"We're looking for the best in America," "American Idol" judge Randy Jackson told contestant Carmen Rasmusen this week after her performance of "Love Will Lead You Back," "and I don't think you're even close."

The call-in voters didn't think so, either. As a result, the 18-year-old from Bountiful, Utah, got the old heave-ho Wednesday night, leaving behind fan favorite Ruben Studdard, Marine Josh Gracin, the overly expressive Clay Aiken and Tennessee natives Trenyce and Kimberley Locke.

"It's such a big stepping stone. It's been awesome," a stiff-upper-lipped Rasmusen said when host Ryan Seacrest delivered the bad news.

Besides Rasmusen, the lowest vote grabbers of the remaining five as of Wednesday were Josh and Trenyce.

"Not one of these three have any chance of winning this competition," acerbic judge Simon Cowell had said before Carmen received her verdict. "Whichever two of you are left, you really have to raise your game."

The show also saved time for Kelly Clarkson, who won the first "American Idol" competition last summer. She was shown getting word that her first album, "Thankful," debuted as No. 1 on the current Billboard pop charts.