American Idol Cuts Mandisa

American Idol finalist Mandisa got the old cowboy boot on Wednesday's country-themed episode of the show, leaving eight contestants in the pool.

"Mandiva" gave her best on Shania Twain's "Any Man Of Mine," but it wasn't good enough, as one of the season's favourites found herself eliminated by viewers and Simon Cowell, the same judge who once named her the competition's best female singer. Cowell called her song selection "horrible" and emphasized to the other contestants how important that factor is in their survival on the show.

When host Ryan Seacrest announced the one-named wonder's departure, he called her "a great spirit on the show." Mandisa held that spirit through her goodbye by thanking viewers for their votes and prayers, which the 29-year-old said "will continue to have full force on me. So I thank you, and I bless you in the name of Jesus."

Mandisa wasn't the only Idol to blunder on country music night. Two other fan favourites, Elliott Yamin and Paris Bennett, got a scare when they experienced relegation to the bottom three for the first time. Yamin performed Garth Brooks' "If Tomorrow Never Comes," only to be told by Cowell that it was a "safe" and "hesitant" choice. Bennett's take on Trisha Yearwood's "How Do I Live" had Cowell break character by giving the vocalist an "excellent" grade, but fellow judge Randy Jackson was less enthusiastic and called it a "tough song" for the 17-year-old.

Wednesday night's episode kicked-off with a performance of "I Can't Unlove You" by country legend Kenny Rogers. Next week the finalists will have to tackle songs from the Queen catalogue.