Against all expectations, the judges' favorite, Melinda Doolittle, was kicked out by voters from the Idol competition, which proved once again that the best doesn't always win.

Obviously the most talented and consistent contestant on the show, the 29-year-old experienced backup singer failed to gain the right amount of votes that would have kept her in the competition, placing last.

"If I'm going to award a place in the final for the person who has consistently delivered week after week it's you," Simon Cowell told Doolittle Tuesday night.

The audience booed and whistled as Ryan Seacrest announced the results during the show’s last minutes.

"One of our best singers ever, Melinda Doolittle," he said as he read the bad news. Soon after, he added: "You’ve got a lot to do in the future. A lot of good things are going to happen to you."

"Congratulations to you two,� Cowell addressed the two finalists, "My commiserations to you Melinda, 'cause you are one heck of a singer," a bummed-out Cowell, who supported Doolittle throughout the show, told her after hearing that the more than 60 million votes had tipped the scales in favor of Sparks and Lewis.

"You were the most consistent all season, so be proud," said Randy Jackson.

"You've already made it, Melinda, and now it's time to go out and do your career because you're going to be huge," said Paula Abdul, one of the three judges on the U.S.'s most popular television show, at the end.