David Hernandez
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On yesterday's broadcast of The View, Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul were asked directly about the gay stripper past of David Hernandez. Neither American Idol judge seemed fazed by the controvery.

"It's a singing competition," said Jackson. "If you look at the entertainment business, there's a lot of stars in a lot of different scenarios."

David Hernandez is the topic of an American Idol scandal during season seven.

The View co-host Joy Behar compared Hernandez's situation to that of second-season Idol semifinalist Frenchie Davis, whose past did make a difference when she was disqualified over nude pictures she posed for at the age of 18, in which she simulated masturbation for a kiddie-porn website.

"It was a little bit different," Abdul replied, with Jackson adding: "I think the circumstances were quite a bit different."

With Simon Cowell not participating in the interview, Abdul made some jokes at his expense.

"Simon represents the ugliness and harsh reality of how hard it is to make it in the business," said Abdul. "He would poop in his own pants if he had to face himself."

Well, okay then. We're gonna leave that image alone.

David Hernandez might get voted off American Idol this week. But that will be the fans' call, says executive producer Ken Warwick.

On Tuesday afternoon, TVGuide.com spoke with Warwick, who confirmed that the stripper past of Hernandez won't affect the contestant's standing on the show as far as Idol officials are concerned:

TVGuide.com: Will the revelations about David's stripper past have any impact on whether he stays on the show?
Ken Warwick: No, it won't make any difference. The truth is, we're never judgmental about what people do to earn a living. They've got to put food in people's mouths. We've had strippers on the show before. Nikki McKibbon was one in [Season] 1. 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.

TVGuide.com: Were you aware of his past before it was reported?
Warwick: No, I wasn't. [Laughs] But the truth of the matter is, it wouldn't have made any difference. There are a lot of people I know who'd love to have the opportunity just to make a better living by taking their clothes off.

TVGuide.com: Do you feel for these kids who are suddenly thrust into the public eye and then have everything in their pasts dug up?
Warwick: Very often, I do, yeah. I mean, David Hernandez, whatever you say, is a nice guy. And he can sing. He's got a great voice. He deserves to be there, as far as I'm concerned.

For the record, if a female American Idol contestant had a stripping past, she'd be booted from the show in no time.

Therefore, it will be interesting to see what happens with David Hernandez.

It's now been confirmed that this season seven semifinalist worked as a dancer at at Dick's Cabaret, appearing fully nude and giving lap dances to the club's "mostly male" clientele, the Associated Press reports.

"He had the look and the type that people like, so he made pretty good money here," club manager Gordy Bryan said.

Hernandez reportedly worked there for three years until last September. Do you think this should disqualify him from the show?

Leave a comment. Let us know.

Despite all the praise you may be hearing right now about David Archuleta's rendition of "Imagine" on last night's American Idol - and despite the shrieks from teenage girls we can still hear - other contestants did sing throughout the evening, as well.

Until Archuleta enthralled viewers, it had been a relatively weak night of auditions. But the following pair did earn praise from the judges:

David Cook: It's official: this wannabe rocker isn't nearly hardcore enough to be the next Chris Daughtry. But he did a solid job on the song "All Right Now." Randy Jackson said about it:

To me you're our real rocker from the boys this year. I actually really, really liked that. I thought it was a smart choice of song. it was cool for you, man. I really kind of believed you right there.

David Hernandez: No longer flying under the radar, Hernandez impressed fans with his take on the song "Papa Was a Rollin' Stone." It earned this reply from Simon Cowell:

This may surprise you, but in my opinion that was the best vocal of the night so far ... I like the fact that when you are given some criticism, rather than sulking you treat it as a challenge ... You've risen to the challenge.