Tonight's American Idol was far from inspirational. Randy Jackson called it a travesty and that it was. La Toya London is gone from the competition. And Jasmine Trias, with all of Hawaii voting for her no doubt multiple times, makes it to The Top Three.

As host, Ryan Seacrest kick started the elimination process, Diana DeGarmo was straight away given the green light to move on to next week's Top Three.

After a long drawn out process we learned that Fantasia Barrino was in the Bottom Two.

Clay Aiken, who was invited to perform with the four finalists, thought it was amazing that Fantasia was in the "Bottom Two" tonight. He said, "She always owns the stage." And he wasn't being biased given the fact that she is also from North Carolina.

"If you look at last year's Top Four all four have record deals," Aiken said.

One record deal will begin to be cut starting tomorrow. And that's La Toya London's. Shocking but true. Perhaps a blessing rather than a travesty.

After beating out George Huff by only 200 votes in the previous week, Jasmine Trias was told that she's moving on...in the contest.

The audience in the house let it be known that they did not approve. Many actually booed. Of course, Jasmine was as stunned as everyone.

Hopefully, Trias didn't interpret that people were booing at her, per se. But rather people seemed to be upset with the choice that the American public had made.

Simon said it all, as usual. "Jasmine, you have a lot of thank you letters to write to Hawaii."

After Cowell's brutally honest comments last night which brought Trias to tears, we have Simon to thank for all the sympathy votes Jasmine won last night.

In response to this week's disco-themed, Donna Summer inspired, performances, Paula Abdul said, "Honestly, I think America got it wrong."

Randy Jackson's statement hit a chord with us all. He called it a travesty for the second time this season.

The first time was when Fantasia, La Toya and Jennifer Hudson were in the Bottom Three, and Jennifer was voted off the show.

Tonight, Jackson said, "I don't know what America is listening to, but they must not be hearing what's really going on here. I think it's crazy."

La Toya said she did not picture this moment because she expected to "be here." Fantasia said she was not surprised. "Like I always say, I'm still a winner, regardless."

Previously, we chalked it up as "ageism" not "racism" that put these two fabulously talented women in the Bottom Two or Three. However, now we do wonder if Elton John is onto something.

The way things are going with the current voting, one should expect to see Jasmine Trias and Diana DeGarmo as the two finalists.

Clearly, Fox is going to have to re-think how they are going to maintain the integrity of the show.

Randy and Paula gave La Toya a standing ovation. Paula wept as did Fantasia.

So are a lot of other people who wished they had voted more times for La Toya last night.

The experience of being on the show has just been great.

I've gotten to meet so many different people. Wonderful vocalists. Such legendary performers. Just being able to work with them one-on-one...

I've gotten to experience how it feels to be famous. The cameras around you, pictures and autograph signings and just all of the things you dream about doing as an entertainer, I've gotten to experience with American Idol.

To perform for thirty million people is like a dream come true.

American Idol made it happen instantly for me.

I've gotten a chance for America to see me and that's what I've always wanted.

I will never ever forget this experience, and I am so lucky to be here, right now.

La Toya's parting words: "I will see you again," she said. "Thank you so much. Thank you for believing in me. I love you. I love you very much."

Like John Stevens, La Toya is a class act.

Upon hearing the blow that she received the fewest number of votes from America last night, she continued to smile through her entire tribute.

She then went on to deliver a boffo performance singing, very fittingly, "Don't Rain On My Parade," one last time.

Our prediction: The twenty-five year-old from Oakland, California, La Toya London is going to become the biggest star from this year's season.

The ultimate success of these artists will not be determined by phone calls and text messages. Rather success will be defined in the marketplace as people start spending their hard-earned cash to buy these artists' albums. It will be very interesting to watch who sells more CDs: La Toya London or Jasmine Trias?

Inspire & Be Inspired.

~Jennifer King

Other American Idol Stories Published in RuggedElegantLiving.com:

05/11/04, American Idol III Divas Sing Disco

05/04/04, American Idol III's Five Finalists Sing Big Band Beat with Nigel Wright & The Penguins

04/27/04, American Idol III Sings Gloria Estefan's Latin Pop Music: La Toya London Turns Up The Heat

04/20/04, "American Idol III Sings Barry Manilow Hits Customized for Each Finalist by the Legend, Himself"

04/20/04, "American Idol III Contestants Perform The Music of Barry Manilow"

04/15/04, "American Idol III's Jon Peter Lewis Gets The Death Penalty After Singing 'Jailhouse Rock'"

04/14/04, "American Idol III Finalists Sing Movie-Themed Songs with Quentin Tarantino As Guest Judge"

04/08/04, "American Idol III Three Sings Elton John Classics; Camile Velasco Sings 'Goodbye..."

03/18/04, "American Idol III Top Twelve Finalists Narrow to Eleven"

03/17/04, "American Idol Offers Two Hours of Soul Singing As The Competition Heats Up"

02/11/04, "American Idol's Barrino, DeGarmo, Hudson, Lynche, Metzger, Thomas, Walcott, Webber (and Ryan Seacrest as Will Hung)"

02/05/04, "One American Family's Favorite Contestants from "American Idol III's" Top Thirty-Two"