Emotional Idol

No, Paula Abdul wasn’t sent home from Fox’s “American Idol” Wednesday night.

That honor fell to Brooke White, 24, of Mesa, Ariz., who began the competition strong but has been slipping steadily in recent weeks.

She increasingly seemed frightened and on the verge of tears during her performances, and of course, was crying Wednesday night even before the results were announced.

White was hardly able to sing one more time, struggling through Neil Diamond’s “I Am . . . I Said.” She had to start the song twice, something she’s done before.

Surviving again at the bottom of the voting heap was Syesha Mercado, 21, whose performances have been getting stronger over the past few weeks.