Mandisa Gets the "Idol" Boot (E! Online)

The big-voiced American Idol contestant, whose powerful pipes earned her the nickname "Mandiva," became the latest casualty of the talent search Wednesday, after her performance of Shania Twain's "Any Man of Mine" was deemed "horrible" by Simon Cowell during Tuesday's episode.

Though Cowell once referred to Mandisa as the best female singer in the competition, he noted that success "comes down to song choice."

Unfortunately for Mandisa, she chose poorly, costing her a valuable portion of the almost 35 million votes cast by viewers.

The 29-year-old Tennessee native could not hold back her tears as she received the news.

"I want to thank my fans so much, your support has meant the world to me," she said. "I thank you and I bless you in the name of Jesus."

"You've been a great spirit on the show," Ryan Seacrest told her, as the audience rose to give the ousted singer a standing ovation.

Mandisa's elimination spared her fellow bottom-three finishers Paris Bennett and Elliot Yamin from going home. It was the first week that any of the fan favorites had found themselves at the low end of the vote tally.

Bennett's performance of "How Do I Live" received mixed reviews from judges, with Cowell calling it "excellent," while Randy Jackson deemed it "a tough song" for her 17-year-old voice.

Yamin, 27, performed Garth Brooks' "If Tomorrow Never Comes" and was informed by Cowell that he would "have to do better than that."

Even so, Yamin still managed to do better than Mandisa, at least as far as Idol voters were concerned.

Kenny Rogers served as the country-heavy week's celebrity coach and performed his single "I Can't Unlove You" from his new album Water & Bridges during Wednesday's show.

Next week, the contestants will be switching musical gears as they take on the songs of Queen, after rehearsing with the legendary British rockers earlier this week.

In its fifth season, Idol continues to rack up monster ratings for Fox. Tuesday's performance episode averaged 28 million viewers, while Wednesday's results show attracted 25.4 million viewers.

Eight contestants remain in the running: Bennett, Yamin, Ace Young, Bucky Covington, Chris Daughtry, Katharine McPhee, Kellie Pickler and Taylor Hicks. The winner is slated to be announced May 24.