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Access Atlanta > American Idol Buzz > Archives > 2008 > March > 04
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
3/4: Idol producer says David Hernandez’s stripper past not a problem, top 8 guys recap
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It looks like David Hernandez is in the clear. And he’ll be under greater-than-normal scrutiny in terms of song choice. Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out” or Adam Ant’s “Strip” are unlikely choices. Maybe he’ll opt for Jermaine Stewart’s “We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off.”
Indeed, Ken Warwick, co-executive producer of “American Idol” has told TV Guide: he doesn’t care about Hernandez’s past, documented in this AP story.. Here’s the press release:
AMERICAN IDOL EXEC PRODUCER on DAVID HERNANDEZ’S STRIPPER PAST: “We’ve had strippers on the show before; we’re never judgmental”
March 4, 2008 (New York, NY) - American Idol’s executive producer Ken Warwick tells TVGuide.com that he doesn’t care about contestant David Hernandez’s stripper past. “The truth is we’re never judgmental about what people do to earn a living. They’ve gotta put food in people’s mouths,” he says.
For three years, 24-year-old Hernandez worked as a stripper at Dick’s Cabaret in Glendale, Arizona, where he danced nude and gave lap dances to a mostly male clientele.
“We’ve had strippers on the show before [that would include season one finalist Nikki McKibbin] …We’re never judgmental about people who do things like that. If it were some sort of heavy porn, then maybe we’d have to take action. But certainly not on this,” Warwick tells TVGuide.com.
In previous seasons, Idol execs have avoided establishing hard-and-fast rules about a contestant’s past. (When it was discovered that Frenchie Davis posed topless for a website, she got the boot, but when racy pics of Antonella Barba showed up online, she was allowed to stay.)
Might this jeopardize Hernandez’s place in the top 16? “If there’s a stretch of the public that thinks, ‘Oh, dear, he was a male stripper, I’m not gonna vote for him,’ then that’s the luck of the draw,” Warwick says. “If the public doesn’t like him, then they’ll get rid of him.”
Danny Noriega also goes all negative in this xmas rant found by tmaz.com.
On with the show: Isn’t this ironic that the topic tonight is “most embarrassing moments”?
This was actually a very good night for the boys, save for that Wham! performance.
The top three in order: David Cook, David Archuleta, Jason Castro. Closely behind them is Danny Noriega (I ranked him much higher than most, now that I’m looking at it) and David Hernandez. In sixth a bit further back is Michael Johns. Then Chikezie. The bottom by a long shot: Luke Menard. (I have not looked at dialidol.com yet.)
Wow. Who goes home? I’m 100% certain Luke is a goner. But who else? Maybe Danny’s welcome has been worn out. Or Chikezie, who doesn’t excite me much but he did get that magic final slot and seldom does anybody get canned at this point when they sing last. Michael Johns is not safe either at this stage. But I must make a call. Luke is out. And I’ll call it for Michael Johns so the Vote for the Worst folks can rejoice in Danny’s spot in the top 12!
Luke Menard (“Wake Me Up Before You Go Go” Wham) Luke’s most embarrassing moment is a photo of him wearing a tutu. Ahem. When I joked last week about them picking “Safety Dance” or “Rock Me Amadeus,” I didn’t think someone would go even cheesier with this Wham! classic. He starts extremely weak, truly embarrassingly so. It’s just such a jokey song, how can anyone keep a straight face. His only saving grace is a nice ending high note. But that’s pretty much it. Randy: “Started a litte rough… but you kind of got it together at the end. Paula: “?????? I loved it.” Simon: “A bit girlie. There’s no chance you’ll even make it through the final 12. You won’t win.” That was the opener?? Doesn’t bode well for the rest of the night. C
David Archuleta (“Another Day in Paradise” Phil Collins) He went to Honduras for a fundraiser and he sang a Spanish song but his voice was gone. My mom ran up on stage and finished the song for me. He picks a song that hasn’t been heard in awhile, a socially conscious song — again! This one’s about homelessness. He’s the first one to hit a real piano, at least in the beginning. He does absolutely nothing to disprove the contention he will be the winner. It’s another brilliant performance. Nuanced, mature, controlled, everything. Randy: “I thought it was good. It didn’t show up all your vocal prowess. It was nice.” Paula: “I loved that there were a couple of notes that were off. Proves you aren’t this hologram.” Simon: “It wasn’t as good as last week. You should have stayed at the piano. It’s all getting a little bit gloomy. You’ve got to lighten up.” A
Danny Noriega (“Tainted Love” Soft Cell) His embarrassing moment. A female friend trips him in a movie theater and he falls in front of his “crush,” gender not referenced. He goes for a punkish version of a rather easy song to sing. It’s surprisingly good, far better than anything Sanjaya could ever do. Randy: “It started a little rough but I love the arrangement. I liked the way you did it at the end.” Paula: “You’re like this bright light in this competition.” Simon: “I thought it was horrible. Absolutely useless. Hated the arrangement. Hated the performance.” A-minus
David Hernandez (“It’s All Coming Back To Me” Meatloaf/Celine) Most embarrassing thing is a photo shoot where he had a booger hanging off his nose. Nothing about his dancing. Who sang this in the ’80s? Wasn’t this a ’90s song for Celine? He wasn’t bad but he definitely missed some notes, not as clean as he has been in the past. Randy: “You sometimes overshot the notes. Good song choice for you.” Paula: “I really feel like you’re getting into your groove.” Simon: “It wasn’t as good as last week. I prefer when you’re doing the soul songs. But you’ve 100% secured a spot in the finals next week with that.” B-plus
Michael Johns (“Don’t Forget About Me” Simple Minds) He was a kangaroo mascot at a rugby match and got beat up. He changed up some of the keys on this classic “Breakfast Club” theme but it’s not half bad. The more I listen to him, the more I feel he’s a very good cover band singer but not quite good enough to win this. Randy: “The Aussie boy goes home for ’80s week. It’s so you. You kind of remind me of Michael Hutchence.” Paula: “I’m so glad you are the type of artist who really is defining you who are. I like the strength in your low range.” Simon: “I liked it. I didn’t love it. I still think with you are like one of the girls. Great talent but hasn’t quite connected with the song. I prefer you on the soul singer than a wannabe rock singer.” I agree with Simon 100%. B
David Cook (“Hello” Lionel Richie) His most embarrasing moment— he forget lyrics during a talent show. Song choice hit me with a huh? Why would he pick this eye-rolling turd? He turn s it into a strong power ballad and does amazingly well with it. He has a great rock voice with warmth, depth and conviction. But where’s the Whitesnake, man? Randy: “You made a slightly emo version of an extremely pop Lionel Richie song. I thought that could be a single man!” Paula: “That was fabulous.” Simon: “That was a very brave thing to do. And I loved it!” He’s definitely in the final 12. A
Jason Castro (“Hallelujah” Jeff Buckley/Leonard Cohen) He pulled out a dread on a date. That was his embarrassing moment. Okay. Anyway, isn’t this a ’90s song, too? Maybe they gave them an extra decade! He got rid of the guitar and decided to focus on the vocal. He’s got a wonderfully pure vocal and a sweetness about him. He botches the soft point at the end and knows it. This is kind of a melancholy song and he’s a wee bit too happy go lucky. “You did a pretty good job. It’s a tall order… I give you props for it and give you props for going out with the guitar, showing a different side.” Paula: “You made it sound so effortless, with ease.” Simon: “I thought it was absolutely brilliant what you did. Loved it! You are getting better and better and better!” B plus
Chikezie (“All the Woman” Luther Vandross) He surprisingly gets the pimp spot. His embarrassing point: he had been using a girl’s bathroom in high school. Smart song choice. He’s a perfectly good singer but for some reason, I just don’t feel him like Luther. I’m not sure what he’s missing. It’s hard to pinpoint. Randy: “You did a good job. I was really impressed.” Paula: “Your vocals sound really good tonight.” Simon: “I don’t think that worked at all. You were okay in bits. It was much more cabaret than last week.” B
