Carly Smithson’s surprising elimination could have blasphemy as explanation.

Carly may have made a wrong choice when she decided to perform the title song from “Jesus Christ Superstar,” the 1970 rock opera written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice.

The play has been causing much controversy since its debut, and the release of the film version in 1973, has generated lots of buzz among Christians, who said the portrayal of Jesus was an offensive one.

Both the Broadway show and subsequent productions based on it were harshly condemned by several religious groups, who protested in front of the theatre during the first Broadway show. The play was even banned in South Africa for being “irreligious.”

The opera mostly focuses on Christ’s relationship with Judas, and is sprinkled with contemporary slang and ironic innuendos to modern life, featuring many intentional anachronisms.

Judas is a very controversial character in Webber’s opera not only because he betrays Jesus, but because he leaves the impression that he was not actually guilty of betrayal and only played the role he was supposed to, in a divine plan he could not control. He has an offensive and criticizing attitude toward Jesus during the entire play.

“The idea of the whole opera is to have Christ seen through the eyes of Judas, and Christ as a man, not as a God,” Tim Rice was quoted as saying.

But Christians do not want to see Jesus as a man, nor do they want to see Judas as anything other than a traitor, and they certainly hate the subtle allusion of a love relationship between Jesus Christ and Mary Magdalene. Moreover, how could the betraying Judas dare to accuse Jesus of anything? Not to mention the fact the play ends with Jesus’ crucifixion, not saying anything about the resurrection…

So, with all these controversial issues behind the (brilliant, if I may say) opera, Carly Smithson might be the first “American Idol” contestant to be voted off for blasphemy.

But Smithson herself has another explanation for her departure. In a conference call yesterday, she told reporters she thought that one of the reasons she was voted off the show was the fact she was a woman.

"Women vote for this show," Smithson said, as quoted by the New York Daily News. "It's obvious they vote for the boys. The boys are adorable [and] are charming the females a lot. I definitely feel that the girls had more of a struggle this year with trying to get the popularity vote."

However, Smithson said she was not bitter for leaving the show. She said she was proud and not at all upset.

"It definitely feels a lot greater going out sixth this year than it would have any other year," she said. "I'm cool. I'm so happy. I feel like I've just been given the greatest gift ever."

On the occasion of Carly’s departure Wednesday night, after the voting results were revealed, Simon apologized for a compliment he had given Carly the night before.

"I apologize for giving you a compliment last night, the kiss of death," he said. "You can leave with your head held high."

And so she did.

She is probably aware that she will be more successful outside the show that she was as a contestant. Even though her previous experience in the music industry was a failure, she is hopeful her performances during the show will push her career forward.