Antonella Barba
Worst 'American Idol' Semifinalists' Ever -- #4: Antonella Barba
For the next two weeks, we're teaming with Vote for the Worst to name the 10 worst 'American Idol' semifinalists ever. Check back tomorrow to see our pick for number three.Name: Antonella Barba
Season: 6
Worst Performance: 'Because You Loved Me'
Why We Loved to Hate Her: What would 'American Idol' be without a good scandal?
During the season 6 semifinals, Antonella Barba found herself caught in the middle of a firestorm, when racy photos of her were leaked onto the Internet. "These were photos of my personal life that got exploited without my consent," she said following her elimination. "I've learned to be careful who you trust."
But it wasn't the photo of her in a wet T-shirt that landed Antonella on our list of the worst 'American Idol' semifinalists. (Let's be honest: A similar incident happened to Frenchie Davis in season 2, and we still loved her, anyway.) At the end of the day, it was her "singing."
Biggest 'American Idol' Scandals
Like every TV show, 'American Idol' couldn't survive without a headline scandal.In just seven seasons, 'Idol' has had its fair share of juicy gossip items: nude photos; arrests; wrong numbers -- not to mention Corey Clark's alleged affair with Paula Abdul.
We've compiled a list of the biggest 'Idol' scandals ever. After the jump, click through our gallery to relive moments every 'Idol' wants you to forget.
Five things I've learned by watching TV with my kids
Welcome to TV Squad Lists, a feature where each blogger has a chance to list his or her own rundown of things in television that stand out from the rest, both good and bad.
When I was a kid, I learned a lot by watching TV with my parents. Imagine my surprise when I realized that I was still learning.
When your favorite gets voted off, you can pick a new one.
My kids and I love to watch American Idol and America's Next Top Model together and every season they pick their favorite early on. Usually that favorite -- whether it's Jael, Chris Sligh or Antonella Barba -- ends up being sent home early on. Without missing a beat, they will turn to me and inform me of their new favorite.
It's perfectly acceptable to aspire to be a model.
I used to think being a model was a shallow aspiration but after watching America's Next Top Model with my girls I realize that there are actually some strong, smart women who vie for Tyra's top honor. It may be glorious to be a top model but getting there doesn't look glamorous at all.
What's next for Antonella and Sundance?
What's up next for our recently ousted Idol contestants? According to AOL's exit interviews, Antonella Barba WILL NOT be posing in Playboy. She did, however, tell People, she is "not opposed to acting or modeling or something." And she wants to "do pop music," but would add her own style to it.
Meanwhile, Sundance is heading back to Texas to get a band together. He told People, "I'm going to throw down everywhere I can do it and just be a road warrior."
Sundance doesn't hold a grudge against Sanjaya, whom he thinks will "go far" especially if he gets some "confidence in his vocals."
Sabrina Sloan and Jared Cotter also went home last Thursday night. They both told AOL that they were shocked to be going home so soon. To read more of the Idol exit interviews with the ousted contestants, click here.
TV Squad Daily with Brigitte - VIDEO
Today on TV Squad Daily:
- The Sopranos is having a tough time getting a permit to film in a New Jersey town, partially because the mayor's wife is not a fan.
- Real-life dog whisperer Caesar Millan will guest star as himself later this month on Ghost Whisperer.
- Ten years from now, Antonella Barba may be the first person to have a legitimate claim that "American Idol ruined my life." Let's hope not.
American Idol: Live Results Show #3
(S06E19) The show begins tonight with the group song, "Stuck in the Middle," reminding me of that infamous ear-torture scene in Reservoir Dogs. Because of that connection, the song seems inappropriate to me at first. Then again, with SANJAYA and HALEY inexplicably advancing to the finals, Idol is going to keep providing its own form of weekly "ear-torture," making the song oddly fitting. The contestants received almost 37 million votes this week, but unfortunately SABRINA did not receive enough of them. And I'm shocked that Haley advances. I really didn't think she was popular enough to survive after three truly weak performances. Not surprisingly, JARED, ANTONELLA, and SUNDANCE also receive their walking papers tonight. I'm not sad to see any of them go. But I do think that things might get a bit duller without Sundance and Antonella in the competition. They certainly kept us buzzing, didn't they?
Whether we like it or not, the Top 12 finalists are: LaKisha Jones, Blake Lewis, Chris Sligh, Jordin Sparks, Phil Stacey, Melinda Doolittle, Brandon Rogers, Gina Glocksen, Chris Richardson, Stephanie Edwards, Haley Scarnato, and Sanjaya Malakar.
Idol the bully, moves from boring singers to the media
American Idol has attained their juggernaut status by belittling and bullying dreamers all across this nation. Now Idol is throwing their weight around by attacking the media that helped to make the show such a big star in the first place. Doesn't it seem that American Idol producers cannot take what they dish out?
So its OK for American Idol to send a countless number of people home crying every season, but its not OK for Rosie O'Donnell to say a bad word about a seemingly hypocritical situation? So now their rights to cover clips of your show on The View are taken away? Barbara didn't look so happy, but she also looked like there was nothing she could do.
Wow...
Idol responds to Rosie's accusations of racism and weightism
Rosie O'Donnell weighed in on the Frenchie/Antonella controversy this week on The View. Like other critics, Rosie accused Idol of being "racist" and "weightist" in their decision to disqualify Frenchie for racy photos, while basically ignoring Antonella's sexy pics. In a written statement, Idol Excutive Producer Nigel Lythgoe called Rosie's claims of racism and weightism "absurd and ridiculous."
Lythgoe also said, "Ms. O'Donnell has, once again, spoken without thought or knowledge. Viewers need only look at the show tonight to realize that American Idol constantly confirms to America that talent has nothing to do with weight or color."
American Idol: Top 8 Women
(S06E18) Paula is momentarily missing when tonight's show begins, but is back just in time to get things started. After last night's snoozefest, I'm hoping the girls will wake up this competition. And luckily, I'm not disappointed. It's "just a different show" with the ladies, as Randy points out early. The girls pick better songs that showcase their voices. And their voices are just better than the boys anyway. The women seem to understand that NOW is the time to show us what they've got. Gina finally finds her comfort zone. Melinda gives another flawless performance. And LaKisha, Stephanie, Jordin, and Sabrina prove they are solid, Top 12-worthy contestants.
My guess is that Antonella's luck has finally run out. And Haley is just out of time. But the remaining six ladies are going to give us a heck of a battle. And one of them is going to be the next American Idol.
Civil rights activist plans anti-Idol rally
Do racy internet photos of Antonella Barba (some real, some fake) tarnish the squeaky-clean family-friendly image of both the Idol contestant and the Idol franchise? Idol's producers obviously don't think so. They've decided to stand by Antonella. But four years ago, they weren't so supportive. They dismissed finalist Frenchie Davis when she told them about racy internet photos she had taken.To many, the dismissal of Frenchie, but not Antonella, represents a double standard. And this Tuesday, March 6, civil rights activist Najee Ali is holding an anti-Idol rally to bring attention to this "racial bias" as he calls it. Ali said, "they can't have a rule for white contestants and have a different rule for black contestants."
Prediction: Sanjaya and Antonella among this week's Idol castoffs
Maybe it's because he takes his style queues from Michael Jackson, but Sanjaya Malakar -- if AOL online voters have it right -- will bid American Idol adieu tonight. He and 22-year-old AJ Tabaldo are the bottom two guys in the Top 24 Ranking Poll, where users choose their favorite contestants.American Idol: Top 10 Ladies
(S06E15) Ryan tells us that the guys had an "incredible show" Tuesday night. Hold on a minute, Ryan, back up. Sure the boys were better than the week before, but I certainly wouldn't call their show "incredible." To quote Randy Jackson, "It was just ahright."Besides, after tonight's Top 10 Ladies show, I'm more convinced than ever that this year's American Idol will be one of our fine ladies. I also think that it's going to be a tight race to the top between our lovely divas -- Lakisha, Melinda, Jordin, Stephanie, and Sabrina.
But tomorrow two unlucky ladies will be going home. Who will it be?
Pringles announces American Idol partnership
It's a slow gossip day for Idol, when the only new Idol-related stuff I can find is PR announcement about potato chip marketing. I guess, I should be thankful for the break from the Antonella gossip, if nothing else.Anyway, Pringles is the latest brand hoping to cash in on American Idol's popularity and powerhouse ratings, by launching a long-term partnership with FremantleMedia and 19 Entertainment. As part of their "expansive marketing campaign," Pringles will create limited edition American Idol branded cans, and run American Idol-themed spots on Fox during Idol broadcasts.
Best friend says Antonella didn't take sex photos
Due to Idol's tight control over their semifinalists (they're currently in Idol lockdown and are not allowed any contact with the press), Antonella Barba hasn't been able to defend herself or make a public statement regarding all those naughty online photos. Luckily for Antonella, her best friend Amanda Coluccio, who auditioned with Antonella and made it to Hollywood, is speaking out for her. Amanda claims that the girl pictured in the pornographic photos IS NOT Antonella.
Katharine McPhee gets groped on the Tyra Banks show
Thanks to Tyra Banks -- supermodel, talk show host, and self-appointed "Boob Tester" -- we now have official confirmation that Katharine McPhee's breasts are real. And thanks to The Tyra Banks Show, we also have video confirmation, as well.Honestly, I'm just wondering when women became so damn grabby? First photos surface showing Idol semifinalist Antonella Barba cupping a girlfriend's naked breast. And now we get to watch as Tyra grabs and shakes Katharine's tatas like they're couple of fresh melons at the Acme Supermarket.
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