Testone Survives Close Call

New Jersey native Elise Testone found herself in the bottom three again Thursday on "American Idol" following

But America opted to send home 17-year-old Deandre Brackensick, sparing Testone, a 28-year-old Mount Pleasant, SC, resident who hails from New Jersey.

This is third time in "Idol's" 11th season that Tetsone found herself in the bottom 3, and most critics blamed her Wednesday performance of the Foreigner ballad, "I Want to Know What Love Is."

Read full coverage of Testone on "Idol." See photos and videos.

Jimmy Iovine, a music industry executive and show mentor, said Testone had "an old-fashioned choke ... She didn't even sing the tune," he said.

Last week, Testone delivered a powerhouse performance of Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love," and judging by Wednesday's night outing, she should stick to hard rock standards and soul songs, said Charleston City Paper's Chris Haire. Not only did the Foreigner tune clash with Testone's growly, howly image, she never really seemed to feel the song's innate sap.

Testone heads into the competition's Top 7 with 18-year-old vocalist Hollie Cavanagh of McKinney, Texas, who was also in this week's bottom 3.

These contestants remain in the competition: Colton Dixon, 20, of Murfreesboro, Tenn.; Skylar Laine, 18, of Brandon, Miss.; Joshua Ledet, 19, of Westlake, La.; Jessica Sanchez, 16, of San Diego; and Phillip Phillips, 21 of Leesburg, Ga.

Contestants will perform again on Wednesday at 8 p.m. and then face another round of eliminations on Thursday. The show airs nationwide on FOX.