Contestants, rear left to right, Carly Smithson, Kristy Lee Cook, Ramiele Malubay, David Cook, Jason Castro, David Hernandez, Michael Johns, Chikezie, Syesha Mercado, David Archuleta, and front left to right, Amanda Overmyer and Brooke White attend the American Idol annual Top 12 Party Thursday, March 6, 2008 in West Hollywood, Calif. (AP Photo/Phil McCarten)

'American Idol' Axes Gay Club Stripper

ERIN CARLSON | March 12, 2008 11:03 PM EST | AP

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Read More: American Idol, David Hernandez, David Hernandez Stripper, Idol David Hernandez, Breaking Entertainment News
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NEW YORK — A juicy backstory wasn't enough to keep David Hernandez on "American Idol." The 24-year-old ex-stripper from Glendale, Ariz., was dismissed Wednesday, leaving 11 aspiring singers to vie for the "Idol" title and a record contract.

"Honestly, things happen for a reason," Hernandez said before leaving the stage. "I think we all have a plan. ... This isn't it for me."

Hernandez, who sang the Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There," made headlines last week after it was revealed to The Associated Press that he worked as a stripper at a Phoenix club with a "mostly male" clientele.

Kristy Lee Cook, a 24-year-old from Selma, Ore., and Syesha Mercado, a 21-year-old from Sarasota, Fla., rounded out the bottom three vote-getters.

Finalists had the opportunity to perform classics from the John Lennon-Paul McCartney songbook this week. The show's producers recently got permission to use songs belonging to Sony/ATV Music Publishing, a company formed by Sony and Michael Jackson.

The standouts were Carly Smithson ("Come Together"), Brooke White ("Let It Be"), David Cook ("Eleanor Rigby") and Chikezie ("She's A Woman").

David Archuleta, whose cover of Lennon's "Imagine" drew heaps of praise two weeks ago, showed that he's merely mortal when he flubbed the lyrics to "We Can Work It Out." That didn't fly with Cowell, who called the 17-year-old's performance "a mess."

Wednesday's show also featured a performance by season-five finalist Katharine McPhee and musician David Foster (on the piano).

___

On the Net:

http://www.americanidol.com/


 
 

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- mbaty See Profile I'm a Fan of mbaty

I thought he was doing ok until I heard his performance this week, but maybe gay singers shouldn't pick songs about seeing "her" standing there. America can smell the insincerity.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:32 PM on 03/13/2008
- STRONG See Profile I'm a Fan of STRONG

THE BIG "IDOL" SHOW OF THE LATE 1930s-EARLY 19040s WAS TITLED--"THE MAJOR BOWES AMATEUR HOUR." SINGERS/ENTERTAINERS CAME ON JUST LIKE THE CURRENT IDOL BUT, IF, ACCORDING TO THE PANEL, THEY SMELLED UP THE STAGE, AT ANY TIME DURING THEIR PERFORMANCE, A LONG WOODEN POLE, WITH A CIRCULAR RING AT THE END, CAME OUT OF THE WINGS AND YANKED THE "OFFENDER" OFF STAGE. WE WERE THUS SPARED HAVING TO EXPLAIN WHY THEY HAD NO TALENT AND WERE ALSO SPARED LISTENING ANY FURTHER.

WHAT AMERICAN IDOL NEEDS IS AN EVEN BIGGER HOOK AND NEEDS TO USE IT EVEN EARLIER--LIKE WHEN THE CONTESTANTS FIRST WALK ON STAGE,

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:52 PM on 03/13/2008
- pakean3 See Profile I'm a Fan of pakean3

I never liked Hernandez. At this point it does not matter who goes home but who stays.. D.Cook was the best for me. I don't care for Archuleta. I don't understand what the big deal is with this kid..

Why does everything that happen always seem to have some sort of underlying meaning? It almost seems like we Americans are trying to spin everything that happens just like the 24 hour media..

He didn't get the votes, he went home.., he wasn't going to win anyway..

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:53 PM on 03/13/2008
- cBc See Profile I'm a Fan of cBc

Americaninfrance said:
"Last week the Idol contestant who was openly gay was voted off. This week it was the one for whom the supposition is that he's gay. Anyone see a pattern here?"

Yes, they both were lousy singers.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:02 PM on 03/13/2008
- crashingtiger See Profile I'm a Fan of crashingtiger

What I never understood was what was the big deal about him being a male stripper? Come on, what young, good-looking guy who's looking for a big break in show business HASN'T worked in a gay club at some point?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:26 PM on 03/13/2008
- dora_rice See Profile I'm a Fan of dora_rice

it's no big deal. That he doesn't have a voice is a big deal. He is not fit to be american idol.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 08:03 PM on 03/13/2008
- slobone See Profile I'm a Fan of slobone

Donny Osmond?

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:38 PM on 03/13/2008
- GayGrandpa See Profile I'm a Fan of GayGrandpa

I guess I am old...I watch the News Hour...I don't watch these kiddies...but I say have fun no matter what your orientation, but be safe, be smart, and keep your heart and your soul...don't get lost following idols.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:02 PM on 03/13/2008
- deedrdo See Profile I'm a Fan of deedrdo

i'm old, watch the news hour and i like watching these kiddies.

i thought david had a good voice but he only shines at certain times. this week wasn't one of those times.

kristy lee cook. jesus. my ears still hurt from her performance. she should have been out the door. but hey...17 year old perky boobs beat out a gay guy anytime. that's just the idol world.

i keep reminding myself that the average voting age is about 11 years old. it is a talent contest but at the same time it isn't.

this is my 4th year of watching. it's much better when it's on TIVO. no more ryan seacrest or that idoitic filler to listen to.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:23 PM on 03/13/2008
- AmericaninFrance See Profile I'm a Fan of AmericaninFrance

Last week the Idol contestant who was openly gay was voted off. This week it was the one for whom the supposition is that he's gay. Anyone see a pattern here? Niether of these two contestants voted off should have been at this stage in the competition. Clearly there's still so much homophobia in the U.S. that gets manifest in so many ways. A shame.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 01:21 PM on 03/13/2008
- Gracehoper See Profile I'm a Fan of Gracehoper

Actually, they were both just really bad. I'm a gay man myself and I thought they were both awful and should be voted off. It's not all about orientation/gender/race, you know.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:49 PM on 03/13/2008
- slobone See Profile I'm a Fan of slobone

I agree that neither of these guys was a blazing star -- but there's a conspiracy theory that says that when American Idol wants to get rid of a contestant, they undermine him in any way they can. Steer him to a poor song choice, and then give him a crap arrangement and bad coaching advice. These kids don't do it all themselves you know. Of course that's just a theory...

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:43 PM on 03/13/2008
- WRPrintz See Profile I'm a Fan of WRPrintz

I actually had not thought about it that way.....very interesting point. I had thought both of the contestants you mentioned were much better (tallent, well rounded, able, etc) than some of those left on the show.

Kind of comes back to the reason why Troy Donahue and Rock Hudson, etc all stayed in the closet. If your public cannot imagine sleeping with you, they tend to not vote....which is a real shame.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 04:27 PM on 03/13/2008
- slobone See Profile I'm a Fan of slobone

Or more to the point, Clay Aiken...

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:43 PM on 03/13/2008
- rmcc See Profile I'm a Fan of rmcc

"Clearly there's still so much homophobia in the U.S. that gets manifest in so many ways. A shame."

So, just so I'm crystal...Guy goes on a silly talent contest, sings a song, America chooses not to pick up their cell phones and text a series of numbers that would indicate their affirmation of the guy's singing and....that to you is a clear manifestation of homophobia.

I had no idea about this guy's backstory when I heard the song a couple of days ago. What I did know was that the guy singing was butchering a Beatles song by awkwardly preening about the stage, trying to act sexy and basically, making bad decisions. I thought the performance lacked heart and it was campy.

So, since you're the one dragging homophobia into this, does it make me homophobic if I don't like cheesy, sexed-up, campy singing performances? Does it make the country homophobic if they share this opinion? Finally, assuming homosexuals liked the song, does it make homosexuals heterophobic if say, the next guy comes out there and does a rock version of "Eleanor Rigby" and they decide not to text their support for it?

I think you raise some truly ridiculous questions. Proceed to the real world to be de-programmed of your lamentable arrogance and PC-BS immediately.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 03:56 PM on 03/13/2008
- kellygrrrl See Profile I'm a Fan of kellygrrrl

the producers of Idol seem to be handily ridding themselves of any "problem" contestants.

look for Amanda and possibly Brooke :( to be out soon, as well.

I guess if i was going to invest millions in some kid I'd want to have a little hand in who that was, as well.

I think it's all a done deal down to the Top 5 - Karly, David Archuletta are pegged to go all the way.

Personally, I like David Cook (The Word Nerd) and Jason Castro (Dreamy McDreadlocks)

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 10:16 AM on 03/13/2008
- slobone See Profile I'm a Fan of slobone

Why are Amanda and Brooke a problem exactly? Seems like the judges at least love them. (And don't think for a minute the judges don't get to see the phone call tally every week.) At this stage of the contest they're still getting rid of the contestants who are forgettable or just plain bad. I personally think Amanda and Brooke will eventually self-destruct because they both have a very limited repertoire. But don't blame that on the show!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 06:45 PM on 03/13/2008
- CammyV See Profile I'm a Fan of CammyV

Yeah, well I called that one. Just not that talented. The blonde country girl is next. Buh Bye.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 09:35 AM on 03/13/2008
- speakyourmind See Profile I'm a Fan of speakyourmind

I'm surprised blond country girl is even in there still. She's awful!

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 02:45 PM on 03/13/2008
- truthyguy See Profile I'm a Fan of truthyguy

Other than having a lousy voice, he was really great.

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 07:40 AM on 03/13/2008
- slobone See Profile I'm a Fan of slobone

Meh, he has the charisma of a pork chop. I wouldn't pay to see him strip, either...

    Favorite    Flag as abusive Posted 05:49 PM on 03/13/2008
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