Joanna Pacitti

Singer Joanna Pacitti arrives at the 33rd Annual People's Choice Awards held at the Shrine Auditorium on January 9, 2007 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images Entertainment) Just after 23-year-old American Idol contestant Joanna Pacitti was named a competition semifinalist, show producers announced that she was disqualified from the show. So what happened? Pacitti had been a slightly controversial figure from the start of the season because, unlike most Idol participants, she actually had a legit singing career before appearing on the series. The show's rules state that none of the contestants can be under contract with a management or recording ... Read Full Story

Fox announced that the controversial American Idol contestant Joanna Pacitti was disqualified from the show in the eighth season of competition. "It was decided that Joanna Pacitti was not entitled to continue in the competition," the network announced late Wednesday evening shortly after the conclusion of the release of West Coast American Idol broadcasts to pre-filmed "final conviction" episode where Pacitti has been shown to continue into the semifinal competition. Felicia Barton, a 26-year-old wife and mother in Virginia Beach, VA, replace Pacitti season Top 36 semifinals. Fox declaration does not specify why Pacitti, an unemployed 23-year-old, who is originally from Philadelphia, PA, were ... Read Full Story

Although 'American Idol' hopeful Joanna Pacitti was chosen to advance in Wednesday night's competition, FOX released a statement Thursday saying she is "ineligible to continue" and will be replaced with 26-year-old Felicia Barton, Entertainment Weekly reports. For several weeks, Pacitti's eligibility came into question, after it was revealed that she had a former record deal with A&M Records and 19 Entertainment, which is the production company behind 'Idol.' Although Barton was seen being booted on Wednesday night's competition, she's getting a second chance and replacing Pacitti. Fox's officials have not specified why Pacitti has been disqualified, but insiders say her previous music career has ... Read Full Story

It might not just be Tatiana del Toro who's giddy with exuberance and excitement after all. It turns out that Felicia Barton (photo above), 26, who's both a mom and bar singer has all the reason to rejoice to high heavens. Barton auditioned in Louisville Kentucky and she got the slot left by Joanna Pacitti. Joanna was later found to be "ineligible to continue in the competition" because of impropriety. In their American Idol website , under the names of the 2009 Top 36 was this: "[EDITOR'S NOTE: It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition. AMERICAN IDOL ... Read Full Story

Just one day after being announced as one of American Idol’s Top 36, the music industry seemingly took one more swipe at the previously signed Joanna Pacitti by having her get removed from the show, who has been burned by a not-so-successful stint in the biz. While an official statement hasn’t been released, it seems as though Pacitti’s former deal with A&M Records and 19 Entertainment (the production company behind Idol) had an effect on her eligibility. While a lot of Idol fans weren’t fans of having an artist that was previously signed to a major label compete on the show, I, for one, ... Read Full Story