AceShowbiz -

Though his voice of singing farewell song "Please Remember Me" has been heard every week since the elimination of Jeremy Rosado three weeks ago, Scotty McCreery didn't return to "American Idol" stage until March 29. The last season's winner came back to the show, which helped him rise to stardom, in a result show that also featured Nicki Minaj.

Introduced by host Ryan Seacrest, Scotty delivered his latest single "Water Tower Town" along with a live band. After finishing the performance, the "I Love You This Big" hitmaker received a platinum plaque for selling 1 million copies of his debut album "Clear As Day". He graciously accepted it from Interscope Records' Jimmy Iovine, who is also this season's mentor.

Before Scotty took the stage, Nicki catered audience with her latest chart-busting single "Starships". Wearing a vibrant cleavage-baring outfit and sporting curly blonde hair, the female rapper was accompanied by some dancers. "I was hoping maybe I could come back and be a guest judge," she said after singing. "J.Lo, can you scoot over a little bit?"

Heejun Han was the one who got sent home this week, leaving DeAndre Brackensick, Hollie Cavanagh, Colton Dixon, Skylar Laine, Joshua Ledet, Phillip Phillips, Jessica Sanchez and Elise Testone as the remaining top 8 contestants. Landing on the bottom three along with Skylar and Hollie, he tried to convince the judges to save him by singing Donnie Hathaway's "A Song for You", but failed.

Scotty McCreery:

Nicki Minaj: