American Idol boots Brandon Rogers

March 18, 2007

New York - Brandon Rogers forgot the words to his song on Tuesday's "American Idol" and was the first of the final dozen to be voted off the top-rated Fox network sing-off.

Brandon Rogers forgot the words to his song on Tuesday's American Idol and was the first of the final dozen to be voted off the top-rated Fox network sing-off.

Neither Rogers nor viewers seemed surprised by the results, especially after he forgot the words during the middle of his performance.

More startling were the other two finalists in the bottom two-military man Phil Stacey and 17-year-old Sanjaya Malakar, whose performance of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" on Tuesday's show brought judge Randy Jackson to tears - from laughing so hard.

Filling out the rest of the half hour was a group medley by the finalists of three Supremes songs - "Where Did Our Love Go," "Baby Love" and "Stop in the Name of Love."

Ross also showed up in full Las Vegas diva mode - donned in a flowing red see-through gown with boa in hand - as she made a grand entrance to the tune of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough."

She then performed a cover of the Spiral Staircase hit "More Today Than Yesterday," which had the judges on their feet.

After her performance, she chatted with host Ryan Seacrest and told him how the show is an "inspiration" to all American kids.

When Seacrest asked her who she thought was going home, Ross replied, diplomatically, "Me."

When Rogers' name was announced, he said "I have no hard feelings. I expected it."