"American Idol" Voters Snub Smithson

Singer's "Superstar" Performance Wasn't Enough To Win Viewer Votes

(CBS)  The stunning elimination of Carly Smithson from "American Idol" Wednesday proved once and for all that the show is as much a popularity contest as it is a singing competition.

The 24-year-old vocal powerhouse gave one of the strongest performances on Tuesday night's show, belting out the rock gospel song "Superstar" from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical "Jesus Christ Superstar."

Her performance won praise from the judges, but not enough viewer votes for her to return next week. The audience cast more votes for Brooke White, who had to start over after forgetting the lyrics to her song, and Jason Castro, who barely squeaked through his number.

---

Photos: "American Idol" Season 7

---

Judge Simon Cowell suggested that viewers empathized with White and were charmed by Castro's personality.

Even though he had been harsh on Smithson in previous weeks, Cowell tried to reassure her by saying she could leave the show with her head held high.

Smithson has already had her share of showbiz ups and downs. After early success as a child actress and model in Ireland, she moved to the U.S. in search of a record deal. Smithson signed with MCA Records, but the label dropped her after her 2001 debut album, "Ultimate High," tanked.

She managed to stay upbeat after learning she'd been given the boot, saying she was very proud of herself and happy. "I'm not upset that I'm going home," Smithson added. "I had the best time here."

Syesha Mercado -- who also had a great night Tuesday with her lively performance of "One Rock And Roll Too Many" from "Starlight Express" -- joined Smithson in the bottom two. The two contestants, who roomed together and became friends while on the show, each had a chance to reprise their songs Wednesday.

Earlier in the show, President Bush and first lady Laura Bush announced that the show's "Idol Gives Back" special had raised more than $65 million for various children's charities.

The evening also included a performance by Cowell's latest find, singer Leona Lewis.

Smithson's exit leaves five contestants to compete on the show next week.

[rachybaby72]

jerry_in_va , one more thing:

Now who''s the REAL moron??? Hmmm...I think that would be YOU.

Attempting in vain to distinguish between "angry style" & "angry voice" is PITIFUL. We didn''t just fall off the turnip truck, we all know what you meant. At least have the guts to stand by the real, general, overall meaning of what you said - of what you copied from Simon - and not try to split hairs between the words ''style'' and ''voice''. Pitiful, indeed...

[rachybaby72]

jerry_in_va

Don''t call me a moron, you a$$hole. Angry voice/angry style - it''s the same thing. She never screamed her song, and she didn''t have an "angry demeanor". There''s no such thing as having an "angry demeanor" while singing. AND it''s a singing competition, which been co-opted and turned into a popularity contest.

Oh and btw, you DID regurgitate Simon''s "angry comment.

i love how prez caligula hasn''t donated *** to anyone but his buddies and thanks us for giving 20 bucks

[olebd]

And yet, no word on Paul Davis passing???? For you youngsters, he made real music. Had some great songs such as ''''65 love Affair, I Go Crazy, Sweet Life, Cool Nights. Died of a heart attack at 60 years old just a couple days ago.

What is up C-BS?

[ssm9451]

The call in votes don''t get counted. The producers of the show do the elimination and voting. The so called public phone call votes are to determine how many people are watching. Ratings, ratings, that''s what it''s all about.

[cyberus-2009]

Once it goes to call in voting it ceases to be a singing contest and becomes a popularity contest that tends to hold onto the current tweenie heart throb while real talent gets booted.

[jetlizhan]

music_cap

so glad you commented on jason''s yawning - i saw it and burst out laughing - he''s so laid back and totally unconcerned about the whole thing!! lmao!!

[ajaxrose1]

Carly is a good singer, but she''s not that unique. She sounds like anyone else with a good voice. As for the popularity thing, of COURSE that''s part of it. That''s part of show-biz, isn''t it? Carly will have a career after this anyway, so big deal. Out of all the seasons only two of the actual winners have become huge stars. Heck, even Sanjaya has a career in show-biz, so lighten up.

[rosesnpearls]

Gig ''em Jason! Finally someone who is not afraid to be who he is and not another rubber-stamp star. He''s a good kid, construction science major, with talent.

[misssuzq]

BTW...with Carly''s voice and range, I would have preferred she sung a balled, rather than the one that she sang, as it was too screechy.

[misssuzq]

I do not give a hoot who wins now and I will not watch anymore. And I am sure Idol does not give a hoot about that, either.

Not that I thought Carly should have won, but because wimpy, whiney, no-backboned, wanna-be singers Jason and Brooke DESERVED to be eliminated far and away more than ANYONE else

[jnr1005]

not surprised she is off the show, however I thought Jason and Brook would have left before her. Honestly the 2 Davids should be in the top 2 b/c they are the best. Syesha is ok, but her arrogance is ridiculously annoying and disgusting, I definitetly hope she doesn''t make it much farther.

[music_cap]

Hello? Did anyone happen to see Jason yawning backstage during the results show? Yet another reason to send him packing.

[ora734]

Judy Rosen perceives herself as an eminent judge of vocal cords, maybe so but we are the paying public and that determines superstars. Carly has a well trained voice I admit, however she sounds just like every other good singer out there, there is no signature sound to her..... Signature voice usually is what determines stardom; Brooke has a more signature voice than Carly.... May not be as well trained as Carly%u2019s but it''s about finding amateur talent..... Isn%u2019t it?????

[marcodele]

If anyone still believes the phone votes determine the winner of Idol, then I''ve got some swampland for sale. The producers have been picking the winners and staging the show since season 2.

[ricinboerne]

Yaaawwn!

[arlaina-2009]

I haven''t been impressed with many of Carly''s performances, but she did well Tuesday night. I honestly thought Jason was the worst and should have been the one voted off. Then again, I''m still stunned Michael Johns is gone...

[excoachken]

It''s all about voting blocks. Brooke has cornered the born again vote to over ride her lack of talent and Dreadlocks minivoice Jason has control of the *** starved pre teens to stickl around. By talent Syesha is 3rd best, Cook #2, and Little David should be the winner!

[samthetvcat]

---"Yes, Carly has a good voice. But she is NOT an idol! Her manly, female wrestler appearance along with her "angry" singing style did not help her garner any votes or following."---
Posted by jerry_in_va

lol ha ha ha - I guess it''s a matter of personal taste but as a girl I found her kind of scary :o The same thing happened to Nadia Turner a couple of years back . . .

It probably tanked her chances that she wasn''t American . . . don''t they have an Irish Idol or anything like that? Also didn''t she already have a $2mil record contract before?

[jetlizhan]

i think carly has a fabulous voice and i wish her the best in her career. . .and she will have a singing career. look at what happened with chris daughtry - he was booted off pretty early and now he''s the most successful one!! every song on his cd ''daughtry'' is fantastic. i hope carly has just as much success. go tatoo one!!!