NEW YORK (AP) - The praise of Mariah Carey couldn't rescue Kristy Lee Cook from elimination on ''American Idol.'' The 24-year-old resident country singer from Selma, Ore., was the latest casualty as the Fox sing-off narrowed the competition to six finalists.

Though guest mentor Carey said Cook's rendition of ''Forever'' gave her chills, Simon Cowell was not so impressed.

Brooke White and Syesha Mercado joined Cook with the lowest number of votes on Wednesday's results show. When asked to predict the loser, Cowell said: ''Maybe Kristy - you know, your time's up this time, sweetheart.''

Cook cried but took the eviction in stride. She directed her reprisal of ''Forever'' to Cowell, who grinned awkwardly.

The telecast also featured performances by ''Idol'' also-ran Elliott Yamin and Carey, who sang ''Bye Bye'' from her new album ''EMC2.''