Casey James heads home from American Idol

Did anyone think that Casey would survive this week's American Idol elimation? Messages posted around the Internet overwhelmingly opined that it was time for Casey to leave -- and, indeed, the Idol judges seemed to be ready to lead him to the door.

But what a run it has been for North Texas' Casey James!

"I'm so thankful for the opportunity," smiled James -- even after his elimination. "It's been an amazing, amazing journey and I'm so thankful that I'm here.

As with departing contestants, James got to sing a farewell song. He chose John Mayer's Daughters -- which had been judges Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi's choice for him in this week's competition. Confident, smiling and seemingly still happy, James delivered the song with ample tenderness and style.

There was a sense that Casey may have expected that it was his week to go -- and that he was ready to move on to the Idol tour and showing America that he deserves to be a star.

Indeed, elimination from the American Idol competition often signals less about defeat and more about moving ahead in a career. Runner-up Adam Lambert has become a super star -- as has Chris Daughtry. And how about Jennifer Hudson, Katharine McPhee, Clay Aiken and Kimberley Locke -- none of whom won the American Idol coveted crown!

“I never thought I'd get this far,” Casey admitted to host Ryan Seacrest. “But to me, it's like winning $10 million in the lottery and $100 million in the lottery. It's so much more than I expected, so it can't be bad.”

As the Dallas News reports: "For a guy who doesn't own a TV — and drove all night to auditions in Denver at the urging of his mom, who lent him her truck because there was no way his would make the trip — landing in the semifinals of the world's most popular talent show proved a bit overwhelming. As James Casey watched footage of last week's screaming-filled visit to North Texas Dallas/Fort Worth and his hometown of Cool, he fought back tears."

MASS. SEN. SCOTT BROWN'S DAUGHTER, AYLA -- FORMERLY AN AMERICAN IDOL CONTESTANT

Shortly after Massachusetts voters cast enough ballots to send Scott Brown to Washington as the state's newest Senator, his daughter, Ayla Brown, became one of the top searches on search engines.

During Brown's victory speech, he mentioned that his two daughters -- Ayla and Arianna -- were available. Quickly former American Idol contestant Ayla's name was being typed at computers -- probably by a lot of eligible bachelors -- seeking more information about her.

At 17 Ayla graced the stage of American Idol after garnering praise at the show's Boston audition. The Boston College basketball star has appeared with The Boston Pops and performed the National Anthem at a Boston Red Sox game.

WILL RYAN SEACREST CAPTURE AN EMMY?

"Simon has placed himself as far away from Los Angeles on Emmy night as possible, just in case I happen to get lucky enough to win one," American Idol host Ryan Seacrest told eonline recently at Santa Monica's Huntley Hotel. He was there to celebrate his ad campaign for Scope Outlast and Crest Plus Scope Outlast toothpaste.

Seacrest is nominated for Outstanding Reality Host.

"He's confirmed he will be in London just so he's not there in case of the little possibility that I walk away with it," Seacrest laughed.

BEN STILLER WANTS RYAN SEACRESTS TWITTER FOLLOWERS

When Ben Stiller learned that Twitterer and American Idol host Ryan Seacrest has over 2 million followers, he asked for help in building his own following.

DOES THE X FACTOR CONTESTANT DANYL JOHNSON LOOK LIKE RYAN SEACREST?

The 27-year-old school teacher, Danyl Johnson, who wowed American Idol judge Simon Cowell during The X Factor auditions has been said to resemble Idol host Ryan Seacrest.

"Even the man in the white T-shirt, Simon Cowell gave the Ryan Seacrest lookalike a standing ovation," reported thespoof.com.

Everyone is likely to have their own opinions as to whether Johnson actually looks like Seacrest, but one thing is for certain -- they both undoubtedly have exciting careers ahead.

TWEETS FROM AMERICAN IDOL HOST RYAN SEACREST

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, forever active on Twitter, offered a pretty fun link -- saying, "Check out this video..insane...apparently took 1500 hours to make."

CLICK HERE TO WATCH VIDEO

He also offered a glimpse of "randy's look on flight 2 Dallas 4 Idol...shin skin! does he think we r doing project runway?"

CLICK HERE TO SEE "SHIN SKIN"

RYAN SEACREST STANDS ON BOX -- REPORTEDLY TO APPEAR TALLER

American Idol host Ryan Seacrest apparently taped some TV segments outside of Idol auditions while "standing on top of a large box to appear taller for cameras," reported buzznet. That article lists Seacrest at 5 ft 8.

"According to Ryan John Seacrest he is 5 ft 9, but some other people say that he is not much (taller) than 5 ft 6," cites news.puggal.

One person posted on yahoo, "When I tried out for American Idol, I had the opportunity to stand next to Ryan Seacrest. I am 5' 7" tall, and Mr. Seacrest was about half a head shorter than me."

Regardless of his actual height, Seacrest has proven himself to be a "big" draw on the American Idol television show -- and likely that is the only kind of big that Idol execs care about. And, of course, fans love Seacrest at whatever his height actually is!