Kristy Lee Cook Voted Off 'Idol'

LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- After a shaky start in the Top 12, followed by an amazing turnaround, country cutie Kristy Lee Cook was finally sent on her way on "American Idol" Wednesday, reducing the competition to the final six.

"Can I go ride my horse now," a tearful Kristy Lee said after the results were revealed, referring to the animal she sold to make it to "Idol's" audition round.

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In one of the most dramatic elimination episodes of the season, Ryan Seacrest split the final seven into two groups - David Cook, Kristy Lee Cook and Brooke White on the left side of the stage, and Carly Smithson, Jason Castro and Syesha Mercado on the right.

David Archuleta, was told he was safe and moving on to next week.

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To further confuse audiences though, before identifying which group was safe, Ryan asked David Cook and Syesha Mercado to switch groups. Shortly thereafter, David Cook, Carly and Jason were granted safety. Syesha was sent to join them, revealing Brooke White as the second lowest vote-getter of the evening.

In addition to the drama, "Idol" used the episode to tackle some of the emotional moments of Tuesday's competition, including David Cook's teary-eyed reaction after he received hearty praise from the judges.

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"There were a lot of things that happened this week and it all came to a head at that moment," David Cook said of his reaction. "The fact that I put a lot of myself into that song this week and the fact that it went over as well as it did, was just kind of a little overwhelming."

Carly Smithson also took the opportunity to point out that Simon Cowell has been critical of her this season, something the judge said he did for her own good.

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"I think you're potentially great," Simon said. "I do and I just want to give you that extra push sometimes."