‘American Idol’ finalist bows out

Mario Vasquez, one of the 12 finalists on this season’s “American Idol,” abruptly left the competition Sunday, citing personal reasons involving his family in New York. With his jaunty personality and breezy performing style, the 27-year-old singer had quickly become a favorite among the fans and the judges.

Producers of the Fox talent show replaced Vasquez with recently eliminated Nikko Smith, 22, of St. Louis, the son of baseball great Ozzie Smith. He was chosen because he had received more votes than Travis Tucker when they were voted off the competition Wednesday.

Vasquez isn’t the first person to leave “American Idol” midstream. George Huff stepped in last season when contestant Donnie Williams was cited for drunk driving, and two years ago three contestants were removed by the network -- two because they hadn’t disclosed previous arrest records and the third for posing on an adult-oriented website.