Amber Holcomb overcame early confidence issues to become a singer fairly sure of herself and her abilities on the 12th season of "American Idol," vaulting her into the top four of the singing competition. However, an up-and-down Wednesday night (May 1) of performances and a deficit to overcome from the start (the week's vote tally included votes cast last week, when she was in the bottom two), coupled with a recurring spot in the spot of lowest vote-getters, finally did in the 19-year-old Texan, as Holcomb became the latest eliminated contestant on "Idol," finishing in fourth place.
By finishing in fourth, Holcomb narrowly misses out on the homecoming episode, during which the "Idol" top three return home to a hero's welcome. Part of the near-unstoppable group of female finalists that saw to it that all of the show's male contestants were eliminated before any of its top 10 ladies, Holcomb was preceded in elimination by Janelle Arthur, the country girl from Tennessee who went home two weeks ago.
"I'm just happy that America got the best four of the competition to the top four," judge Nicki Minaj said before the elimination.