Television April 24, 2008
Smithson Sent Packing
In a surprising "Idol" elimination, the luck of the Irish wasn't enough to save tattooed Carly Smithson from low votes. Although the singer pleased the judges with her rendition of "Jesus Christ Superstar," -- Simon called it one of his "favorites of the night" -- viewers didn't agree.
Judge Randy Jackson told host Ryan Seacrest, "It must be a bit of a popularity week in the vote." Jason Castro and Brooke White, the two contestants who fumbled their way through the musical numbers of Andrew Lloyd Webber and disappointed the judges, were not only spared the ax -- they even managed to avoid being in the bottom two!
Simon encouraged Carly, saying, "You can leave with your head held high," and she did. After hearing her fate, Smithson said, "I'm very proud of myself and I'm very happy. I'm not upset that I'm going home. I'm okay. I've had the best time here."
