From Season 1 it has been a popularity contest and nothing more.
EXACTLY! It is not a ‘talent’ show it is a popularity contest. The rules allow the public to vote for their ‘favorite’. So it turns out that Bristol has more fans than Brandy. Oh, well.
If listened to the announcer when they put Brandy and Bristol up together at the end that these were NO necessarily the bottom two vote-getters. It is likely that Bristol may have received more votes than Kyle or Jennifer as well. It is entirely possible that she got more votes than anyone. They pitted these two against each other for ratings and effect.
I hope Bristol wins the contest. She’s worked hard, improved and done it without whining. More than I can say for either Brandy or Jennifer.