SIMON Cowell’s snarkiness paid hefty dividends – at least for Mandisa Hundley, booted off “American Idol” Wednesday night.

Hundley, whose generous size was criticized by Cowell earlier this season, now says she’s a lot slimmer.

“Since the first audition in Chicago, I haven’t gotten on the scale, but I do know that I’ve lost a considerable amount of weight since then – about 30 pounds,” Hundley told reporters yesterday. “I exercise, eat healthy and try not to let food dictate my life.”

Hundley, who peppered her remarks with multiple references to “The Lord” and “Jesus,” was asked if she was surprised at her ouster. A fan favorite, she was expected to remain on the show much longer.

“I was surprised in a sense, but my actions that day were to be encouraging to everybody, telling them I loved them,” she said.