Idol out : Mae Sta Maria

Bye Bye Mae :*(

We're now down to the Top 6, and its made up of 4 boys and 2 girls. Just two weeks ago, the stakes were even - 4 girls and 4 boys. But in the last 4 weeks, we've seen a girl go home every week....from Nurul to Amira to Malaque and now Mae.

Tonight's bottom 2, were arguably the strongest performers of the night - Sylvia and Mae. Was it a case of too little too late? Did Sylvia's soulful rendition of Warwick Avenue give her a slight edge over Mae?

Was Mae's beautiful rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow not enough to put her through when she had been 'safe' for a few weeks in a row now.

I was surprised it was Mae leaving us tonight. In all honestly, I was more worried for Tabby and Sylvia, considering they were both in last week's bottom 3 with Malaque. When Matt (the wubby) asked me during a commercial break who I thought would be going home, I said if Singapore didn't vote more, it could be Tabby or Sylvia. It didn't even cross my mind Mae would be on the chopping block because she'd been safe for a few weeks now, I thought her fanbase had grown....

The newly minted Top 6 looking super glum as they say goodbye to their beloved 'ta jie' (big sister, or as Faizal says 'kakak'). They have known each other for barely 4 months and are like family.

And I suppose many of her fans are wondering why the judges didn't save her. Personally I think its because there are still a few more weeks left to go, and if the judges use their save tonight, whoever they save may still be ousted next week. I think the Judges will try to keep that save for the last girl standing or to keep a girl in the Top 4, whichever happens sooner. But thats my 'educated' guess...

Perhaps we shall leave that to the conspiracy theorists and concentrate on Mae's exit post for now....

Here's Mae's exit song....

And here's a short goodbye note I got from her as she left for wardrobe. For her exit interview with Idol TV, check out the Official Blog (sorry was at the balloting session for next week's theme, so I missed out recording it while Iz was interviewing!).

Finally, here's a lil note from Mae's mom, Aunty Sandra....

Doesn't Mae sound/look just like her? She's such a sweetheart, so supportive of her daughter. Mae's so lucky to have her and I'm sure she knows it. In fact, I think the Top 7 are so lucky to have such amazingly supportive parents who love them so dearly. Tonight's show was so full of love and encouragement - it was really really heartwarming to see.

Well, an upside to Mae's goin' home - she gets to see Mike who is missing her something fierce right Mike?

See you back in Singapore soon Mae! And drop that album of yours while its hot! You'll always be a star in my book....*big big hugs*

much love to Mae, Mike and Aunty Sandra (you rock!).....

xoxo, s.