American Idol Recap: Paul Jolley Eliminated, Nicki Minaj Ignored Him

USMagazine, Friday, March 22, 2013, 5:40am (PDT)

Paul Jolley became the second male contestant to be eliminated during the American Idol results show on Thursday, March 21. After the country pop artist performed a cover of The Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" the night prior, Jolley knew the end was near.

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"I woke up and I had my moment with God and I realized, 'I'm going home today.' I knew it in my heart, 100 percent," the 22-year-old told Us Weekly post-show. "And I was prepared for it because deep down inside I gave it my all, and in the end, God has a bigger plan and that's all that matters."

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Jolley, who was joined in the bottom three by Devin Velez and Amber Holcomb, didn't get a chance to speak to judge Nicki Minaj after getting the boot. "She didn't come up and speak to me. I don't know why," the eliminate said. "But I still love her." (The rapper said it was "common sense" that Jolley would be going home.)

The Tennessee native did, however, get some words of encouragement from judges Mariah Carey and Keith Urban.

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"She was pretty much telling me 'don't give up' and 'keep pushing forward,'" Jolley said of Carey. "Keith was the first one to literally sprint out of his chair and get up there and give me a hug, and that meant a lot to me. Ever since I've been a little kid, he's always been my idol and I've always looked up to him."

Tell Us: Did Paul Jolley deserve to be eliminated?

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: American Idol Recap: Paul Jolley Eliminated, Nicki Minaj Ignored Him