Idol's New Full-Frontal Scandal: Should David Hernandez Be Disqualified?

Posted Tue Mar 4, 2008 10:40am PST by Lyndsey Parker in Reality Rocks

Well, after weeks of speculation and rumors, an Associated Press newswire story has reported that, according to his alleged former employer, season 7 Idol contestant David Hernandez once was a private dancer, a dancer for money, at a nude male strip club in Phoenix unsubtly called Dick's Cabaret.

"He had the look and the type that people like, so he made pretty good money here," the club 's manager, Gordy Bryan, told AP. Gordy also specifically claimed that David used to do the Full Monty and perform lap dances for Dick's Cabaret's "mostly male" customers.

While neither David nor Idol's producers have addressed this issue publicly, the speculation and rumors are now focused on whether or not this revelation will disqualify David from the competition. This remains to be seen, since Idol's past manner of handling contestant scandals has been schizophrenically flip-floppy: Producers kicked off 2003 finalist Frenchie Davis when topless photos of her surfaced online, but allowed Antonella Barba to stay after her racy photos made their way on to the Interweb. And they booted Corey Clark after they learned of his criminal record, but kept on other alleged smooth criminals like Scott Savol.

Therefore, it will be mighty interesting to see how American Idol addresses this David H. issue. Because while the show is supposed to be a family-friendly, apple-pie-eatin' affair, it's a fact in the rock/pop world that if every singer with a shady past was refused a record contract...well, let's face it, there'd probably  be nothing but staticky white noise on the radio.

And besides, being a boy-toy lapdancer still isn't as embarrassing a past as being in Boyz N Girls United. (Snicker...) I personally say keep David H. on, and let America decide whether or not they approve of his "lifestyle."

So, what do you think? Should David Hernandez be eliminated from American Idol? Post your stripped-bare thoughts below.

107 Comments

1. Daniel -
No. He didn't do anything wrong.

2. Sarah -
I think the difference in the Frenchie/Corey situations and the Scott Savol/Antonella situations is previous disclosure to TPTB about their "history". It seems to me that as long as the contestants are upfront with the producers at the beginning, they'll be a bit more lenient (see Bo Bice and Taylor Hicks possession arrests). If the contestants did not come clean, so to speak, and TPTB are "blindsided" (for lack of a better phrase) by it, then that's a different story. Because seriously, this is something that can be EASILY discovered in a background search - which the producers conduct. Work history is easily obtainable.

Now onto the greater question at hand. IMO, it would be a shame if David is DQ'ed or loses votes due to this. Because IMO, he's not in the top 24 on the basis of the publicity from the scandal alone (*cough*Antontella*cough*). He has the vocal talent that justifiably puts him there. Whether the producers try to sandbag him is another story, but if he was clear about it with them in the beginning, I don't see how they could fairly and justifiably DQ him.

I agree that if we were to not allow people who have shady backgrounds have a record deal, there would be nothing on the radio, which is why I think David should be allowed to continue to compete. If he loses votes and gets voted off, then that's another story. And I think (and hope) that's the way that the producers are looking at it too.

3. danky58 -
Leave him on, don't take him off.
Give him a chance.
Danky in Pomona CA

4. coffee_junkie_7 -
JohnJay and Rich on 104.7 KissFM in Phoenix, broke this news weeks ago. Old news!

5. coffee_junkie_7 -
JohnJay and Rich on 104.7 KissFM in Phoenix, broke this news weeks ago. Old news!

6. Yahoo! Music User -
The rumor's been going on for a while but now it's finally been confirmed by his ex-employer. So now it's not just a rumor anymore.

7. ambersmac -
I dont think so, hes the best guy on the show this season!!!

8. Yahoo! Music User -
This was on VoteFortheWorst too, but yeah it was not confirmed til today. I hope David does not get cut because of this. What he was doing is not a crime. He was a consenting adult, working legally. It's not like getting arrested for domestic violence like Corey and Scott were. He was just dancing! As Simon would say... SO WHAT?

9. Yahoo! Music User -
i doubt he will cut but there is a lot of homophobia in this country so sadly this might get him voted off by smallminded people. i hope not tho. he is talented.

10. Yahoo! Music User -
I myself just got sick. I would have to honestly say that after reading this he would not get my vote. I noticed he has been a little to cocky, and dancing all over the place on the sidelines. lol maybe he should give Ryan or simon a lapdance. lol

11. Yahoo! Music User -
give the guy a break fellas! he's trying to change his way so dont judge him with his past.
I think this IDOL season is full of contrversies anyway. let the viewer decide!

12. toomuchlovin24 -
Forget his past and focus on what he is trying to do to better his life today. I don't agree with his past at all. I'm disgusted with it actually. God has opened another door for him, and I think D. Hernandez made the right choice to step away from the old life style of his to try something new. Either way it goes I see it as a blessing that he is now able to make some money in a decent respectable way.

13. Yahoo! Music User -
Heck people it's in the past. The man had to make a living doing something!

14. Grace A -
I think everyone has something to hide in their past good or bad. People need to open their minds instead of trying to judge someone. What if people judged you by your past. I bet you would be a lonely person.

15. Grace A -
It is amazing how people like to judge. I can almost say that there is not a person out here that has not done something in their past that could come back and bite them in the butt. He has every right to make something out of his life.

16. chansen -
Leave the guy alone. He committed no crime. He's a talented singer. Why does everyone dish so much dirt about celebrities and well-knowns? Some people have way too much time on their hands.
It's in his past anyway.

17. Yahoo! Music User -
I agree with Lyndsey, the blogger: Keep him in and let America decide.

The judges keep stressing that it's a SINGING competition, so open up your ears and your mind and base your opinions on his performances only.

18. riaposey -
What difference does it make? If Vanessa Williams can overcome her faux paux why shouldn't he be able to. This is what is wrong with the world today. Any time someone tries to better him/herself here comes the stupid media with crap. Report on something worth while, like feeding the hungry children or clothing needy children in the United States. Is there anyone outh there reporting real news???

19. Yahoo! Music User -
I just saw on MSN that he will not be disqualified!!!

20. Yahoo! Music User -
Other sources report on this, like the AP. But THIS blog gives us an uncensored message board to state OUR opinion, which is great!

But ultimately our opinion will be heard thru the VOTING. The publicity might even help David H. if people feel sorry enough for him. There are so many Davids on the show, maybe this will make him stand out more! It could be a blessing not a curse.

It will come down to how David H. performs and carries himself tonight. I always thought he has carried himself with class.
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