Devin Velez was eliminated from Thursday's American Idol, leaving just three male contestants remaining

There hasn't been a female American Idol winner since Jordin Sparks's victory back in 2007. 
But the chances of a girl triumphing this year improved when Devin Velez was eliminated from the contest on Thursday.

Now only two male contestants remain when the judges refused to save him, despite an impassioned final performance.

Down and out: Devin Velez was eliminated from Thursday's American Idol, leaving just three male contestants remaining

Devin's emotional last-ditch performance to stay reduced Mariah Carey to tears but it wasn't enough and only seven contestants are left - five women and two men.

And if the experts are to be believed, the men have very little chance of winning this season unless they get a lot better, quickly.
Legendary music producer and show mentor Jimmy Iovine is among those who think the men stand very little chance.

Singing for the save: Devin made a last ditch attempt to stay in the contest, singing Somos Novios (It’s Impossible) in both English and Spanish.

Show of support: Devin was cheered on in his final performance by the remaining Idol wannabes

Emotional: Mariah Carey wiped away tears at watching Devin leave the contest

Early on the broadcast of the 450th episode of the hit Fox show, he rated the performances from Wednesday night's show, when the contestants sang Motown hits.
And he was scathing about the boys' efforts after they sang together on one track.

'I guess we have a new boy band in town and this one's called Wrong Direction,' he joked. 'This was terrible. What we found out tonight is the difference between the women and the boys.'
Predicting Lazaro Arbos would go home, he added: 'After last night's performances I would say the boys are in the bottom three.'

Three men in a boat: Lazaro Arbos and Burnell Taylor joined Devin in the bottom three

Chance for a save? Ryan Seacrest stood by a nervous Devin as the judges decided whether to use their one save

The moment of truth: Keith Urban and Randy Jackson whispered behind Nicki Minaj, but a viewer vote was against the judges saving Devin

Fortunately for Lazaro, he and Burnell Taylor just scraped through - but only after all five girls learned they were safe.

'In no particular order, the first person who is safe is Kree Harrison,' said host Ryan Seacrest as he began to reveal the results.
Kree's triumph was no surprise after the 22-year-old had earlier received a recorded message from soul legend Aretha Franklin, praising her cover of Don't Play That Song, made famous by Aretha when she released it in 1970. 

Difficult moment: Mariah looked upset at the news of Devin's elimination

Standing ovation: All the judges bar Minaj stood up in a show of support for Devin

Last night's guest mentor Smokey Robinson had previously told the wannabes that he would get Aretha to watch the show.
Aretha said in a voice recording: 'Hi Kree, it's Aretha Franklin. How are you? Saw you last evening. Loved it. Smokey was right.
'You put that one away and you're not going anywhere. I know you're going to be around.
'Much love to you. Take care. God bless.'
A shocked Kree appeared to be wiping away tears after hearing from the queen of soul, and was equally thrilled at being told she would be put through.

Tribute from the queen of soul: Aretha Franklin recorded a segment praising Kree Harrison's performance on Wednesday

In shock: Kree was quite overcome at hearing the tribute from her idol

I don't know if you saw that at home,' said Seacrest. 'But Kree just jumped for joy and hit the ground with enthusiasm and excitement.'
Kree then took off her sparkly heels to make sure it didn't happen again.
Candice Glover, 23, was next to find out she was safe, before 23-year-old Janelle Arthur and Angie Miller, 18, discovered they would be staying on the show.

Put through: Angie Miller was thrilled to hear her name called to safety

Overjoyed: Country singer Janelle Arthur couldn't contain her excitement at the news she'd made it

Come on through to the other side: Amber Holcomb was helped to sit with the other female contestants who had been put through

Then it was the turn of 18-year-old Amber Holcomb - meaning one of the boys was almost certainly going home.

Mariah said: 'I'm sitting here nervous and praying. I just don't want to see them leave.'
Devin, 18, Burnell, 19, and 21-year-old Lazaro anxiously lined up to discover their fate.

They were told that the person with the least votes could technically stay in the show - but only if the judges unanimously decided to use their one save of the season and keep them on.

Still in the game: Candice Glover looked shocked at hearing her name called out to join the rest of the female contestants

First man standing: Burnell Taylor was welcomed by the girls when his name was called

Through by a whisker: Lazaro Arbos only just made it to next week after Jimmy predicted his departure

Seacrest revealed that Burnell was safe - before dropping the bombshell: 'After nearly 26 million votes, the person at risk of elimination is Devin. 'Lazaro you are safe.'
The pair hugged before Lazaro joined the others - and Devin was forced to sing to be saved. On Wednesday night he had impressed Smokey Robinson by singing Tracks of My Tears. But he seemed to struggle to find an audience among the voters.
Devin, wearing a dapper red jacket, then sang It's Impossible by crooner Perry Como - as an emotional Mariah Carey wiped away tears.

The girls have it: Candice, Janelle, Amber, Angie and Kree have consistently wowed the judges in the contest

Not such a hit: The boys performance on Wednesday night went down badly with the judges

Critical: Music mentor Jimmy Iovine said the boys should be called the Wrong Direction

He then started singing the rest of the song in Spanish - until reverting to English for the last line.
'Devin, singing for his life,' said Ryan Seacrest. 'Randy, on behalf of the judges, will you use your save?'
As the audience chanted, 'Save, save, save', Randy said: 'Honestly, Ryan, for us, unfortunately, it is not unanimous. We're not going to use it.'
Mariah Carey was clearly struggling not to cry and Keith Urban held his head in his hands as Randy made the announcement.

'I've got to say thank you. You guys are the real people,' said a smiling Devin as he watched a replay tape of his best moments.

Duet: OneRepublic welcomed former Idol contestant and actress Katherine McPhee to sing a new version of their single If I Lose Myself

Toned tummy: Katharine flashed the flesh in black trousers and a cropped leather top

Back to her roots: Katharine competed on Idol in season six, finishing runner up to Taylor Hicks

He fought back tears as his fellow finalists joined him to offer their support.

And while Nicki Minaj remained seated the other three judges stood to applaud him.
The night kicked off with a rendition of Detroit rocker Bob Seger's 1979 hit, Old Time Rock and Roll by the final eight hopefuls - with the five girls easily out-singing the remaining three boys.

And earlier, the tables were turned on judge Keith Urban - when he got up to sing himself.

Returning so soon? Season 11 finalist Colton Dixon returned to premiere his new Christian music single, Love Has Come for Me.

Hugging it out: Colton embraced contestant Angie who had performed a cover of one of his songs earlier in the season

'Not only is he a member of our Idol family, he is also a country music powerhouse. Tonight, he rocks the stage, ' said Seacrest as he sat in Keith's chair at the judge's table while introducing the star.

Looking energised and happy, he sang his hit, Long Hot Summer - and a smiling Mariah Carey held up a handwritten sign that read '#1 Keith Fan'.
'Thanks for that treat. Very cool,' said Seacrest, adding jokingly 'Let's go to the judges.'

'You're through to Hollywood,' laughed Randy Jackson.

Showing them how it's done: Keith Urban took the stage to give an impressive performance of his recent hit Long Hot Summer

Rocking out the house: The country singer's fellow judges were thrilled with his performance

The night also saw a performance by Colton Dixon, who came seventh in season 11 of Idol last year - but has since had a number one album in the US.

'He joins the long list of Idol stars who have become dominating figures in the music industry,' said Seacrest before Colton sang new single, Love Has Come For Me.

Colton joked that he wasn't nervous - because there was no chance he would finish in the bottom three.
And he came face to face with Angie Miller - who covered one of his songs in an earlier episode. 
'It was so surreal. She did a great job,' he said, before the pair hugged. '[She] killed it.'

Show of support: The judges along with Seacrest cheered Keith on from the sidelines

Number one fan: Mariah held up a homemade sign as the judges gave Keith a standing ovation

Famous fans: Keith sang his latest song before promoting his upcoming tour

Rockers OneRepublic also performed their single If I Lose Myself - with a little help from another Idol friend, Katharine McPhee, who was the season five runner-up in 2006.

Katharine - in a belly-baring cropped top - began singing her part while sitting with the finalists before joining the band on stage.

The night also saw the hopefuls perform a new 'mission' segment by teaming up with sponsors, Ford.
Their first mission was 'The Gift of the Song', and they went to a primary school to mentor the pupils how to sing.

The last song: The remaining Idol contestants looked sombre as they watched Devin perform for the final time