Last Wednesday, the Top 9 American Idol contestants: Angie Miller, Candice Glover, Kree Harrison, Janelle Arthur, Amber Holcomb, Burnell Taylor, Devin Velez, Lazaro Arbos and Paul Jolley chose songs from the "Lennon/McCartney" songbook. Jolley was eliminated after a contrived "Eleanor Rigby" performance in the style of Adam Lambert.

Though the performance was nothing to write home about, it certainly wasn't the night's worst (Lazaro, I'm talking to you). The surprise elimination came in the wake of rumors connecting the 22-year old to a homosexual relationship with possible boyfriend, Brock Hartline. Did the speculation that Paul Jolley is gay cost him enough votes to be eliminated?

Despite not addressing the, "Is Paul Jolley gay?" rumors, the evidence does seem indicative. Affectionate photos of Jolley and Hartline are circulating the web. And we can't forget the encrypted exchange between Jolley and Idol judge Nicki Minaj.

Nicki Minaj asked, "Paul, are you... 'jolley'?"
Paul Jolley responded, "Yes, I am." [smiling] "I'm 'jolley' all the time..."

Apparently Adam Lambert didn't get the message. If anything his outspoken homosexuality almost earned him the crown during Season 8 of American Idol. In all fairness to Lambert, his voice is far superior to Jolley, who wants to be the self-proclaimed, "male Taylor Swift."

Either way Jolley doesn't regret his song choice or performance style

"I wanted people to feel the emotion - someone died in this song. During the beginning of the song, everyone feels alone, no one's ever appreciated and no one should ever feel that way and everyone should know, big or small... that's why I sang it the way I sang it."

Lazaro may have earned sympathy from voters last week, but unless he can return to his normal level of confidence, he could be the next elimination.

Tune in this Wednesday at 8/7c for the American Idol Season 12, Top 8 performance show.