Haley was given no backstory. She was left a blank slate and was the only contestant routinely criticized. Typically for things like song choice to suggest she had given a bad performance when she was not. Consequently, many in the audience didn't think Haley could sing. It bothered them that she was unshaken in the face of criticism. Some felt she was getting by on her looks--that men were voting for her. Ultimately, Haley finished in the bottom three a near record of times before gaining momentum and making the final three based on talent alone. She finished behind two talented teenage country singers--M&F--that were highlighted in a year the show had lowered its age requirement. Nice kids, religious. So they appealed to a big segment of the Idol audience. Many pictured them as a couple.