Smithson's exit proves 'American Idol' isn't just about talent

I think by now we've established that "American Idol" is NOT just a singing competition. It's also a popularity contest.

It's rather like running for student-body officer in high school. You have to have a lot of friends vote for you. In this case, it's a lot of fans.

This week, I think it's safe to say a lot of "American Idol" viewers were shocked to see a talented singer like Carly Smithson leave the top six — especially after she brought down the house on Tuesday singing Andrew Lloyd Webber's "Jesus Christ Superstar."

"It was one of my favorite performances of the night," judge Simon Cowell said. But, shockingly, the viewing audience didn't agree — or simply didn't express their enthusiasm in votes. Cowell even apologized for giving Smithson the "kiss of death" by complimenting her.

Perhaps that's why he's been so cold the past few weeks?

There is such a wide range of emotions that come over you when you hear your name as the one voted out.

For me, it started out as relief. I was truly ready to go home. I felt that, emotionally, I wasn't strong enough to stay for another week.

I told myself it was OK; that this is what I wanted; that now I could attend my senior prom and graduate from high school with my friends. As a 17-year-old, those were two things I was looking forward to most.

But as soon as my "goodbye video" came on, I couldn't hold back the tears. It hit me that a huge part of my life was over.

And looking over to those blue benches and seeing my friends smiling at me was so comforting. I felt lucky. I couldn't believe what I had just accomplished. I was also content with the outcome. But it was still all a bit surreal until I actually flew home.

Everything seemed different, not just that the leaves on the trees were green. I hadn't been back to Utah since February, and my friends and family also seemed different to me somehow. I had just been through "the craziest ride of my life," in Smithson's words, and now had to try and figure out what to do next.

Making it to the top six of "American Idol" was much further than I had ever hoped or dreamed of going — so it wasn't much of a shock to me.

Smithson's ouster, on the other hand, was a shock.

Fans tend to vote for underdogs like Brooke White and Jason Castro. Both had rough performances Tuesday. White even had the band start the song over because she "lost the lyric." Yet both were safe, joining David Archuleta, David Cook and Syesha Mercado in the final five.