If Carrie doesn't win this she's still going to have a huge career. It might work to her benefit to get the boot...she wouldn't be under contract to AI.
I can't imagine that someone wouldn't swoop in and sign her to a contract right away.
It is comforting to me to know that if she loses, I doubt that it will be the last we see of her.
Once you get to the final 12, Simon owns you, whether you go all the way or not. That is why Mario left.