Kevin Covais Cut on American Idol

By Stephen M. Silverman

03/23/2006 at 07:00 AM EST

Kevin Covais, at 16 among the youngest contestants ever on American Idol, was eliminated from the competition Wednesday night.

The Levittown, NY, native had performed a heartfelt rendition of "When I Fall in Love" on Tuesday's program, prompting judge Paula Abdul to commend his "moxie." Simon Cowell had previously said Covais was a lock for "the granny vote."

The granny vote wasn't enough, apparently, and host Ryan Seacrest announced that, among the week's 35 million votes, Covais had the fewest. "What are we going to do without you?" Seacrest asked Covais, whom fellow contestant Paris Bennett had nicknamed Chicken Little.

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To the audience, the singer said, "America, I love you, Thank you for everything." To the remaining competitors, he added, "You guys are amazing."

Also in the bottom three were Lisa Tucker and Bucky Covington. Tucker, 16, sang "Why Do Fools Fall in Love?" on Tuesday, prompting Cowell to say he felt "trapped in a high school musical."

Covington's rendition of Buddy Holly's rockabilly hit "Oh, Boy!" was deemed "nothing more than a pointless karaoke performance" by Cowell.

The season's winner will be named on May 24.