(Reuters) - Clay Aiken arrives at the 2006 American Music Awards on November 21, 2006 in Los Angeles. (Lucy Nicholson/Reuters)

(AP) - Ace Young of 'American Idol' arrives at the VH1 Save The Music Foundation's third annual Big Shopping Day in Los Angeles Saturday, April 26, 2008. Guests shopped among retailers who donate high-end clothing, beauty products and home items. Proceeds benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation's work to restore instrumental music education in U.S. public schools. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

(AP) - From left, singers Teddy Geiger, Ace Young of 'American Idol,' and sisters Kelly and Camile Karmina who are the singing group 'Karmina' get together at the VH1 Save The Music Foundation's third annual Big Shopping Day in Los Angeles Saturday, April 26, 2008. Guests shopped among retailers who donate high-end clothing, beauty products and home items. Proceeds benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation's work to restore instrumental music education in U.S. public schools. (AP Photo/Reed Saxon)

While some skeptics might claim that Carly Smithson was just keeping a stiff upper lip after her elimination the other night, Carly begs to differ with that theory. In a phone interview with her after her departure, she explains that she reacted so well to her departure because she truly wasn't sad. As she put it, "I know I feel like American Idol has given me such a gift, such a platform to be able to launch myself off of and no more theme songs. I’m actually, I’m not that sad to be leaving. I enjoyed every minute thoroughly, but you know we’re back in two weeks to start preparing for the tour and the finale. So it’s like a small break and I’m going to be back." She's thrilled to have gained a loyal fan base, and to have the opportunity to make a "cool record." There have been quite a few theories on why Carly was voted off, and she tends to agree with some of them. For example, there was some bad press about her being too experienced at the beginning of the show due to having a previous contract, and that's when Carly says a lot of the really strong fan bases were formed. That doesn't mean, however, that she let it get to her. Instead, she says she had the most fun she could have possibly had with each performance. Although Carly doesn't deny that she has a strong background in singing, she revealed in the interview that she took a break from singing all together at one point because of how difficult her pursuit of a music career had been. She became a waitress in Atlanta in about 2003, and picked up with that when she moved to San Diego as well. What's funny is she never even mentioned that she could sing when she worked at Fado in Atlanta, and, ironically, the singer there right around time was Michael Johns! It wasn't until she began performing at the bar in San Diego in 2005 that she realized she really wanted to get back into music again. Carly doesn't like to think of her time on "Idol" as a second chance, however. She released her first CD when she was only 15, and she said it wasn't promoted at all, so it "imploded." "I like to not dwell on things that had happened before, and I just like to see this as the first real experience that I’ve really had. You know I learned so much more with this and had such more of a positive experience than I had ever had in the past." As many viewers probably noticed, Simon Cowell was particularly hard on Carly from the start of the season. Carly thinks it might have been because he didn't see her as the pop rock singer that she envisions. But she doesn't think his criticism was all bad. She even said that he told her directly that he has very high hopes for her career, and she thinks a lot of his comments were given because he wanted her to do the best she could. Of course, there were some viewers who had a hard time getting past Carly's extensive tattoos. But Carly wants everyone to know that the one on her arm is not an Amy Winehouse tattoo, but rather an image of a Geisha that she hasn't had time to get filled in! One aspect Carly will definitely miss is the friends she made while on the show, and she even noted the interesting roles they all seemed to play. As she said, she became a sort of "camp counselor," wiping everyone's eyes and making sure they kept it together. She tends to see the positives in everyone, and says that each of the remaining Idols has a certain strength. They're also very distinct, unlike some other seasons, so it's hard to really compare them. She did admit, however, that her favorite left a while back, and that was Amanda Overmyer, who Carly thought was "fantastic." The only real regret Carly has about her experience is learning too late the importance of having more fun with the song choices instead of just going for the song that showcases her vocals. As she explained, "I had fun, and I think maybe it was too late, but I realized not to take everything so seriously. You know early on in the show they had set the standard so high for me, and they were a lot harder on me than other contestants and I think it kind of got to me for a maybe a few weeks, and I think by the time I met Mariah Carey I had kind of changed my mind. She was just so cool and so normal and so nice." Oh, and she does have one other small regret...not being able to take advantage of Neil Diamond's extensive song library! In fact, she was planning on doing a "balladish" version of "Sweet Caroline" with a piano and the cello. Watch Carly's in-person exit interview now!

Carrie Underwood graces the cover of In Style this May, and she opens up about everything from tough break-ups to body image to being a fashion icon! Catch a glimpse of the article below: o Advice for the cheated-on: "I’ve been cheated on a time or two. It’s tough. I wouldn’t recommend doing any property damage, though [laughs]. Now I’m to the point where you get one shot. Life’s too short." o How she gets over a breakup: "I’m a ‘let it go, move on’ kind of person. And ice cream is my friend. If anybody seems me eating a sundae and I look unhappy, something bad has happened. I am drowning my sorrows in fudge and caramel and whipped cream. But then I’m like, 'New day.'" o What she would change about her body: "I think about what I look like probably more than I should. But I think everybody is her own worst critic..." o Not splurging: “I don’t buy expensive jewelry and fur coats and Escalades. I’ve never bought a car in my life. The car I have, a Ford Mustang convertible, is the one I won on Idol—I guess I need to go buy a new car after all!” o Which features she likes about herself: "I’m content with 90 percent of me, but there’s not one thing I love. I like my teeth. Sometimes I wonder if my orthodontist realizes who important he was." o Being a fashion icon: "Girls have it harder in country music. Guys can be balding and overweight. But look at the women: Faith Hill? Beautiful. Trisha Yearwood, Martina McBride? Beautiful. Kellie Pickler, Miranda Lambert? Everybody has to be beautiful, I don’t think it’s fair. When you dream of becoming a singer, you don’t say to yourself,’But I don’t have the look for it.’ I hire people to make me beautiful so I can keep up with everybody else." o If she could do one thing: "If I could do one thing, I’d make the day longer and refuse to work the extra hours." For exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of In Style's May cover shoot with Carrie, go to InStyle.com. Pick up the May issue of In Style on newsstands everywhere, starting today!

Sure, you've formed your opinions on which Idols sing their way into your hearts, but do you really know what makes them tick? americanidol.com had the opportunity to sit down with the Top 5 Idols and chat. Brooke White opens about her emotional journey, David Archuleta explains what his experience is like as the youngest Idol of the season, David Cook talks about his theory on the key to success, Jason Castro explains how he just tries to be himself, and Syesha Mercado gives us the scoop on what she really thinks of Simon! Make sure to check out each interview below: Brooke White David Archuleta David Cook Jason Castro Syesha Mercado

(Reuters) - REFILE-CORRECTING SPELLING OF U.S. PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH Standing in front of a mosquito net, U.S. President George W. Bush speaks about preventing malaria during a visit to the Northwest Boys and Girls Club in Hartford, Connecticut April 25, 2008. Standing beside Bush is Melinda Doolittle, a former American Idol finalist and spokeswoman for Malaria No More. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES)

(Reuters) - Standing in front of a mosquito net, U.S. President Geroge W. Bush speaks about preventing malaria during a visit to the Northwest Boys and Girls Club in Hartford, Connecticut April 25, 2008. Standing beside Bush is Melinda Doolittle, a former American Idol finalist and spokeswoman for Malaria No More. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque (UNITED STATES)

(AP) - President Bush speaks about Malaria awareness in front of a mosquito net as he tours the Northwest Boys and Girls Club in Hartford, Conn., Friday, April 25, 2008. With him are former American Idol finalist Melinda Doolittle, center, and Milwaukee Bucks basketball player Charlie Villanueva, right. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

(AP) - American Idol contestants Jason Castro, right, and David Archuleta arrive at the Britweek launch party at the British Consul Generals' residence in Los Angeles on Thursday, April 24, 2008. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)