LOS ANGELES - A North Texas youth just misses her chance at becoming the next American Idol, receiving the fewest votes of the four remaining contestants Thursday.
Hollie Cavanagh was dismissed after singing Journey's "Faithfully" and Bonnie Raitt's "I Can't Make You Love Me" for her solo performances Wednesday. Idol host Ryan Seacrest said viewers cast 70 million votes this week.
The Los Angeles Times reports Cavanagh remained poised and optomistic during her run amid near-constant criticism.
The three remaining finalists will return to their hometowns in Louisiana, Georgia and California before taking the "Idol" stage next week.
Cavanagh's dismissal is the closest a Texan has come to claiming the title in recent history since Ft. Worth native Casey James' third-place exit in Season Nine.
Dallas native Kelly Clarkson won Idol's season 1 in 2002. Fellow North Texan Jason Castro of Rockwall also had a strong showing during season 7.