David Hernandez had to wait a little longer, but each ended up on the good side of the stage with little drama from Ryan. Carly Smithson, Ramiele Malubay and Amanda Overmyer were soon dispatched to safety.

Menard and Malloy were not so lucky, but they weren't surprised either, both being vulnerable from week one, but both had avoided the chop despite little to no encouragement from the judges. Menard was labelled forgettable, Malloy 'robotic' and didn't show the same personality onstage that she did in her interviews.

Malloy hit the canvas first, smiling with an air if resignation as she stood up and patiently waiting for the impending bad news.

Menard’s fate was even more obvious, since the first five guys Ryan called upon were given free passes to the final 12.

But true to form a sad and shocked 'I never saw this coming' judge Paula stood up and told the departing pair 'This is the first day of the rest of your career and life,' obvious but little consolation as they prepared to enter the land of obscurity good old Paula.

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