Before American Idol viewers ever met Carly Smithson on this season's shows, dedicated fans already felt like they'd known the San Diego-based Irish chanteuse for years.

While Smithson's elimination on Wednesday (April 24) ended her Season Seven Idol experience just short of the Top Five, her run on the show's fifth season was even shorter. The show's judges, always eager to cherry-pick early favorites, raved to the press that an Irish singer who'd auditioned in Las Vegas would be the season's stand-out. The only problem? Due to visa problems, Smithson had already been booted. That meant she didn't have the exposure and advantages of an American Idol run, but she also faced extra pressure when she auditioned again last summer.

"It was nerve-wracking," Smithson recalls, talking to the press the morning after her unexpected ouster. "You know, I've already been disqualified. I'm coming back. I had such a great audition in Las Vegas. They loved me. And then I come back and I just felt like it was like I had to beat myself, almost. I walked into the room and I gave it everything I had and it was actually really amusing, because you guys obviously haven't seen the footage of the Las Vegas audition, but I asked to see it it. I was so confused as to like, 'That wasn't as good as two years ago' and I watched it back and it's funny. Everyone says it's exactly the same. It was no different."

Smithson's San Diego audition may have sounded identical to the Las Vegas audition, but the expectations were different and even if judge Randy Jackson was usually a strong (and, some fans have suggested, ethically compromised) defender, Simon Cowell may have held those expectations against the singer.

"It's like he set this high bar for me straight-away and I was trying to beat myself every week to be better and better and better," Smithson says. "I felt that I did a great job. I gave it everything that I had and I was satisfied for myself with my performances. I guess Simon just had a different idea in his mind and I'm not sure he really wanted me to be who I am. I don't think they liked the whole pop-rock, Heart idea that I have about myself. I can't please everybody and he's only one person and he truly said to me the other night that he truly believes in me and he thinks that I'm very good and he has high hopes for me. I think all of his criticism wasn't necessarily negative. I think he just really wanted me to do well."

If Smithson's previous Idol potential raised the bar, the singer also had to deal with purists who felt that her previous professional credentials prevented her from being the Idol ideal. Although many of this year's contestants -- a group that includes Kristy Lee Cook and Michael Johns -- had had prior album deals, the story of the glorious failure of Smithson's debut was elevated to the status of online myth.

"Everybody feels that it was like a second chance. I'm not sure that I even had a first chance," Smithson says now. "I did get signed before, but it never really happened and it never came out. It went to stores, but it was never promoted. It just kind of crashed beneath my feet, the record label imploded. I learned a lot from my first experience and I understand that this was a second experience, but I feel like it was my first chance, you know that kind of way? And I like to see it in a fresh mind. I like to not dwell on things that had happened before and I just like to see this as the first real experience that I've really had. I learned so much more with this and such more of a positive experience than I had ever had in the past. I don't know. I like to look at this experience and just move on in the future."

She continues, "I just feel like such a different person... I'm very proud of the first record that I made, but at the same time, I was 15. How experienced are you with life at 15 years of age? I wrote like four songs on that record and I really enjoyed myself and I did learn a lot, but by the time 'Beautiful You,' one of the last tracks, was written, it was almost written just as the record was about to go out, it was just over. It went to stores. It never got promoted. And I ended up back in Ireland with just a weird situation, it just happened. I definitely feel like American Idol was like my first chance, my first real chance. People didn't know about me before and they never really heard of the record. It just never happened. So I definitely feel like this time, it was just so big and it was just on a different level and just such a different experience that I just feel like it was such a big gift."

Perhaps that final sentiment is the reason Smithson didn't seem crestfallen when Ryan Seacrest read her fate on Wednesday night.

"I know I just feel like American Idol has given me such a gift, such a platform to be able to launch myself off of," she says. "And no more theme songs! I'm actually not that sad to be leaving. I enjoyed every minute thoroughly, but we're back in two weeks to start preparing for the tour and the finale, so it's like a small break and I'm gonna be back so I think anywhere after Top 10 is just a bonus. I think I made enough of an impact to be able to reach a good fan base and now I just get to be me without a theme night and make a really cool record and so I'm excited."

A few other highlights from Smithson's exit interview:

On the unexpected source of her confidence this week: "I think maybe it was too late that I realized not to take everything so seriously, but early on in the show, they set the standard so high for me and they were a lot harder on me than other contestants and I think it got to me for maybe a few weeks and I think by the way I met Mariah Carey, I had kinda changed my mind. She was just cool and so normal and so nice. Because obviously we come into this and they want us to be a star, but I come from a bar and I have no idea what a star really is supposed to act like. I just thought it was really cool that when we met her, I was just like, 'Well, you know, I can just be normal and that's cool.'"

On her fashion taste, another Simon sticking point: "I don't want to look like everybody else. I am tattooed, so I'm not... dainty-wear doesn't really go down a treat with me. Sometimes it just looks kinda weird or awkward on me. Every week I just wanted to stand out a little bit more. Apparently Simon thinks I have bad fashion, but I really don't care. I love everything that I wore."

On the tattoo that many viewers have said resembles Amy Winehouse: "It's a geisha. It looks nothing like Amy Winehouse. It's just not colored in and everyone keeps asking me why I have Amy Winehouse on my arm, but it's actually been on my arm for two years, before she even came out. When it's colored in, you guys will all understand. It looks like she has big hair, but she actually doesn't. It's just because it's like black and white and it's not a close-up photo, but I have the actual painting at home and it's actually a Japanese geisha... I love my tattoo and that was one thing in the show that really bothered me that it wasn't finished and we never get any time. I really wanted to go and get it finished, but yeah, her face will be white and her lips will be red and she'll look nothing like Amy Winehouse by the time it's finished."

On this season's gender gap: "The boys this year, woman vote for this show. It's obvious. And they vote for the boys. The boys are adorable. I definitely feel that the girls had more of a struggle with year with trying to get the popularity vote. I think the boys are definitely charming the females a lot. And they're very talented, too. Everyone's very talented, but I think it was definitely a bit of a struggle for the ladies."

Comments

Love you Carly....and I cannot wait to buy your album. I look very much forward to seeing what you have in store for the world. I have no doubt you are going to be a HUGE success. Best of luck.

Ryan | Apr 24, 2008 4:08:03 PM | #

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Carly you are awesome and while I am glad that you are getting the opp to move on I think that there are AT LEAST two people that should have went before you, you are my favorite and I will support any album that you put out, BEST OF LUCK!!!!

Christine | Apr 24, 2008 6:26:19 PM | #

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You are fat and ugly and I am glad that you were finally shown the door

Chaman Jheenga | Apr 24, 2008 8:30:28 PM | #

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That dredlock Castro OR Brook should have been elimated. Everybody knows some of the idol won by popularity not by their talent. There should be NO ROOM for mistakes and Losers. Carly, I will be waiting for your album. YOUR NUMBER ONE FAN IN SAN DIEGO

Alai Soriano | Apr 24, 2008 11:54:05 PM | #

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You just let go the greatest female voice that's been on this show since Fantasia. Is she the whole package? Yes. She is. I can't wait to get her album and to hear more from her. She is my idol.

Alx | Apr 25, 2008 12:15:06 AM | #

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love you carly, so sad to see you leave. never stop here keep pushing sure you would make it big some day. wish you the best of luck...

Sandra Poge | Apr 25, 2008 1:40:36 AM | #

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LOL - you're completely useless Carly, Go back to working in a bar coz that's all ur good for.

Thank Goodness you're gone, you should never have been allowed on the show in the first place.

You are LOUD, OBNOXIUS, TALENTLES

Bea | Apr 25, 2008 5:48:52 AM | #

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LOL - you're completely useless Carly, Go back to working in a bar coz that's all ur good for.

Thank Goodness you're gone, you should never have been allowed on the show in the first place.

You are LOUD, OBNOXIUS, TALENTLES

Bea | Apr 25, 2008 5:48:57 AM | #

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>You are LOUD, OBNOXIUS, TALENTLES<

And you, Bea, are an obnoxious, illiterate, pathetic loser.

Hmmm | Apr 25, 2008 7:49:45 AM | #

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I'll never understand why some people feel the need to hurl insults at others. Give the kid a break, she's just trying to make her way in the world. Don't you have better things to do beside hate on someone you don't even know?

I think Carly is talented, I think she'll do well if she makes the right career choices, and I wish her the best.

Siansonea | Apr 25, 2008 8:31:48 AM | #

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Carly - pay no attention to these 2 posters here who are rude and disrespectful. You have an amazing talent and I love your voice...and the Irish brogue when you speak! I was sad to you go the other night because I had you as my top choice to be the new Idol! You should have had the chance to get into the final 2 but I'm glad you'll be on the tour. Best of luck in all your future endeavors - I'm sure you'll go far!

Ginni | Apr 25, 2008 11:26:44 AM | #

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Carly, I hate to say this, but I think you were eliminated the minute the cameras showed your husband's Mike Tyson-like tattooed face. I cannot imagine the umpteen millions of folks who decided not to vote for you, notwithstanding your talent, because of him. This isn't going to be news for you, but it's just too far out for the average American. Best of luck to you in your career.

Bill | Apr 25, 2008 11:34:34 AM | #

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Hey Carly:
I really like the performances you gave,and even the fact that your are an individual, your own person. I believe a lot of viewers prefer a "cookie cutter" image for Idol. That's a shame, we all lose when that happens. You deserve to pursue your
dreams,and show those pessimists that you should be no one but you. I can't wait for your record, and I won't be buying the "teeny bopper" music, I'm not narrow minded.

lj | Apr 26, 2008 6:10:38 AM | #

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Hey Carly:
I really like the performances you gave,and even the fact that your are an individual, your own person. I believe a lot of viewers prefer a "cookie cutter" image for Idol. That's a shame, we all lose when that happens. You deserve to pursue your
dreams,and show those pessimists that you should be no one but you. I can't wait for your record, and I won't be buying the "teeny bopper" music, I'm not narrow minded.

lj | Apr 26, 2008 6:10:46 AM | #

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My post from when this first came out is gone. Odd.

Anyway, Carly is the best female performer I've seen on AI ever. When she sang a Heart song, I was wowing over her voice. So many female singers today are semi-talented and rely on looking and dressing seductively. Carly can really belt out a tune with that great voice of hers and she is the only female singer in recent years I'd even consider buying her CD. Hope she has one coming out in the near future.

Ell | Apr 27, 2008 1:32:38 PM | #

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You shouldn't have gone out! i think yo're the best!!!!!

Mimi | Apr 30, 2008 4:34:41 AM | #

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You shouldn't have gone out! i think yo're the best!!!!!

Mimi | Apr 30, 2008 4:34:47 AM | #

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You are fat and ugly and I am glad that you were finally shown the door

You, my friend, are insanely ignorant. It's obvious AI is no longer a singing contest, it's a popularity contest. Carly was amazing and did so well, yet she was shown the door. Tell me what the viewers were smoking and where I can get some to believe Kristy and Jason have enough talent to get to the final 4?

Alec | Apr 30, 2008 2:43:14 PM | #

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I'm not young and I have never voted but CARLY? The most talented person before the cameras in a long time with a smile to melt your heart! Hope all your dreams come true. . . AND QUICKLY!

Carol | Apr 30, 2008 4:44:09 PM | #

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I'm not young and I have never voted but CARLY? The most talented person before the cameras in a long time with a smile to melt your heart! Hope all your dreams come true. . . AND QUICKLY!

Carol | Apr 30, 2008 4:44:10 PM | #

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I'm not young and I have never voted but CARLY? The most talented person before the cameras in a long time with a smile to melt your heart! Hope all your dreams come true. . . AND QUICKLY!

Carol | Apr 30, 2008 4:45:28 PM | #

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I'm anxiously awaiting to to hear about Carly's big recording contract or concert tours. She's an amazing talent with an absolutely wonderful voice and range....WOW!!! There have not been too many great voices like hers in a long, long, long time!!!! Hopefully, something great comes from AI for her and the public's entertainment joys of getting to hear her recordings!

Margie | May 1, 2008 4:48:52 AM | #

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I'm anxiously awaiting to to hear about Carly's big recording contract or concert tours. She's an amazing talent with an absolutely wonderful voice and range....WOW!!! There have not been too many great voices like hers in a long, long, long time!!!! Hopefully, something great comes from AI for her and the public's entertainment joys of getting to hear her recordings!

Margie | May 1, 2008 4:48:59 AM | #

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Good luck Carly in whatever you decide to do for a career.

Penny | May 1, 2008 7:14:09 PM | #

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Carly, you left way to soon. i felt you should still be in the competion. You have a beautiful voice, and a warm personality. good luck to you.......

cindy | May 2, 2008 12:55:17 PM | #

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