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VIDEO: Ex-Stripper Praised on American Idol
Wednesday March 5, 2008

American Idol Extra


American Idol contestant David Hernandez's stripper past wasn't addressed on last's night's show. But his stellar singing skills were.

The 24-year-old Glendale, Arizona, native — who was outed as a former go-go boy — won the praises of Simon Cowell after performing Celine Dion's "It's All Coming Back to Me Now."

Cowell said he had a "100 percent" chance of making it to the finals. (At the end of Hernandez's performance, Cowell mentioned something about stripping off-camera, but it was inaudible.)

Though he called Hernandez's singing "pitchy," Randy Jackson noted that Hernandez had a "big ol' voice," while Paula Abdul complimented him for having some of the "best vocals."

In a new interview with TV Guide, Idol executive producer Ken Warwick said Hernandez isn't going anywhere.

"We've had strippers on the show before," he said. "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."

On Thursday, 16 semifinalists will be narrowed down to the final 12 contestants.

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