Constantine Maroulis -- Photo Courtesy of FOX

Two shockers took place on American Idol IV on Wednesday night. Scott Savol landed in the Top Three. And Constantine Maroulis was eliminated.

Our theory here at Rugged Elegance is that "America's rocker constituency" split its votes between Bo Bice and Constantine.

Bo, as a result of his superior performance the night before, garnered the majority of the "rocker" votes.

Can you believe it?

American Idol, the television show that has 30 million U.S. television watchers watching not once but twice a week, sent the Greek kid packing his bags.

American Idol Judge Simon Cowell suggested Scott Savol should have been that guy.

Perhaps Simon's vote engendered sympathy votes for Scott -- enabling him to get into the Top Three.

In a classy move on Cowell's part on Wednesday night, he said to Scott:

If you've got six-to-eight million votes you are entitled and you deserve to be where you are tonight. So good for you!

The news was even a shock to Scott.

As Ryan Seacrest split up the Bottom Three and the Top Three of the week Scott chose to stand with Carrie Underwood and Bo Bice, but he started inching his way over to the Bottom Three.

As Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice and Scott Savol headed back to the couch after host Ryan Seacrest announced that they were "safe" Tim asked, "What do you suppose Carrie was thinking at this moment?"

Our nineteen year-old au pair instantly spoke up.

Malin said, "Don't send that cute, hot guy Constantine home."

Carrie, is that what you were thinking?

Were you praying for the soul of Constantine to stay?

Carrie Praying ...

We laughed at the thought of needing to pray. We never, ever imagined we'd be praying for Constantine again, today.

This Is Not A Joke -- I Repeat -- This Is Not A Joke

Constantine Maroulis will not be the 2005 American Idol.

The guy that trained with the Boston Conservatory, who draws inspiration from Jim Morrison and Janis Joplin, who played "Roger" in the international touring company of the Broadway production Rent, and whose band has an album being released in less than two weeks is heading home to New York.

However, this same twenty-nine year-old sexy star performer has won the hearts of millions of admiring fans around the country.

So, I imagine he is not feeling too sorry for himself today.

Constantine's Fall

Nonetheless, Judge Paula Abdul appeared as shocked as this one American family was to learn that Maroulis would no longer be performing this year on FOX's highest rated reality show.

We were not quite moved to tears the way Paula Abdul was. Not until we saw Paula hugging Constantine's mom. That got us!

Last night, shock was the primary emotion.

Scott and Carrie In Shock!

On Wednesday night, Tim said "That's the biggest shock since LaToya London was voted off the competition last year."

Niki, our seven year old, said "I sure hope I can buy a CD from Constantine."

Based on KOCH Records' announcement regarding Maroulis' band Pray for the Soul of Betty she'll only have to wait until May 10th.

Maroulis recorded the album with his band mates Joao Joya, Taylor & Hamboussi before heading to Hollywood upon getting the golden ticket during American Idol's Washington D.C. auditions.

On May 10th, their Pray for the Soul of Betty's debut will take place nationwide and throughout Canada.

Thank goodness KOCH puts out a "clean version" in addition to their "explicit version." Hopefully the clean one will be clean enough for these babes' ears.

We share Constantine's desire to keep music "honest," as he says.

But with track names like the following, hopefully KOCH is targeting an older market than seven year-old American Idol fans who fell in love with the "clean" charismatic Constantine:

1. Drift

2. Rich B****

3. Truck Stop Sally

This song earned an honorable mention this year in Billboard's 12th Annual World Song Contest.

4. SomeOfMyF*****UpWorld

5. Cut The Cord

6. Cry

7. The Day

8. Suicide

9. Playground

10. Sylvan

Track names like these make you wonder who the real Constantine is: the sexy "All-American" idol or the hard-core nasty rocker.

Perhaps America was confused as well, leading to Constantine's demise.

It will be interesting to watch which "track" Constantine pursues from here.

Upon his departure from the show, Constantine was humble, articulate and gracious.

When host Ryan Seacrest asked him, "Are you surprised by this result?" Constantine responded by saying:

Crazier things have happened in my life.

I'm just really blessed to have gotten this far, and to have met all of you guys.

Just rock and roll.

I love you all very much.

That's the name of the game. You know what I mean. That's cool. That's totally cool.

On Wednesday, April 27th 2005, Constantine Maroulis gave a stellar last performance on the program that has made him famous.

It's just too bad he didn't wear that same "clean" white shirt on Tuesday night.

This morning, Maroulis spoke with the press about the show. Constantine said:

You can't be too confident in this competition. I prepare myself every week to go home. It was a bit shocking, yes. I'm sad to go. But I'm just so grateful for this amazing opportunity. They put me in front of the world's biggest stage and let me do my thing for months and months...

People are so touched by the show. They cling on to it. It's just great how it affects people and moves them. You can see by the audience reaction last night. It's a wonderful wonderful thing ...

The music business is weird. There aren't as many opportunities for artists. You've got to go on a show to show what you got sometimes ...

I'd love to pursue more acting, film and television -- try to do it all.

Meanwhile, as Maroulis moves on to perhaps all of the above, American Idol will release a side of Constantine that younger kids and discerning parents will likely favor than Maroulis' "Betty" side.

American Idol Season 4: The Album can be pre-ordered now. The CD will begin shipping on May 17th.

Congratulations Carrie Underwood, Bo Bice, Vonzell Solomon, Anthony Fedorov and Scott Savol for making it into American Idol IV's Top Five.

Charismatic Constantine -- Photo Copyright: Getty Images

Constantine, American loves you man.

To follow Maroulis' future whereabouts, go to:

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful "stepping stones to success" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC

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