St. Louis favorite cut from 'Idol'

ST. LOUIS, April 7 (UPI) -- "American Idol" contestant Nikko Smith has been cut from the hit series after drawing the fewest viewer votes of any of the nine finalists.

Smith, the son of Hall of Fame Cardinals shortstop Ozzie Smith, was gracious in defeat, telling host Ryan Seacrest, "I feel blessed just to be here now," the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Thursday

The other low vote-getter in Wednesday's show was Scott Savol of Shaker Heights, Ohio.

On Tuesday's performance show, Smith sang "One Hand, One Heart" from the musical "West Side Story."