Antonella Barba Gets To Stay on American Idol

Now that American Idol has decided not to disqualify Antonella Barba over the emergence of numerous provocative photos, the show's host and judges are circling the wagons in support of the sixth season semifinalist.

"These people haven't done anything illegal; that's their private life," Idol judge Simon Cowell told USA Today at a Tuesday night Playboy Mansion party to celebrate the upcoming Sunday night third season premiere of E!'s The Girls Next Door reality show. "[The photos should] not affect her standing on the show, and if the public wants to keep her in, they'll keep her in."

"Nobody's clean in the entertainment business," Idol judge Randy Jackson, who also attended the Playboy party, told USA Today. "There are definitely some moral things that go on with this show." 

Although he claimed to have not yet seen the photos, Idol host Ryan Seacrest -- whose new Paradise City reality show will premiere after The Girls Next Door on Sunday night -- also voiced strong support for Barba. "[I would] absolutely let [Barba] stay on. If American Idol is a true representation of American youth, we're going to find imperfections, Seacrest told USA Today. "And it's OK to be imperfect."

Source