Burnell Taylor eliminated from 'American Idol' TV personality Ryan Seacrest arrives at the 40th Annual American Music Awards in Los Angeles on November 18, 2012. LOS ANGELES, April 5 (UPI) -- Burnell Taylor, a 19-year-old aspiring singer from New Orleans, was eliminated from "American Idol." Taylor was cut from the competition Thursday night. Contestants are bounced from the show as the result of a combination of the celebrity judges' critiques and viewer votes. Ryan Seacrest is host of the show. Mariah Carey, Keith Urban, Randy Jackson and Nicki Minaj are the judges.