NEW YORK (AP) – 'American Idol' contestant Lacey Brown says her last performance fell in the middle of the pack and that's why she was sent home.

The 24-year-old from Amarillo, Texas, was voted off the Fox show last week after singing a lackluster rendition of the Rolling Stones' 'Ruby Tuesday'. She says her performance landed her in the middle of the group, which she classifies as a risky place for a contestant.

Brown says a contestant needs to stand out with an amazing performance or be the underdog to get votes from viewers.

The judges also decided not to use on Brown their save tactic, a one-time decision to keep a contestant from going home.

'American Idol' is in its ninth season. This week Miley Cyrus will be a guest mentor as the remaining 11 contestants perform Billboard number one hits.