Tonight’s American Idol results may not have been as shocking as the night Michael Johns was shown the door. But there’s no way we imagined anyone not named Brooke White would be going home.

Instead - because viewers obviously felt sorry for White after she forgot the lyrics to “You Must Love Me” on Tuesday night - Carly Smithson was voted out.

We’ve been Brooke backers all season long, but she deserved to be sent home this week. Smithson put on an inspired, lively rendition of “Jesus Christ Superstar” and, let’s face it, Brooke choked under the pressure. It was time for her to go.

Weigh in now: Did Smithson deserve to be eliminated?

The look on the face of Carly Smithson below says it all:

No Effin Way!!!!

That was the general reaction of all American Idol viewers last night, when it was announced that Michael Johns had somehow been eliminated.

As he sang his farewell song, the other finalists stood and clapped for their fallen Idol. Johns then moved from the stage to the platform behind the judges to be closer to the audience.

Earlier in the night, Simon Cowell had spoken for us all when he said: “I’m going to miss you. You’re a very good singer and a very, very nice guy.”

Will you miss Michael Johns on the show? 

Last night’s American Idol saw a farewell to Chikezie.

It also marked the end of what would have been a major bombshell, but now appears to be nothing more than standard American Idol gossip.

Contestant Carly Smithson, whose singing background has made her a frequent target of controversy as it is, was rumored to be pregnant.

Dressed in a somewhat frumpy get-up, Carly Smithson had a bathroom break before performing on American Idol Tuesday. Did she throw up?

One of this season’s favorites from the get-go, a non-pregnant Carly Smithson performed strongly on American Idol, soaring safely into next week’s final nine.

Pregnant celebrities are all the rage, so you knew this rumor had legs - but it turns out she just dresses poorly and had to use the bathroom like everybody else.

Carly Smithson used last night’s results show to address rumors that she is pregnant, telling Ryan Seacrest: “Apparently I’m pregnant — but I’m not!”

With American Idol having chosen its top 12 singers for the finals, we need to make our weekly Power Poll more of a challenge.

Choosing the top five contenders at this point in the competition would be listing almost half the remaining singers. And that’s too easy.

Therefore, here’s a look at the three American Idol hopefuls we think have the best chance of winning season seven:

1. David Archuleta: Can this 17-year old wonder kid go wire to wire as the favorite? He’s given us no reason to think otherwise. Remember Melinda Doolittle last season, though, fans.

2. Brooke White: This might be wishful thinking, but White is a breath of fresh, folksy air. We’ve seen enough loud, diva-like singers over the year on Idol to get behind a pretty face who just sits on a stool, strums a guitar and makes beautiful music.

3. Carly Smithson: We could have placed either Michael Johns or Jason Castro in this spot, too, but Smithson gets the nod for her consistency. We also have a feeling the best is yet to come from this Irish crooner.

Who do you think will win American Idol?

We’re a little afraid to hear what former co-workers of David Hernandez would say about that American Idol contestant.

But TMZ spoke to some of Carly Smithson’s former co-workers San Diego Irish bar The Field. Here’s what they had to say about the Irish singer:

• Carly, who started out as a server and got promoted to bartender, is easy-going and good-natured.
• Hr specialty was serving Guinness beer with hearts and shamrock shapes in the foam.
• She loved making bacon-wrapped filet mignon. Sorry, PETA.

Even after a failed album on MCA Records in 2001, Smithson would often sing at the bar after her Saturday night shift.

How far can Carly Smithson go on American Idol? We’d wager that she makes the top six at least.

The top two spots on this week’s American Idol Power Poll hold healthy leads over the rest of the field. That’s what happens when you make Paula Abdul cry and sing Simon Cowell’s theme song with such restraint and beauty.

Here are the current rankings:

1. David Archuleta: Imagine him as American Idol champion. It’s easy if you can. No hell below us. Above us only sky. Imagine all the people. Living for today, and this 17-year old singer.

2. Brooke White: Given a guitar, a stool and the Carly Simon hit song “You’re So Vain,” White sky-rocketed to this ranking after last week’s performance. We hope viewers reward her relaxed vocal stylings over other, louder singers.

3. Michael Johns: Bit of a complacent audition last week, but Johns still has the look and the talent to remain in the top three. No one else stepped up to take it from him.

4. Asiah Epperson: The young beauty chose a difficult song last week, but her version of “All By Myself” wasn’t nearly as atrocious as Simon made it out to be. Still has the look and personality to go far.

5. Carly Smithson: Sang “Crazy On You” last week, but we still can’t say we’re too crazy about Smithson. The talent is obviously there, but is yet to break through. Might be saving epic, David Archuleta-like performance for later rounds.

Carly Smithson is at the center of an American Idol debate: should singers with a professional background have an opportunity to audition on the show?

The contestant recently talked to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution about her previous recording contract and failed album “Ultimate High,” released in 2001.

“I kind of had a bad experience,” the American Idol finalist said.

Smithson (known then as Carly Hennessy) worked with Gregg Alexander, lead singer of the New Radicals and he pushed her toward a more alternative record that she was ready for.

“Gregg pushed the envelope with the lyrics,” Carly said. “I thought it was a great, cool record. I listen to it to this day. It had some great tracks on it. He helped me find exactly what my sound was. I was pleased.”

Given the adult nature of the CD, MCA waited until Smithson was 18 to release the single “I’m Gonna Blow Your Mind” (about oral sex, Antonella Barba fans).

It was gaining traction, she said, but then 9/11 happened and “nobody was interested in shopping a new record.”

At that time, the label tried to promote the CD in Europe. Carly moved there, but she said the record company went away at that point and promotion really stopped.

“The [Wall Street Journal article that documented her failure] forget to mention all that,” she said. “It looked like I put out a record and it went nowhere.”

She said the reacton to the story “was kind of crazy. One article can have such a snowball effect. They believed everything in it.”

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As we reported a few weeks ago, American Idol finalist Carly Smithson is no stranger to the music business.

The Irish crooner released a CD in 2001 entitled “Ultimate High.” Despite a $2 million promotional campaign from MCA records, the album tanked. Now, Carly is getting another shot at stardom on Idol.

Many fans believe this to be unfair. But executive produce Nigel Lythgoe doesn’t understand the controversy.

“We have never not shown their past when we can,” Lythgoe told reporters during a conference call Friday, claiming the show never intended on hiding Smithson’s professional background. “There is nothing wrong with saying she had a deal and she didn’t get anywhere in that deal and now here she is. I’ve got no problems with that whatsoever.”

Do you care that Carly Smithson had a recording contract years ago? Chime in now in our American Idol forum!

According to show rules, contestants simply must be free from any recording contracts when they audition.

“[Fellow American Idol 7 Top 24 semifinalist] David Archuleta won [the CBS Star Search revival] Arsenio Hall [hosted] when he was 11. That’s fantastic. That’s all part of their careers,” said Lythgoe. “I’m not worried about that. I don’t honestly know what the angle is, because all we’re saying is this girl is extremely talented. It’s within the rules of the competition. What’s wrong with it. She’s not broken any rules.”

In the end, Nigel reasoned, fans will have the final say.

“They’re going to have to decide, ‘Is she good enough to be on the show?’ It’s not what’s happened in her past. She’s not breaking any rules of the competition. I don’t see the logic. I don’t see any logic in there.”

Now that American Idol has whittled down its contestants to the final 24, our Power Poll gets serious.

Only talented competitors remain in what many followers consider to be the show’s most impressive season to date. But who is leading the pack heading into tomorrow night’s performance of the top 12 males. Let’s find out…

1. Michael Johns (last week: #2): He has the looks, experience, singing talent… and the best accent in American Idol history. The Aussie’s professional background may turn off some viewers, however.

2. Asia’h Epperson (last week: #8): Young and enthusiastic, reminds us of Melinda Doolittle with her innocence and charm. Possesses more personality than this finalist from last season.

3. David Archuleta (last week: #4): Arguably the favorite for many, but we’ve got a Simon-like question about this talent: does he really have music superstar written on him?

4. Carly Smithson (last week: #7): Similar to Johns. Great look, sound, experience and accent. But will voters not wanna reward someone who has already put out a label-sponsored album?

5. Kristy Lee Cook (pictured, last week: #1): Also signed with a record label in 2001, but that’s almost part for this year’s American Idol course. Has been a contender since the first night of auditions.

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We’re off to Hollywood!

As American Idol enters its fifth week of auditions, the show truly begins: contestants are judged in Hollywood and only the best of the best move one. Before they do, however, let’s rank the top hopefuls so far in our third Power Poll of the season…

1. Kristy Lee Cook (last week: #1, pictured): Beautiful Oregonian’s ”Amazing Grace” was highlight of the initial American Idol audition shows - but will fans revolt against her one-time record deal with Arista Nashville? Then again, she certainly isn’t alone in having a professional background.

2. Michael Johns (last week: #2): Also referred to as “Michael Lee Johns,” the former band member once had a deal with Madonna’s music label. The Aussie made a strong impression with a tight T-shirt, toned biceps, and a solid Otis Redding cover.

3. David Cook (last week: #6): Rocker with his sights set on the moniker of “this year’s Chris Daughtry,” Cook impressed viewers with his vocal range on Bon Jovi’s “Livin on a Prayer.”

4. David Archuleta (last week: #3): Former Star Search winner has the sympathy vote locked up: he struggled with a paralyzed vocal chord as a child. Might he be this year’s Sanjaya Malakar… with talent?

5. Amanda Overmyer (new this week): She’s a nurse! She’s a gothic rocker! She’s a talented singer with a unique look, sound and personality.

6. Chikezie Eze (new this week, pictured): Tried out for the show last year. Approved for Hollywood this time around with a rendition of “All the Woman I Need.” Handsome, talented.

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