When heavy metal enthusiast James Durbin was voted off American Idol last week, many viewers’ hearts let out an Axl Rose-worthy wail — including former Idol judge Ellen DeGeneres. “I was heartbroken that you were sent home,” Ellen told the ousted rocker on her show today. “I don’t understand it. Early on I picked you to win the whole thing.” Watch their one-on-one below.
On The Ellen DeGeneres Show, James discussed the fact that he was able to return to his hometown of Santa Cruz, California, despite the fact that the Idol finale (which will find him returning to the stage) is just around the corner.
“Santa Cruz is so awesome, and there’s so much support there, that for the first time in Idol history, American Idol let me go home and have a homecoming,” Durbin said. “And over 30,000 people showed up.”
Are you still in shock over James missing out on placing in the Top 3, or do you think America got it right by voting him off last week? Let us know below.
James Durbin is the most exciting talent in all the years I have been watching Idol
I, too, felt a let down when he was voted off–after the original shock of his being voted off the show wore off.
I could not believe that James was voted off Idol. I think that a vote irregularity was to blame. Through-out all the weeks of American Idol, the voting phone numbers were always sequential to the performances. Example…..James, Haley, Scotty performed 1,2, and 3 then the phone numbers were 01, 02 and 03. EXCEPT last week the performances went 1,2,3,4,4,3,2,1. instead of 1,2,3,4,1,2,3,4. This made James performance 1 and performance 8, yet his numbers were 01 and 04. Haley had the 4th and 5th performance but her numbers were 04 and 08. I think many fans didn’t pay attention and voted for James on the 08 phone number. These votes would have gone to Haley. I believe that when a performer who had never been in the bottom group EVER is voted off, it is incumbent upon American Idol to scrutinize the voting process for error. Absent this oversight, the voting is a joke.
American got it BIG TIME wrong on James – he should have won!!! Now it’s down to Scotty and Lauaren (how boring). Have not watched AI since his lost and who cares, right? I do!!
America was DEFINETLY wrong, in my eyes. James should have won. He was the most entertaining and talented performer there. Im so glad Haley went home last night, i dont know how she made it that far and shes so cocky. James has such an amazing voice and personality. I will continue to follow him in whatever he does.
I feel something is wrong. He had never been in the bottom three then first time he is voted off. He is a wonderful singer,performer. I wrote were people were saying American idol winner are mostly country. I looked into it and in recent years it has been. Is there something to it?
American Idol definitely got it wrong, The name of the show implies the winner should be worthy of “Idol” status. James is a true “Idol” in every sense of the word. He has overcome so much to be where he is. He was an incredible singer and entertainer as well. I looked forward to the show just to see what James would do every week. Never in the past have I looked forward to the show as I did when James was on. When he was voted off I lost interest. I stopped watching it completely. I also question how someone who was never in the bottom three could attract the lowest amount of votes. That makes no sense to me. I will never watch the show again.
I think James was by far the most talented and was sad to see hm voted off. I do hope he becomes very successful as he deserves it!! As far as the two that are left–who really cares. They do not have the best of talent.
Yes, we are still in shock that James was voted off the show. Maybe they need a recount. We’re not watching the show now. But fans of James who still are say it’s totally boring with out him on the show. James was the greatest preformer on the show ever. Can’t wait for his album or concert. I would buy tickets to an Idol tour show only to see him, unfortunatily they don’t tell you who will be at which shows, to us there is no point in going if James isn’t there. I wish I would have know he was going to be on Ellen, I would have taped her show… Is there a James tour site so we can keep up with his career. J
James rocks and I loved his puppy eyes—-A
totally. I couldnt believe it either. It was very sad to see such a talented performer like james – who has been consistent from the start and has given gutsy-hearty performances since the beginning- get voted off. I dont bother watching “idol” anymore.
Still cant believe it…Either the show is rigged or their was a fault in the voting as someone else has pointed out…James stood out from the beginning and has so much talent. His voice is incredible and we were given the chance to appreciate that when he sang both metal and While my guitar gently weeps and Without You.
Not happy that he has gone.
I think the voting should be checked again…and he should be given a free pass into next years show….or just give him a recording contract now..You know AI messed up and he deserves it.
James was definately the most entertaining of the contestants and after he left the show held no more interest for me.
I wish James and his family all the very best for their future. I will buy your music and hope to see you on TV again.
After James left Idols I lost interest. I wish him and his family all the best for the future and hope to be able to buy a CD soon.
I watch Idol in Australia and lost respect for the Americian voters when James was voted off. Got it wrong voting him off is an understatement! Scotty is great but he “aint no James”!
Love you comment Aussie Gerri…
I watched Idol from Canada and was so disappointed with American voters that week.
After carefully watching all the contestants, James was the clear choice to me. The best comments I have read are from those that watched Idol from afar (not USA).
I agree that Scotty is great as were a few others, but none were as exciting to watch as James. He was the only one that blew me away..
I am an older (late 50′s) canadian, and I didn’t know that I could leave a comment. I too was disappointed that James didn’t win. He has great talent. I am not saying that Scotty didn’t have talent, but James did something different and he certainly has the voice. Aren’t the two runner ups usually able to get record labels as well? Hailey was very good too, but she sings the same growl in whatever she sings. Doesn’t change it up.