Former Lynchburg resident ousted from ‘American Idol’

Felicia Barton’s “American Idol” journey came to an end Wednesday night.

The former Lynchburg resident, who now lives in Virginia Beach, was not among the top three vote-getters who performed on Tuesday night, and will not advance to the next round of the competition.

The results were announced live on Wednesday night.

It wasn’t that Barton sang poorly. In fact, the judges really liked her performance of Alicia Keys’ “No One.”

“You certainly came back to prove a point, didn’t you?” Simon Cowell said, referring to what was Barton’s second chance in the competition. She wasn’t originally chosen to be in the top 36, but was brought back to replace a disqualified contestant, which led to Tuesday night’s performance.

Fellow judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul both said they were happy to have her back, and Kara DioGuardi, the panel’s newest judge, praised Barton’s look.

“You had attitude, you had presence,” DioGuardi said. “You had a few problems with some of those notes, but you know what? I noticed you for the first time. I really noticed you.”

Unfortunately, their praise didn’t sway enough viewers to vote for her.

Barton and her husband, Loren, lived in Lynchburg for a couple of years, starting in 2001, and were worship leaders at New Generation Assembly of God church on Timberlake Road.

Even then, they were talking about Barton’s “Idol” aspirations, said Mike Williams, who was the pastor there.

“She’s just a great person, as well as a great singer.”