AOL RED - Hot photos, gossip, music and style for teens

"To me, I made it," Syesha Mercado says after being eliminated from 'American Idol' on Thursday. The 21-year-old Floridian survived weeks of the intense competition, making it to the top three, but despite putting forth a strong effort, the country had decidedly wanted a David vs. David finale.

"I think anybody who is on the show makes it." she continues. "Success is different for every person."

Read what Syesha has to say about the Davids and her final performance in her AOL TV elimination interview.

It's a battle of the Davids in next week's finale of 'American Idol.' Last night, Syesha Mercado was sent packing (not a shocker), leaving David Cook and David Archuleta in the pit for the grand prize. While Syesha did her best to wow the fans, Paula Abdul predicted her fate on Tuesday when she said her performance of "Hit Me Up" wasn't "good enough to get into the finals."

Read fans' reactions to Syesha's elimination below, and stay tuned next week to see which David will be crowned No. 1.

You've been voting for contestants since January, but now that 'American Idol' is coming to an end, it's time to cast your vote on the entire season.

What was your least favorite theme week? Does Simon's opinion really affect how you vote? Who was the worst mentor? These are just some of the things you can chime in on in AOL TV's Ultimate 'Idol' Survey. Vote now!

In not-so-surprising news, 20-year-old Jason Castro was the latest to get booted from 'American Idol' last night. The Texas native seemed to know what was in store for him after flubbing the lines to Bob Dylan's 'Mr. Tambourine Man' on Tuesday. This leaves David Cook, Syesha Mercado and fan favorite David Archuleta vying for the grand prize.

How does Jason feel about the entire 'Idol' experience? Find out in his telling AOL TV exit interview.

Sure, the 'American Idol' contestants of past and present have shown us they can sing, but what's up with their hair? There have been some serious hair styles gone bad in the talent show series and AOL TV has gathered them all up so we can ask the question: "What were they thinking?" Take a look back at the worst of 'Idol's' hair-don'ts in the gallery below.

Well, we're down to 'American Idol's' final four, and there just doesn't seem to be a way to stop golden child David Archuleta ... or is there? AOL TV came up with 10 smart (and funny) ways to take down the singing ace. David Cook, Jason Castro and Syesha Mercado better start taking notes.

Arizona's Brooke White is the latest to be snipped from 'American Idol.' Although Syesha Mercado was also in the hot seat, America voted off the 24-year-old in last night's tearful show.

Brooke performed two Neil Diamond songs, one of which Simon Cowell called "a nightmare." Now, only four finalists are left on this season's competition. Who will the winner be?

Last night, in an 'American Idol' shocker, 38 million voters sent 24-year-old Carly Smithson packing. Carly wowed the judges with her rendition of 'Superstar,' from Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical 'Jesus Christ Superstar,' but the majority of viewers weren't impressed.

Brooke White had to begin her song again after a false start, but America clearly forgave the snafu. "It must be a bit of a popularity week in the vote," Randy Jackson said.

Carly's departure leaves just five young hopefuls in contention for the top spot.

Although Simon Cowell's protege Leona Lewis is a fellow Brit, she's making chart-topping history right here in the U.S. Her debut record, 'Spirit,' is the No. 1 album in the States, and her smash single 'Bleeding Love' is locked in the "most played" section of iPods nationwide. Leona will be making a special performance of her hit on tonight's 'American Idol,' but until then you can check out her video for that addictive song right here.

Kristy Lee Cook made her departure from 'American Idol' last week, and now she's opening up about the experience to AOL TV. "It was definitely a shock for me to go home," the 24-year-old says about of being eliminated. "I wish I wouldn't have left so soon; I wanted to be in the top five."

But it's not all tears for this songbird. "I'm happy that Brooke's still in the competition because she's one of my best friends." Read what else Kristy Lee had to say about the show in this post-elimination interview.

This year's 'American Idol' contestants have been whittled down to the serious six after sending Kristy Lee Cook home last night. Though the 24-year-old's rendition of Mariah Carey's 'Forever' garnered 36 million votes, it failed to impress viewers more than Syesha Mercado and Brooke White's performances.

Simon Cowell called Kristy Lee's cover "whiny" but also said, "You managed with what you could." Randy Jackson added that he "didn't think that [performance] was amazing."

Read what fans like you had to say about Kristy Lee being knocked off in AOL TV's 'AI' results feature.