Don't tell Frenchie, but despite confirming that David Hernandez was a stripper in a mostly male night club, only quitting as recently as September 30, 2007, sources say he will not be removed from the show. FOX declined comment, but Idol executive producer Ken Warwick did make a statement (that has since been removed from most stories I've seen this morning; his comments were there last night and now those reports say that both FOX and Idol declined comment). He said, "We're never judgmental about what people do to earn a living. They've got to put food in people's mouths." Also mentioned, and since removed, was the never revealed stripping past of first season contestant Nikki McKibbin, as well as an expanded explanation for Frenchie Davis' dismissal in 2003.
See, it wasn't only because she had appeared topless on a website, but because of other activities that website was affiliated with (I think it was exploitation of children or something, but I could be misremembering). Not that she was affiliated with those things, but the site was. So if Dick's Cabaret goes down on any charges that they've hired minors to strip or served alcohol to minors, I guess Idol would remove David?
The guidelines are so fuzzy. The bottom line is, Idol forgives David his past indiscretions and as far as the show itself, will pretend they never happened. Like you should. What will be particularly interesting to see is how much longer he lasts in the competition. Often scandals are quickly followed by Idol hopeful departures; see Robbie Carrico getting cut the same week rumors started flying about his wig -- er, I mean alleged wig.
Is it America responding that it takes more than chops to be the next American Idol. If so, despite a solid performance, maybe tomorrow night will be the end of the road for David Hernandez, which would probably be a stay of execution for the likes of Luke Menard or Danny Noriega. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he did go, largely in response to this.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-05-2008 @ 11:26AM
Duane said...
This has got to be one of the more ridiculous bits of gossip I've heard yet. Explain to me, in simple terms so I can understand, what he did wrong? He had a job as a stripper. In the past. How is that an indiscretion? He probably made good money. Is it in any way shape or form illegal? I would be much more bothered if you told me that the motorcycle nurse girl there, whatever her name was, used to work for George Bush. That'd be a much bigger indiscretion that needs forgiving, in my book.
Or is it the gay thing? If he stripped for women, that'd be ok? Are you basically positing that America is fundamentally homophobic? He danced for guys, therefore he's gay, therefore he has to go? Because he'd certainly not be the first gay finalist. I think Jim had that title way back in season 1. And dancing at a gay bar does not by itself show David to also be homosexual.
No scandal here. Move on.
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3-05-2008 @ 11:36AM
ORKMommy said...
AMEN!! If he wants to take off his clothes for money, then more power to him. I wouldn't mind seeing him without a shirt myself!
3-05-2008 @ 11:42PM
Kate said...
Thank you Duane, you said it perfectly. I'm so disgusted with this whole made up controversy about David. It's completely clear that the press is making such a big deal out of it because he stripped for males and/or is possibly gay. Other performers have had so called "checkered pasts" (although like Duane I don't see anything particularly awful about being a male stripper) and it wasn't as big of a deal. And I do buy Idol's explanation about Frenchie Davis since I had actually heard rumors to that effect before, that the website she was on was exploitative of children. Now that's disgusting.
3-05-2008 @ 3:48PM
chrisb said...
>>Are you basically positing that America is fundamentally homophobic?
Well, yeah. Duh.
3-05-2008 @ 12:03PM
Oreo said...
Well they kicked that one woman off for topless pictures and this guy is a gay stripper, so the double standard is the real story.
Like I said last night in the AI topic, he should stay far away from Danny now.
I like David H, it doesn't seem like he did hardcore porn, just some nude dancing and lap dancing, whatever, he can sing. However I'm sure he made some old guys happy and can tell their families they got a lap dance from someone on AI. :)
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3-05-2008 @ 1:50PM
Scott said...
Why is it he should stay far from Danny now? I dont get it. Not all gay men are the same, as is clearly seen with these two. Just because they are both gay doesnt mean one will be interested in the other. Hell in my opinion they should all stay far away from Danny.
3-05-2008 @ 4:19PM
Oreo said...
Thank you for explain not all gay men are the same. And 2 plus 2 still equals 4 right?
My point is Danny is a little freak that will hit on anyone figuring if he does it enough he might stick to someone. I know his type, he acts like a freak because he's lonely. I had a friend like that.
David H I like fine, and the difference between them is huge, and hopefully will show the ignorant American people that gays are mostly normal, and the ones they try to show on TV are the freaks of the batch.
3-05-2008 @ 1:31PM
Nathan said...
There's likely no double-standard here. As a previous Idol contestant (booted in Hollywood), I can attest that there is a huge application process that takes place between the golden ticket and Hollywood round. I'm sure this application has changed from year to year as they experience new indiscretions; however, if David was open and honest about his history, then Idol had the head's up and likely determined to keep him. If I recall correctly, it was not so much what Frenchie did, but that Idol was blind-sided by her lack of disclosure beforehand. I'm pretty confident that if David had not been open about his employment history, then Idol would have quickly dropped him. Honesty counts.
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3-05-2008 @ 5:23PM
BStu said...
From what I can find, Nikki's stripping was reported when the show was on the air. But Idol then wasn't what Idol is now so it was just tabloid fodder. But I found an old website that references it in a season 1 era recap of the show. So while not officially acknowledged, it at least wasn't a public outing.
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3-05-2008 @ 10:47PM
Tommy Marx said...
I'm glad they kept David. I was pissed off when they kicked Frenchie off - it made no sense - but I think they learned from that mistake. They kept Antonella after so much was made of her "racy" pictures, and they kept David even though he was once a stripper. Who honestly cares about this stuff? It's American Idol, not a Catholic seminary.
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3-06-2008 @ 1:10AM
Destin said...
I haven't seen anyone comment on this, but I can't be the only one who noticed. Right after David performed on Tuesday night, but before the camera cut to the judges, you could just barely hear Simon suggesting to one of the others, "Say 'I like the way you stripped it down.'"
It was hilarious, but alas, no one took him up on it.
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3-06-2008 @ 2:55AM
MrsEldubya said...
The part they always leave out about Frenchie.... she did legit modeling (granted some nudity) but it was legit modeling. That company or photographer sold it to the website that was in question. Frenchie didn't pose for pictures to go on an underage website or whatever.... that wasn't her intentions. It's who sold those pictures and who posted them on the web that is at fault. I do think Frenchie was treated unfairly because it wasn't her fault where the photos wound up but I can't remember if she informed AI before hand or not.... they hate it when you leave info out.
I honestly could care less about David stripping. If people remember correctly, Nikki from 1st season was a stripper too.
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