Vazquez drops from 'Idol,' Smith recalled

LOS ANGELES, March 14 (UPI) -- "American Idol" finalist Mario Vazquez has dropped out of the competition, citing "a personal family thing" as his reason, Billboard.com reported.

Nikko Smith, voted out during last week's last semi-final round, has been recalled to take his place.

Vazquez told TVGuide.com he had to "take care of some personal issues with my family in New York. And with 'Idol' being a live show, it just wouldn't have worked out schedule-wise.

"I'm healthy, I'm fine," he said. "It's just a personal family thing. My family is my top priority."

Smith, the son of baseball hall-of-famer Ozzie Smith, was recalled because he received more votes than Travis Tucker, who was voted off the same episode.