Malie's Laryngitis Dashed Her Top 24 Dreams

Hollywood Week ends in smiles for some, but tears for others. One American Idol hopeful who didn't find her happy ending on Judgement Day was Malie Delgado. The 21-year-old, who was diagnosed with laryngitis in the middle of Hollywood Week, was sadly eliminated from the competition after her solo performance at the House of Blues. Despite her illness, Delgado was able to muster up enough energy and sound to power through her performance of Little Big Town's "Little White Church," but it wasn't enough for the judges — the early favorite is on her way home to Alaska.

I seriously feel for these Idol contestants. Hollywood Week is the most grueling, intense week for any performer. Their vocals, stamina, and sanity are put through the ringer — it's truly a survival of the fittest. Being diagnosed with an illness that effects your vocals is the worst thing that could happen to a contestant this week, which is why it's all the more impressive that Delgado was able to perform at the level she did. Unfortunately, though, she wasn't at 100% and her performance suffered. While there's no doubt she'll be left wondering if she would have made it through if she were healthy, there's really no way to tell.

While getting sick during Hollywood Week was unfortunate for Delgado, another hopeful, Trent Harmon, experienced a different fate. The 25-year-old was diagnosed with mono just days before he arrived in Hollywood. He was understandably exhausted, but was able to power through and earn a spot in the Top 24. This just goes to show that sometimes being ill during auditions can pay off — it shows off a contestant's true talent and separates the artists from the wannabes.

Image: Michael Becker/FOX