The "American Idol" runner-up from season five is a free agent.

Former "American Idol" contestant KATHARINE McPHEE has parted ways with her record label, it was reported today by Billboard magazine.

She follows TAYLOR HICKS and RUBEN STUDDARD, both of whom also lost their RCA contracts. McPhee's first -- and only -- album, Katharine McPhee, sold only 366,000 copies.

In a press conference earlier today for the seventh season of  "American Idol," judge SIMON COWELL was asked about the departures of Taylor and Ruben, and commented:

"Based on their record sales, I am not surprised, to be honest with you. I have always gone on record as saying I genuinely didn't think [Taylor] was the best singer that year. He was the most popular person. I am not overly surprised that that happens.

"We always said from day one that 'American Idol' is a reality show. And being a reality show, we reflect the reality of the record business, which is it is unpredictable. Certain people you don't think are going to do as well as expected. CHRIS DAUGHTRY is a good example, because he only came in fourth. He did amazing business last year. He was the number one album for the year. And someone like Ruben doesn't do as well as you want. It is not a great thing, but at the same time, it is the record business. It is unpredictable."