Carly Smithson - American Idol 7 Top 12 - Cast Party

Carly Smithson at the American Idol Top 12 cast party

Carly Smithson is not as popular as American Idol would want her to be. Plus, the show has lost control in billing her as the front-runner and the one to beat, since the controversy of Carly Smithson's $2.2 million recording contract hit the mainstream media well before the competition started. If there's anything that the show hates is losing control, and American Idol lost control of this story very early. So now, instead of continuing with their narrative throughout the auditions and Hollywood that Carly would dominate, the show has changed gears and is portraying her as someone not meeting up to her full potential -- who will obviously "bloom" and then be the one to beat in the next few weeks.

Nevertheless, there is still hope for Carly Smithson to build up some good will and fans among the American Idol viewers. However, she is clearly no Kelly Clarkson -- the original comparison Simon Cowell made 2 years ago. Carly may be able to match Kelly Clarkson vocally, but she cannot connect to the young American female audience like Kelly. This is the reason why she is destined to be the shock, high-profile elimination this year. American Idol has invested so much in her that it is highly unlikely that they will not have her in the endgame. I think it's kinda stupid to have spent almost all the airtime on her during the auditions and Hollywood, only to have her kicked off in the middle of the Top 10.

Rickey's Bold Prediction: Top 3 shock elimination for the ages

Carly Smithson fans (The Rickey Smiths!) on Rickey.org
Carly Smithson audition
Carly Smithson -- Crazy on You (on iTunes)
Carly Smithson -- I Drove All Night (on iTunes)
Carly Smithson -- Shadow of Your Smile (on iTunes)

Good News! Carly Smithson's debut album "Ultimate High" is now available! Ultimate High on amazon.com

Listen to "RIP in Heaven" from Carly Smithson's debut album: