American Idol season 21 has had some of the best talent in the show's history, so it was inevitable that some extraordinary contestants would be eliminated early and left before their time. The American Idol season 21 judges, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie, and Luke Bryan, had their work cut out for them when they had to narrow down their Top 24 contestants. In fact, they decided to have a Top 26 because they couldn't bear to say goodbye to some of the finalists.

During American Idol season 21, Lionel, Katy, and Luke were also tasked with rewarding three of the most talented contestants with platinum tickets, while the public chose the first-ever America's Platinum Ticket. Shockingly, all four of those contestants have now been eliminated, along with some fan-favorite contestants. Whether it was the judges' choice or America's, here are 10 contestants who left American Idol season 21 too soon.

10 Cam Amen

Cam Amen received the New Orleans platinum ticket after his moving audition with "Hallelujah." He earned the privilege to skip the first round of Hollywood Week. Unfortunately, Cam had a difficult time during the duets round when he chose J Valerione for his partner. J quit the competition during their rehearsal, but later returned. Because of this, their last-minute rehearsals for "Listen to the Music" never really came together. Cam was eliminated before the Top 26 after his Showstoppers performance of "The Impossible Dream (The Quest)." It was surprising that the judges didn't allow America to vote for one of the platinum ticket recipients, and Cam should've been given that chance.

9 Kaylin Hedges

Kaylin Hedges earned the Nashville platinum ticket with her moving rendition of "I'm Already There," which she dedicated to her father, who is in the military. He surprised her and her mother by coming to her audition. Kaylin's platinum ticket allowed her to skip the first round of Hollywood Week. Although her duet with Tyson Venegas to "Don't Stop Me Now" in round two was fantastic, her Showstoppers performance of "Kiss from a Rose" failed to impress the judges. Unfortunately, she didn't make it into the Top 26. As a platinum ticket winner, Kaylin deserved at least one chance to compete for America's votes.

8 Nailyah Serenity

Nailyah Serenity was one of the best singers in the competition, but her lack of airtime in the earlier rounds of American Idol season 21 most likely led to her elimination. The show aired Nailyah's impressive audition during which she sang "My Man." However, her first two Hollywood Week rounds weren't shown. Nailyah was next seen getting the good news that she made the Top 26 after her Showstoppers performance of "Superstar."

Nailyah sang "Lovin' You" during the Top 26 Hollywood round, and "Baby Love" during the Top 20. She didn't earn enough votes from America, so she sang "Alive" to fight for a judges' save. They didn't choose her, and she was sent home. Nailyah deserved more from American Idol. Perhaps if her earlier rounds were aired, she would've built a fanbase that could've made her a frontrunner since she has such a magical voice and stage presence.

7 Matt Wilson

Matt Wilson became an early fan-favorite when he competed for America's Platinum Ticket before the season even aired. Although he didn't win it, his audition during which he sang, "For Tonight" by Giveon was very impressive. Matt repeated the performance when he fought for a judges' save after his Top 20 rendition of "Say You Won't Let Go," but it didn't earn him enough of America's votes to make the Top 12. However, the judges eliminated him at that point. Matt's performances proved that he could be a true pop star, and he deserved more time in the competition to showcase his incredible talent.

6 Elijah McCormick

Elijah McCormick stole America's heart when he won America's Platinum Ticket after singing "Bless the Broken Road" at his audition. With his inspiring story of overcoming a devastating car accident, Elijah wasn't only one of the most talented, but also one of the most memorable finalists. He seemed to be a frontrunner to make it to the end of the competition, but his run on the show came to an abrupt end after the Top 26 Hawaii round. Elijah shockingly was eliminated after his performance of "Good Vibes." He deserved more, and definitely left the competition way too soon.

5 Olivia Soli

Olivia Soli was a powerhouse singer who took on difficult songs by some of the greatest singers in history, including Celine Dion, Mariah Carey, and Whitney Houston. She impressively nailed every performance, proving that she had the potential to be the next American Idol diva. After Olivia's Top 20 performance of "I Surrender," she didn't receive enough votes to make the Top 12. She sang "God is a Woman" for the judges' save, but she was eliminated from the competition. Olivia should've gone further in the competition because she had one of the best voices.

4 Kaeyra

In a sea of American Idol female country singers, Kaeyra stood out with her rock-infused performances. From "Black Hole Sun" to "River," she was a breath of fresh air on the show. Kaeyra plays piano and guitar, and is a true artist. After her Top 26 rendition of "Bruises" didn't earn her enough votes from America, she sang "If I Were Your Woman" for the judges' save. However, Katy, Luke, and Lionel chose not to give her a spot in the Top 12. With her stunning vocal range and stage presence, Kaeyra could've been an American Idol superstar like Kelly Clarkson.

3 Tyson Venegas

Tyson blew away American Idol judges Katy, Luke, and Lionel during his audition in Las Vegas, which earned him the city's platinum ticket. His perfect performance of "New York State of Mind" proved that he had a gift. After sailing through the Hawaii and Hollywood rounds, Tyson was establishing himself as a frontrunner to win American Idol season 21. However, after his Top 10 performance of "Someone You Loved," he found himself in the bottom three. The judges chose to save Oliver Steele, who was very deserving of his place in the Top 8, but it was disappointing that Tyson couldn't have advanced as well.

2 Lucy Love

Lucy Love showed so much growth during American Idol season 21. Her breakout moment came during her Top 20 performance of her original song, "Boulders," during which she sang about feeling like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. Unfortunately, Lucy didn't make the Top 12 with America's votes, but the judges saved her after her performance of "Radioactive." After her American Idol Top 12 version of Lionel's "All Night Long (All Night)," Lucy was eliminated from the competition. However, she had just found her stride, and it would've been exciting to see what else she would do if she advanced on the show.

1 Nutsa

Nutsa took the American Idol auditions by storm with her renditions of "Lady Marmalade" and "The Greatest Love of All," receiving votes of "yes" from all three judges. They eventually put her through to the Top 26, during which she sang "Paris (Ooh La La)." However, after her Top 20 performance of "Un-Break My Heart," Nutsa didn't make it into the Top 12 with America's votes, and fought to be saved by the judges.

Nutsa's stirring rendition of "And I Am Teling You I'm Not Going" was a premonition, as the judges did save her. Unfortunately, she left the following week after her performance of "The Show Must Go On." Nutsa was one of the best singers in American Idol season 21, and should've gone much further in the competition.

American Idol airs Sundays and Mondays at 8 p.m. EDT on ABC.