Frenchie Davis: "Idol" Double Standard?

Eliminated Contestant From 2003 Says Antonella Barba's Scandal Was Handled Differently By Fox

(CBS)  When salacious photos of "American Idol" contestant Antonella Barba surfaced last week, Ryan Seacrest and Simon Cowell defended the brunette beauty.

Back in 2003, buxom singer Frenchie Davis was kicked off the hit reality show when scandalous photos of her turned up.

A double standard? Davis thinks so.

"I couldn't help but notice the difference between the manner in which she was dealt with and how I was dealt with," Davis told The New York Post on Monday. "I think it's fantastic if 'Idol' has evolved, and I think it's fantastic she won't have to go through what I went through four years ago … but if the rules have changed, I believe there should be something to make up for the fact that I was humiliated needlessly."

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Photos: "American Idol" Season Six

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Davis, who was just 23 years old when she was kicked off "Idol," says she was up-front about the photos.

"I had taken them five years before I was on 'Idol,'" Davis says. "It happened and I was honest about it . . . and weeks later they decided to kick me off the show … they said it was because of the photographs, but my photos certainly weren't sexual."

"It's not necessarily something I'm proud of, but not something I regret, either," David said, adding that the scandal a very painful experience for her and her parents.

"Fox and the producers of American Idol have no desire to revisit history and sully the reputation of Ms. Davis," Fox said in a statement to The Showbuzz. "She was removed from the show over 4 years ago and has gone on to a successful performing career. We have never discussed the specifics of why Ms. Davis was eliminated, nor will we now."

Davis was able to move beyond the scandal, however, and today she is a successful Broadway star, ending a four-year run in "Rent" on May 24.

The New York Post reports that Frenchie's fans are scheduled to protest in support of Davis on Tuesday at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood, where the Fox reality show is filmed.

The fallen "Idol" star told the newspaper she would be willing to have an open discussion with producers about why things went down the way they did.

"I'm willing to come to the table. It's open for discussion," she says. "I wish no one ill. I've never bad-mouthed 'Idol' and I never will."

Meanwhile, weak-voiced Barba survived last week's round of eliminations. She'll perform again on Wednesday.

[ssporleder]

If Frenchie is correct, then it was *** what Idol did to her and she should be allowed to return to Idol for the next season - as one of the final 12.

One side bar: A lot of people think SImon booted Jennifer Hudson when it was the fans that did so.

If you do have a favorite - then vote.

[mzfreckles]

I think should either issue Frenchie an apology and kick off Antonella Barba or they should say "hey we made a mistake" and allow Frenchie into the competition right now and truly let America decide. This season of Idol is truly the "let all the former rejects back in season" almost all the contestants competing now have auditioned more than once. Why not let Frenchie in.

[billpl-2009]

Davis did it for money...Barba didn't

end of story

There should no be a double standard. Antonella isn't even that talented. Frenchie was. I know everyone doesn't decide when they are born what they are going to do. So you can't penalize one and not the other. Everyone does things that they might not want public.

[topaznpearls]

why publish frenchie's photo to THIS article behind barba's? frenchie is the star. frenchie's not receiving fair treatment. frenchie, the statistics bear it out: its racism. your future was deliberately cut, you were denied/lost a singing career because of their harsh treatment. your being in rent for 4 years is because youre talented,it doesnt ammend for their treatment. everyone knows when they take racy photos, they can become public whether one wants them to or not, just ask paris hilton, pamela anderson, or skater tonya harding.you are owed an apology and return to the top 12 on american idol.

[topaznpearls]

why publish frenchie's photo to THIS article behind barba's? frenchie is the star. frenchie's not receiving fair treatment. frenchie, the statistics bear it out: its racism. your future was deliberately cut, you were denied/lost a singing career because of their harsh treatment. your being in rent for 4 years is because youre talented,it doesnt ammend for their treatment. everyone knows when they take racy photos, they can become public whether one wants them to or not, just ask paris hilton, pamela anderson, or skater tonya harding.you are owed an apology and return to the top 12 on american idol.

[topaznpearls]

why publish frenchie's photo to THIS article behind barba's? frenchie is the star. frenchie's not receiving fair treatment. frenchie, the statistics bear it out: its racism. your future was deliberately cut, you were denied/lost a singing career because of their harsh treatment. your being in rent for 4 years is because youre talented,it doesnt ammend for their treatment. everyone knows when they take racy photos, they can become public whether one wants them to or not, just ask paris hilton, pamela anderson, or skater tonya harding.you are owed an apology, return to the top 12 on american idol and damages.