How do you think Elliott will take it if he has to leave the competition? Will he stay in LA and pursue a singing career?
If you make the top ten you go on tour for 6 months with Idol so unless you are #1 or #2 it really doesn't matter. In Elliott's case he could use the experience and the training because he has never had any. Hell, he has friends and family that never knew that he could sing.
Manilow really gave him some good pointers on how to sing a song arrangment wise and you simply don't get that type of knowlege anywhere else. Kind of like a HS pitcher getting tips from people like Roger Clemens, Sandy Koufax and Bob Gibson every week.
He has had the time of his life. He really likes Ace, Taylor and Chris. The experience has been great and whenever he goes off the show he will likely be bummed but he's humble enough to take it in stride.