Less than twenty-four hours after the two-hour broadcast of the unveiling of this seasons top 36, we have our first American Idol scandal.
Joanna Pacitti, whose previous record deal had Idol fan boards buzzing, has been determined ineligible to compete after she was seen making it through to the top 36.
“It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition,” was the statement released by a Fox representative. This comes after all the aforementioned chatter and the revelation that she had/has a close relationship with some top brass at 19 Entertainment (the record company that usually signs the Idol winner).
Now many of the comments to the article detailing this announcement are asking why Joanna was allowed to advance this far if the relationship was known. Here is the theory Brad and I have come up with.
Idol producers have probably been aware of Joanna’s relationship with the executives from the moment Kara said she recognized her during the audition rounds. They probably dug into her background after the backlash of last season when quite a few contestants (winner David Cook included) were revealed to have released records/had record deals.
By letting Joanna go through all the rounds, despite forgetting lyrics and generally messing up, and then making this very public announcement of letting her go, they have generated HUGE publicity. 19 Entertainment will sign her and she’ll release an album and people will buy it because of this “scandal”. While it may seem unfair at first, it’s a very savvy business move. And worry not, someone else has been given a shot with Joanna’s ouster. Felicia Barton, 26, will replace Joanna in the top 36.
I wish Joanna all the best. I know I will be on the look out for any future endeavors from her.
test
test 4
test 2
test 3
test 4 a
test 5 a