VIDEO: American Idol's Casey Abrams Hospitalized -- Still Makes Top 12
March 11 2011, Published 8:52 a.m. ET
American Idol standout Casey Abrams was hospitalized Thursday for blood work, missing the broadcast on a night he earned a berth to the top 12, RadarOnline.com has learned.
"You'll notice that Casey is missing from the group," host Ryan Seacrest said. "He is unfortunately sick and in the hospital right now. So everybody wave to him ... feel better ... get back here soon."
Casey tweeted early Friday: “hey guys, thanks for the well wishes, I got some nice fresh blood in me and feeling better. People at Idol & Cedars are treatin me real good.”
Abrams, a doughy, scruffy, Seth Rogen look-a-like, was treated earlier this year for stomach pains. He wowed judges and viewers Wednesday with a passionate rendition of The Beatles-turned-Joe Cocker classic, With A Little Help From My Friends.
"Dude, you were so unbelievable and so exciting," Randy Jackson told Abrams. "You make listening to you sing fun."
Steven Tyler called Abrams "a rainbow of talent" and “plethora of passion,” while Jennifer Lopez claimed his performance "blew me away."
It's not the first time a highly-touted prospect has had health problems during their stint on the show: Three years ago, eventual winner David Cook was hospitalized after experiencing heart palpitations and high blood pressure.
American Idol returns to Fox next Wednesday at 8/7c for a two-hour special in which the remaining Top 12 finalists perform live.
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