Devin Velez Exits 'American Idol' in Another Blow to the Boys

Make that girls 3, boys 0.

It's been a rough 12th season of "American Idol" for the show's male contestants, who have been constantly overshadowed and overhyped in favor of the ladies. On Thursday night (March 28), the guys hit their lowest point yet, with all three remaining male contestants slotting into the bottom three in terms of vote-getters, while the five girls picked for the top 10 were safe and sound.

All told, it was Devin Velez, the Chicago 18-year-old whose alluring tone and ability to shift seamlessly between English and Spanish in a song made him a favorite for some. But even after having a decent showing with Wednesday night's "Tracks of My Tears," Velez, who was in danger of heading home basically every time since the field was narrowed down to 10, was chosen as the contestant that would sing for his spot on the show.

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Despite a beautiful rendition of "Somos Novios (It's Impossible)," during which Velez seemed cool, collected and simply happy to be there at all, the judges did not use their save on the young singer. The result, said Randy Jackson, was not unanimous, and from the appearance of Mariah Carey, who fought tears during the performance, it's safe to guess who wanted to keep Velez around.

Lazaro Arbos, who has come under criticism lately for less-than-stellar performances and his inability to remember some of his song's lyrics last night, joined Velez at center stage before the announcement was read. Arbos was record exec/show mentor Jimmy Iovine's pick to go home after last night, but the Florida native was able to skirt through to the top seven.

Before the reveal of the results, Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin appeared in a video message to declare her approval of Kree Harrison, who sang Franklin's "Don't Play That Song for Me" Wednesday night, leaving Harrison visibly shocked and wowed.

Four different acts combined to take the "Idol" stage in performance, starting with former "Idol" contestant Colton Dixon, who has found a home on Christian radio since his elimination last season. Dixon performed new single "Love Has Come for Me," off his debut album, "A Messenger." It's a rocker, well within Dixon's usual forte.

Former runner-up and current "Smash" star Katharine McPhee was also in the house, pairing with OneRepublic on "If I Lose Myself," the band's newest single off "Native," which dropped this week. "Idol" judge Keith Urban knocked out his first performance during his tenure on the show, doing 2011's "Long Hot Summer" and adding a few lyrics from David Guetta and Nicki Minaj's "Turn Me On."

The top seven return next week, with the last two guys -- Arbos and Burnell Taylor -- looking to finally unseat one of the ladies from the competition.