Your boy is back. Wanna know why?

NIKKO SMITH RETURNS TO THE COMPETITION AS MARIO VAZQUEZ WITHDRAWS FROM "AMERICAN IDOL"

Smith Competes as Member of Top 12 Tuesday, March 15, on FOX

Recently eliminated semifinalist Nikko Smith has rejoined AMERICAN IDOL as Top 12 contestant Mario Vazquez has withdrawn from the competition for personal reasons. Smith was chosen to return because he received more votes than Travis Tucker during last week’s competition, when the men were reduced from 8 to 6 performers. He joins the competition immediately and will compete as a member of the Top 12.

The competition heats up when the guys (Bo Bice, Anthony Fedorov, Constantine Maroulis, Anwar Robinson, Scott Savol, Nikko Smith) and the girls (Lindsey Cardinale, Mikalah Gordon, Jessica Sierra, Vonzell Solomon, Nadia Turner, Carrie Underwood) compete head-to-head for the first time for the AMERICAN IDOL crown. They will take the stage together, singing for America, on Tuesday, March 15 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). Tune in the following night to see who America has chosen to stay and who is sent home on the live results show Wednesday, March 16 (9:00-9:30 PM ET live/PT tape-delayed) on FOX.

Eight-time Emmy-nominated AMERICAN IDOL is created and executive-produced by Simon Fuller, founder of 19 Entertainment; and executive-produced by Cecile Frot-Coutaz, Chief Operating Officer, Production, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.; Nigel Lythgoe, President, 19 Entertainment; and Ken Warwick, Executive Producer, FremantleMedia North America, Inc.

Mario, I sure hope everything's OK. Nikko, you gotta step it up kid. You already know people are gonna jump to the conclusion Papa Oz pulled a few strings or tossed a few dollars. You're the only male idol without a "story" to pull in the audience. C'mon!