“American Idol” recap: MK Nobilette doesn’t get the ‘luh’

Considering how badly MK Nobilette had stumbled during her performance of Pink’s “Perfect” on “American Idol” this week – losing her grip on the melody and lyrics mid-song and never quite recovering – and the fact that she’d landed in the bottom three twice before, the outcome of Thursday night’s results show was perfectly predictable: The voters sent her home.

For a moment there, after she’d consulted with Rickey Minor and the band, returned to her mark, and sung her final song, John Legend’s “All of Me,” it looked as if the judges might use their one save of the season to keep the San Francisco 20-year-old, “Idol’s” first openly gay contestant, on the show. Jennifer Lopez seemed especially reluctant to let her go, gazing beseechingly at Harry Connick Jr.

Eventually, though, Connick leaned into the mic and delivered the bad news. A save “has to be unanimous, and it is not unanimous,” he said. “It breaks our heart, but we have to say goodbye to you.”

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Nobilette had been the last contestant to be added to the bottom three, joining Dexter Roberts and Majesty Rose there before Rose was sent to the safety of “the lounge,” exulting all the way.

The show also carried a reminder that there is life after “Idol” even for those who do not win – sometimes courtesy of “Idol” itself.

In addition to a performance by Louisiana-based band Royal Teeth, who’d been invited by Connick, and an apology from Caleb Johnson for making a joke about peanut allergies the previous evening, the show also featured Lopez’s debut performance of her new single, “I Luh Ya Papi.”

Those girls sitting on the stoop, gabbing with Lopez and singing harmony? They were none other than “Idol” alumni Pia Toscano (ninth place, Season 10), Jessica Sanchez (second place, Season 11) and Allison Iraheta (fourth place, Season 8).

Fun to see them back on the “Idol” stage. And see, MK? J.Lo, who looked truly crushed by your departure, may have your back one day, too. She luh ya.

Are you sad to see Nobilette go?

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