Uinterview - u ask. they tell.

It's safe to say the judges were not happy with America's decision on Thursday night, as Pia Toscano was surprisingly eliminated from American Idol. Despite giving some of the most consistent performances this season, the presumed frontrunner wound up in the bottom with Stefano Langone, before Ryan Seacrest informed her she had received the fewest number of votes from fans at home. Her fellow contestants, audience members and most of all, the judges, were outraged by the news. “I have no idea what just happened,” Jennifer Lopez told Seacrest as boos could be heard emerging from the crowd. “I’m shocked, I’m angry, I don’t know what to say.” Toscano kept her composure, while Lopez's colleagues expressed their frustration at the surprise elimination. “You’re one of the best singers in this,” Randy Jackson told her. “I’m never upset on this show and I’m never really mad, but this makes me mad."

Because the ultimate decision is out of the judges' hands, Steven Tyler (pictured) encouraged Idol fans to vote early and often for their favorite contestants, in order to ensure an elimination like Pia's won't happen again. “You know America, man, you know a mistake is one thing, but lack of passion is unforgivable," he explained. "They’re wrong, I don’t know what happened with this. She’s beautiful. When she sings, she’s a bird." –EMILY EXTON

Watch Pia Toscano's elimination below: