CHICAGO — Devin Velez, a Rickover Naval Academy senior and Portage Park barista, survived another week on "American Idol."
"I can truly say that I cant believe that I've made it.. I just want to thank you guys for all of the love and support. #blessed," Velez tweeted early Friday morning after the results were revealed.
The 18-year-old crooned Armando Manzanero's "Somos Novios (It's Impossible)," following his usual pattern of singing songs partially in Spanish, and garnered enough votes from viewers to earn a spot among the 10 remaining performers.
"Your tone is actually a tone I really, really like," said longtime judge Randy Jackson.
Two weeks ago, Velez earned high praises from the judges after singing Beyonce's "Listen."
"You have a nice spirit — a warmth about you — that shines through your eyes," rookie judge Nicki Minaj said.
She likened Velez to a "Spanish Ken Doll."
Velez was one of 46 singers to advance to the show's Hollywood round from auditions held in Chicago, and he's the only Chicagoan left in the competition.
Surviving to the show's top 10 means Velez has earned a slot on the show's traditional summer tour, no matter where he finishes in this season's final standings.
In other "Idol" news Friday, the "Idol Across America" tour, a publicity stunt in which the American Idol winner's microphone is trucked around the country to drum up excitement, stopped in Chicago, visiting The Bean, Navy Pier and a Giordano's restaurant.
