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Now that it's all over, "I'm just ready to make a record and just enjoy life in general and I don't know ... go to the beach, do the things I used to do in my everyday life," said Carly Smithson in her exit interview. The former pop-star misfire was oddly optimistic about her ouster considering how badly she wanted this chance. Perhaps she thinks a sixth place finish is enough to salvage her failed career and make one last final stab at super-stardom.

It's odd to me to think of Carly as this music industry veteran who's already had her shot and failed at the industry because she's still only 24 years old. Granted, she was a teen when she took that shot, but she still has talent and youth and charm. I know there's been a lot of crap slung her way for not being new to the industry, and even accusations that she was planted on the show by Idol producers, but even so is Carly really to blame for all of it?

In an effort to streamline the reading of this post, I am separating it into two sections. We'll cover what Carly's been up to and what she has planned for the future as well as any other commentary here in the first section followed by a separate section for chronicling her journey in videos. You can also look for video footage of young Carly Hennessy both performing live, in a mall perhaps, and her first major video released in conjunction with her MCA/Geffen album, Ultimate High, which famously flopped in 2001.

According to at least one article, as recently as 2002 efforts were continuing to try and revitalize Carly's career in Europe on the basis of High and its single, "I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind." When the push in early 2002 for the album failed in Europe as badly as it did here in the states, she flew back to the states and continued her struggles to make a go of it in the music industry, getting married and tattooed along the way.

She continued to book gigs and perform as Carly Henessy, even keeping the name when she wed, only recently changing it to Carly Smithson before her latest audition for Idol. Perhaps this was a half-assed attempt to mask her not-so-star-studded past from coming to light, or her struggling to give up on her almost realized dreams of superstardom and fame. She admitted that if her current run on Idol had faltered early on she'd have given up on music altogether. I'd say she made it far enough this time around to make another go of it, and I'm sure she will.

After all, Carly is committed to making a star of herself. From some of the articles I've read, including the above linked one, Carly may be more a victim of circumstances than most people want to give her credit for. That said, it's an incredibly tough industry to try and break into these past several years and yet some new artists are able to do just that. Carly would have stood a much better chance of success fifteen years ago or so, but who knows? With the industry switching back toward the era of singles, downloadable now instead of those forty-fives, over full albums as their money-making tools, maybe she can get the public's attention after all.

She definitely has an amazing vocal talent, if a bit misguided and misdirected at times. But set her up with a great single and get it bookended on the right television show or movie and she's right back in there. Remember that Kelly Clarkson's solo career post-Idol was in question until she hit it huge with a soundtrack single ("Breakaway" from The Princess Diaries 2. I remember that before that hit she'd been struggling to get radio airplay after "Miss Independent," even though her debut album, Thankful, sold very well.

Carly definitely has the drive and determination, and the controversy, which could actually serve to help her. Like Sanjaya last year, she's one of the most well-known contestants of the season. All she needs to do is capitalize on that and make smart moves as quickly as possible once she wraps that summer tour up with the Idols. Somehow, I think this second, or third or whatever, shot at fame just might work for Ms. Hennessy, I mean Mrs. Smithson.

Videos
There truly are some amazing moments here, though I think Carly was strongest in some of her earlier performances. It would seem that the escalating pressure and strain may have been getting to her as there was less shouting and screeching in some of those earlier moments. But one thing that is true in looking back at these performances. Somewhere in all that emotional damage (I think her struggles in the industry have really messed her up emotionally) is just an amazing vocalist. Truly.

Carly's elimination and final moments on American Idol:


Top 6 "Superstar," Jesus Christ Superstar, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice


Top 7 "Without You," Badfinger


Top 8 "The Show Must Go On," Queen


Top 9 "Here You Come Again," Dolly Parton


Top 10 "Total Eclipse of the Heart," Bonnie Tyler


Top 11 "Blackbird," The Beatles


Top 12 "Come Together," The Beatles


Top 16 "I Drove All Night," Cyndi Lauper


Top 20 "Crazy on You," Heart


Top 24 "The Shadow of Your Smile," Tony Bennett


A nice combination of Carly's Idol appearances up through her selection into the Top 24:


Carly's video for "I'm Gonna Blow Your Mind," which struggled to catch on as a pop single due to its subject matter (oral pleasure don't you know!):


Live back in the day with her second single release, "Beautiful You"


[via Wikipedia, VH1 and more!]

IDOL SEASON 7 FAREWELLS
#7 - Kristy Lee Cook
#8 - Michael Johns
#9 - Ramiele Malubay
#10 - Chikezie
#11 - Amanda Overmyer
#12 - David Hernandez
#13 - Danny Noriega
#14 - Asia'h Epperson
#15 - Luke Menard
#16 - Kady Malloy
#17 - Robbie Carrico
#18 - Alaina Whitaker
#19 - Alexandrea Lushington
#20 - Jason Yeager
#21 - Colton Berry
#22 - Joanne Borgella
#23 - Amy Davis
#24 - Garrett Haley