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BREAKING NEWS: The leaked list was dead on correct. So if you watched "Idol" last night and went to bed thinking that one of our favorites -- Joanna Pacitti -- was a semifinalist, well, so did we. But perusing the official Fox release this morning, Pacitti's name is missing and instead the name Felicia Barton, who we watched getting cut last night, appears.At the very bottom of the press release is this:
[EDITOR’S NOTE: It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition. AMERICAN IDOL contestant Felicia Barton has replaced Ms. Pacitti as part of the Top 36.]
Say wha?
The season hasn't really started yet, but the controversy and scandal apparently has!
EW.com reports:
"Joanna Pacitti, the American Idol season 8 hopeful who was shown advancing to the top 36 on Wednesday night's telecast, has been booted from the competition and replaced by 26-year-old Felicia Barton. "It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition," stated a Fox press release sent early Thursday morning announcing the show's full roster of semifinalists.
For the last several weeks, Pacitti has been the subject of Internet chatter regarding her former deal with A&M Records, which yielded the single "Let It Slide," and more recently, for her rumored close relationship with a pair of 19 Entertainment executives. Specifically, Star magazine reported that Pacitti lived for a time in the same apartment building as 19's Michelle Young and Roger Widynowski, even referring to the former exec as her "best friend"; 19, of course, is the production company behind Idol.
Barton, meanwhile, was shown getting eliminated by the judges during Wednesday night's final Hollywood Week telecast, although a brief clip of her singing "Put Your Records On" during the Louisville, KY, audition round had created a decent amount of buzz among Idol watchers."
A Los Angeles Times story reports: "A source close to the show now tells us that Pacitti was disqualified to 'avoid the appearance of impropriety.'
In the past week, tabloids had been reporting on a private relationship between Pacitti and executives of 19 Management - one of the companies which oversees 'Idol.'"
This season, the "green mile" walk is made at the "judges' mansion" (wherever that was, but it sure looked nice). In addition to some contestants receiving a "yes" and others a "no," the judges are allegedly still undecided about a number of the remaining 52, who are forced into an immediate "sing-off" with another similarly "undecided" contestant (it's always girl vs. girl or boy vs. boy, as they producers apparently want to begin the voting with 18 of each sex). The judges then deliberate for a few minutes after which both contestants stand before Simon Cowell, Kara DioGuardi, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul to learn their fates, with one going through to the Top 36 and the other being eliminated. The only exception to this was Matt Breitzke and Michael Sarver, who were both put through after they faced each other in a sing-off, lending more credence to our belief that all of the sing-offs are scripted stunts created by the producers for drama. After all, if Michael and Matt both made it, who was eliminated? Someone the judges originally put in the "yes" pile. Uh-uh, no way.
Yet a question remains: When Joanna Pacitti was disqualified, shouldn't she have been replaced by someone who lost a sing-off (and was therefore an "undecided") rather than someone who received a definitive "no," as did Felicia Barton? Why replace a "yes" with a "no" rather than an "undecided"? Think about it.
Here is the updated list of this season's 36 semifinals:
Adam Lambert is a 26-year-old stage actor from Hollywood, Calif. He auditioned in San Francisco, singing "Bohemian Rhapsody," by Queen. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood. At the time of his audition, Lambert was in the cast of "Wicked."Watch video of Adam Lambert Audition
Watch video Adam Lambert Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Adam Lambert making the Top 36
Alex Wagner-Trugman is a 19-year-old college student from Studio City, Calif. He auditioned in Phoenix, singing "Baby Come to Me," by James Ingram. All the judges except for Simon Cowell voted to send him to Hollywood. Wagner-Trugman used to sing in his closet to avoid bothering the rest of his family until he got sick from all the mold in there.Watch video of Alex Wagner-Trugman Audition
Watch video of Alex Wagner-Trugman Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Alex Wagner-Trugman making the Top 36
Alexis Grace is a 21-year-old musician from Memphis, Tenn. She auditioned in Louisville, singing "Dr. Feelgood," by Aretha Franklin. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood. This is Grace's third year in a row auditioning. She was rejected the first two times. Grace had a baby girl when she was 19 and is engaged to the father, who is in military school.Watch video of Alexis Grace Audition
Watch video of Alexis Grace Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Alexis Grace making the Top 36
Allison Iraheta is a 16-year-old high-school student from Sherman Oaks, Calif., originally from Los Angeles. She auditioned in San Fancisco, singing "Natural Woman," by Aretha Franklin. It is unknown from the aired clip which judges put her through to Hollywood.Watch video of Allison Iraheta Audition
Watch video of Allison Iraheta Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Allison Iraheta making the Top 36
Anne Marie Boskovich is a 22-year-old waitress and nanny originally from Ventura, Calif., now living in Nashville, Tenn. She auditioned in Jacksonville, singing "Bubbly," by Colbie Caillat. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood.Watch video of Anne Marie Boskovich Audition
Watch video of Anne Marie Boskovich Hollywood Week Intro
Anoop "Dog" Desai is a 21-year-old college student from Chapel Hill, N.C. He auditioned in Kansas City, singing "Thank You," by Boyz II Men. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood.Watch video of Anoop Desai Audition
Watch video of Anoop Desai Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Anoop Desai making the Top 36
Arianna Ayesha Afsar is a 17-year-old high-school student from San Diego, Calif. She auditioned in Phoenix, singing "Put Your Records On," by Corrine Bailey Rae. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood. Afsar has won her share of teenage beauty pagents.Watch video of Arianna Afsar Audition
Watch video of Arianna Afsar Hollywood Week Intro
Brent Keith Smith is a 29-year-old traveling musician and guitar player from Blanchester, Ohio now living in Nashville, Tenn. He auditioned in Louisville, singing "Can't Get Enough of Your Love," by Bad Company. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood. Smith appeared as a contestant on Nashville Star and also released a video and single from the CMT film "Dale." Smith is married.Watch video of Brent Keith Audition
Watch video of Brent Keith Hollywood Week Intro
Casey Carlson is a 20-year-old "bubble tea maker" from Minneapolis, Minn. She auditioned in Kansas City, singing "A Thousand Miles," by Vanessa Carlton. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood.Watch video of Casey Carlson Audition
Watch video of Casey Carlson Hollywood Week Intro
Daniel J. "Danny" Gokey is a 28-year-old music teacher from Milwaukee, Wisc. He auditioned in Kansas City, singing "I Heard It through the Grapevine," by Marvin Gaye. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood. Gokey's wife died from congenital heart disease four weeks before his audition.Watch video of Danny Gokey Audition
Watch video of Danny Gokey Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Danny Gokey making the Top 36
Felicia Barton is a 26-year-old from Virginia Beach, Va. She auditioned in Louisville, singing "Girl Put Your Records On," by Corinne Bailey Rae. She began singing before she could talk, and her first public performance was at age 2. She is married and has a son.Watch video of Felicia Barton Audition
Jaclyn "Jackie" Tohn is a 28-year-old singer-actress from New York. She auditioned in New York (East Rutherford, N.J.), singing "I'm Yours," by Jason Mraz and "I'll Do It All." All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood. Tohn has released two albums independently, "Beguiling" and "The Golden Girl" EP. Music Connection Magazine recently listed Tohn in their Top 100 unsigned artists. She has appeared in films and on TV series such as "The Sopranos," "Veronica Mars," "The Closer" and "The Nanny." Tohn is a member of AFTRA, AEA and SAG. Here is her professional resume.Watch video of Jackie Tohn Audition
Watch video of Jackie Tohn Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Jackie Tohn making the Top 36
Jasmine Murray is a 16-year-old high-school student from Starkville, Miss. She auditioned in Jacksonville, singing "Big Girls Don't Cry," by Fergie. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood.Watch video of Jasmine Murray Audition
Watch video of Jasmine Murray Hollywood Week Intro
Jeanine Vailes is a 28-year-old who auditioned in San Francisco.Watch video of Jeanine Vailes Hollywood Week Intro
Jessica "Jesse" Langseth is a 25-year-old from Minneapolis, Minn. She auditioned in Kansas City. Langseth's brother is Grammy Award-winner Johnny Lang.Watch video of Jesse Langseth Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Jesse Langseth making the Top 36
Joanna Pacitti SELECTED THEN DISQUALIFIEDWatch video of Joanna Pacitti Audition
Watch video of Joanna Pacitti Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Joanna Pacitti making the Top 36
Jorge Nuñez-Mendez is a 21-year-old college student from Carolina, Puerto Rico. He auditioned in San Juan, singing "My Way" in Spanish and "What a Wonderful World" in English. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood.Watch video of Jorge Nuñez Audition
Watch video of Jorge Nuñez Hollywood Week
Ju'Not Joyner is a 26-year-old from Bowie, Md. He also auditioned during Season 7 and made it to Hollywood before being eliminated.Watch video of Ju'Not Joyner Hollywood Week Intro
Kai Kalama is a 26-year-old musician from San Clemente, Calif. He auditioned in San Francisco, singing "Smoke Gets in Your Eyes," by The Platters. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood. During the day, Kalama cares for his mother, who has a seizure disorder.Watch video of Kai Kalama Audition
Watch video of Kai Kalama Hollywood Week Intro
Kendall Beard Kendall Beard is a 24-year-old singer from Austin, Texas. She auditioned in San Juan, singing "The Ashes," by Martina McBride. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood. Beard has released a self-titled debut album. She graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.A. in Communication Studies.Watch video of Kendall Beard Audition
Watch video of Kendall Beard Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Kendall Beard making the Top 36
Kris Allen is a 23-year-old college student majoring in business from Conway, Ark. He auditioned in Louisville, singing "A Song for You," by Leon Russell. His brother also auditioned in Louisville, but didn't make it. It is unknown from the aired clip which judges put him through to Hollywood.Watch video of Kris Allen Audition
Watch video of Kris Allen Hollywood Week Intro
Kristen McNamara is a 23-year-old from Napa Valley, Calif. She auditioned in Louisville.Watch video of Kristen McNamara Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Kristen McNamara making the Top 36
Lil Rounds is a 24-year-old customer-service representative from Memphis, Tenn. She auditioned in Kansas City, singing "All I Do," by Stevie Wonder. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood. Rounds is married with three children. The family's home was destroyed by a tornado and they are living in temporary housing.Watch video of Lil Rounds Audition
Watch video of Lil Rounds Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Lil Rounds making the Top 36
Matt Breitzke is a 27-year-old welder from Bixby, Okla. He auditioned in Kansas City, singing "Ain't No Sunshine," by Bill Withers. All the judges except for Randy Jackson voted yes to send him to Hollywood. Breitzke is married and has a son.Watch video of Matt Breitzke Audition
Watch video of Matt Breitzke Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Matt Breitzke making the Top 36
Matt Giraud is a 23-year-old dueling piano player from Kalamazoo, Mich. He auditioned in Louisville, singing "I Don't Want to Be," by Gavin DeGraw. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood.Watch video of Matt Giraud Audition
Watch video of Matt Giraud Hollywood Week Intro
Megan Corkrey is a 23-year-old font designer from Salt Lake City, Utah. She auditioned in Salt Lake City on her birthday, singing "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man," from the musical "Showboat." All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood.Watch video of Megan Corkrey Audition
Watch video of Megan Corkrey Hollywood Week Intro
Michael Sarver is a 27-year-old roughneck on an oil rig from Jasper, Texas. He auditioned in Phoenix, singing "Thank You," by Boyz II Men. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood. He is married with two children.Watch video of Michael Sarver Audition
Watch video of Michael Sarver Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Michael Sarver making the Top 36
Mishavonna Henson is an 18-year-old from Irvine, Calif. She auditioned in Phoenix. In Season 7, Henson also made it to Hollywood and was cut on the second day.Watch video of Mishavonna Henson Hollywood Week Intro
Nathaniel "Nate" Marshall is a 19-year-old singer from Malone, N.Y. He auditioned in New York (East Rutherford, N.J.). Marshall auditioned three times before finally making it. He has released several albums.Watch video of Nate Marshall Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Nate Marshall making the Top 36
Nick "Normund Gentle" Mitchell is a 27-year-old sketch comedy artist from Stratton, Vt., now living in Brookfield, Conn. He auditioned in New York (East Rutherford, N.J.) singing "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" from "Dream Girls" and "Amazing Grace." All the judges except for Simon Cowell voted to send him to Hollywood.Watch video of Nick Mitchell Audition
Watch video of Nick Mitchell Week Intro
Watch video of Nick Mitchell making the Top 36
Ricky Braddy Jr. is a 25-year-old restaurant manager and student originally from Elizabeth City, N.C. now living in Nashville, Tenn. He auditioned in Louisville.Watch video of Ricky Braddy Hollywood Week Intro
Scott Douglas MacIntyre is a 23-year-old singer from Scottsdale, Ariz. He auditioned in Phoenix, singing "And So It Goes," by Billy Joel. All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood. MacIntyre started college at 14 years old and graduated at 19. He is almost blind and plays several instruments including the piano. Classically trained, MacIntyre has been internationally profiled on CNN, Headline News, Sky News Europe, Global Television Network, USA Today, national and local news, radio and print media as a pianist, vocalist and songwriter. He has independently produced, engineered, and released six full-length CDs and has written in genres spanning pop, rock, punk, jazz and classical.Watch video of Scott MacIntyre Audition
Watch video of Scott MacIntyre Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Scott MacIntyre making the Top 36
Stephen Fowler is a 26-year-old from Cleveland, Ohio. He auditioned in New York (East Rutherford, N.J.). Fowler is married.Watch video of Stephen Fowler Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Stephen Fowler making the Top 36
Stevie Wright is a 16-year-old high-school student from Phelan, Calif. She auditioned in Phoenix, singing "At Last," by Etta James. All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood.Watch video of Stevie Wright Audition
Tatiana Nicole del Torro is a 24-year-old singer-actor-model from San Juan, Puerto Rico. She auditioned in San Francisco, singing "Never Loved a Man," by Aretha Franklin. All the judges except for Simon Cowell voted yes to send her to Hollywood.Watch video of Tatiana Nicole del Torro Audition
Watch video of Tatiana Nicole del Torro Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Tatiana Nicole del Torro making the Top 36
Taylor Vaifanua is a 16-year-old high-school student from Hurricane, Utah. She auditioned in Salt Lake City, signing "Joyful, Joyful." All four judges voted yes to send her to Hollywood.Watch video of Taylor Vaifanua Audition
Watch video of Taylor Vaifanua Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Taylor Vaifanua making the Top 36
Von Smith is a 22-year-old student from Greenwood, Mo. He auditioned in Kansas City, singing "Over the Rainbow." All four judges voted yes to send him to Hollywood.Watch video of Von Smith Audition
Watch video of Von Smith Hollywood Week Intro
Watch video of Von Smith making the Top 36
Watch video of Top 36 recap
And the ones who didn't make it:
Watch video of Cody Sheldon being eliminated in a sing-off with Alex Wagner-Trugman
Watch video of T.K. Hash, Chris Chatman and Reggi Beasley being eliminated
Watch video of Jenn Korbee being eliminated in a sing-off with Kristen McNamara
Watch video of Frankie Jordan being eliminated in a sing-off with Jesse Langseth
Watch video of Jamar Rogers being eliminated
Watch video of Jackie Midkiff being eliminated in a sing-off with Nate Marshall
Also eliminated were:
At the end of the show, Ryan Seacrest informed us that the 36 semifinalists will be presented in groups of 12 for the next three weeks.
The first group of 12 are: Casey Carlson, Stephen Fowler, Jackie Tohn, Ricky Braddy, Anne Marie Boskovich, Brent Keith, Alexis Grace, Michael Sarver, Stevie Wright, Danny Gokey, Tatiana Del Toro and Anoop Desai
Watch video of semifinalist Group 1 dance
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5 comments:
I can't believe that Jamar was eliminated and that the gadfly what's her name was not. I wish that American Idol would live up to making it a real talent contest instead showcasing the flaky ones just for ratings.
We can't tell you how much we agree with you. This is a singing competition, not a who's the weirdest person competition.
I've heard on TV and radio that Simon and Paula are secretly dating, is there any truth to that? A couple of days after that, I read he's texting Terri Seymour and is "lost without her"; what gives?
Also noticed Paula hasn't renewed her Idol contract yet and is not bombarding Simon in the media of late.
Idol is changing so dramatically since Nigel Lythgoe.
We can't find anything that verifies Simon dating Paula or texting Terri, but, of course, anything is possible.
Yes, despite Nigel Lythgoe being a master manipulator, we fear the show has changed for the worse with him gone. However, on Wed. 2/11, Lythgoe appeared on Ryan Seacrest's KIIS-FM radio show and told him he like the changes:
"I must say, I'm really looking forward to tonight's episode of 'American Idol,'" said Lythgoe. "I love the little tweaks that I think you've done. I love the fact the people have got to sing for their lives tonight. It's turning out to be a great series."
Not so much, Nigel.
I agree, it's definitely circling the drain and it's annoying to see it happen.
I don't know why Simon felt the format needed to be changed as much as it has but it's lost it's charm in so many ways.
They shot themselves in the foot but fixing what's not broken.
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