COWELL ON ‘IDOL’ SHOCKER: ‘NO ONE’S SAFE’

"American Idol" judge Simon Cowell called it a wakeup call.

The surprise ouster of Michael Johns from "American Idol" on Thursday sent a message to the surviving seven: "No one's safe," said Cowell. "They all were taking it for granted."

Cowell said the Australian-born rocker "chose the wrong song and now he's out."

Cowell made the comments early Friday during a red carpet appearance at Tryst nightclub at Wynn Las Vegas with fellow judge Randy Jackson and host Ryan Seacrest.

Tryst was marking its second anniversary.

"It's time for everyone to show up and tell us who they really, really are," said Jackson. "I think they were losing sight, you know.

Earlier in the week, during an appearance with CNN's Larry King, Cowell had predicted the competition would come down to "the two Davids," Johns and David Cook.

"It's still the boys," said Jackson.

— NORM CLARKE, Vegas Confidential