Good timing for American Idol last night, sending Antonella Barba packing just as the show kicks into its Bono-inspired save-the-world mode with the "Idol Gives Back" charity event for kids in Africa and (probably because the British producers assume that the majority of the Idol audience are selfish Yanks who don't care about Africa) here in the States.
But don't cry for Antonella. She might be heading home to Jersey without a recording contract, but if she plays her cards right, she's easily walking away as a Million Dollar Babe. Already on the table are a $250,000 offer to host Girls Gone Wild DVDs, a $500,000 to be spokesgal for the SugarDVD online adult video store, and Hugh Hefner's suggestion that she'd be an obvious subject for a Playboy spread. Then there are probable offers from the tabloids, Maxim, Kohler bathroom fixtures, Charmin, Catholic University, The North Carolina University Tar Heels, the VFW, MacAweenie & Cheese, and Entertainment Tonight or one of the network newsmagazines that'll pay her under the table for an exclusive interview.
Which way will she go? Because Antonella wasn't allowed to be interviewed while an Idol contestant, everyone was able to project their own versions of the 20 year-old through the sultry photos and smartass demeanor on Idol. Our bet's on Playboy, for starters.
Sundance Head, Jared Cotter and Sabrina Sloan were also sent home last night, leaving Sanjaya Malakar as the lone oddity in the Top 12, which also includes Melinda Doolittle, Stephanie Edwards, Gina Glocksen, Lakisha Jones, Blake Lewis, Brandon Rogers, Chris Sligh, Jordin Sparks, Phil Stacey, Chris Richardson, and Haley Scarnato.
"Idol Gives Back" will include the top six contestants singing inspirational songs during the regular performance show on April 24th, plus an extended results show April 25th, featuring performances by Gwen Stefani, Pink, Annie Lennox, Josh Groban, Michael Bublé, Il Divo and probably Bono. Sacha Baron Cohen is also set to appear as Kazakhstan journalist Borat Sagdiyev.
He's still dressing up as Borat?
For every vote cast during the performance show, sponsors Coca-Cola and AT&T and other partners will donate money to the charity. Viewers can make their own donations via telephone and Internet during the Wednesday show.
(And just for old times' sake, click here to see the NSFW photos that almost made Antonella bigger than Idol. And remember, "NSFW" means NOT SAFE FOR WORK.)
UPDATE: Antonella appeared on Fox's Morning Show this morning and was pretty nonchalant about the photo scandal, saying, "Personal private property got into the hands of the wrong people." She didn't reveal her future plans and the hosts didn't ask any heavy questions, but Antonella did say she's open to singing-- and acting-- jobs. She also offered a warning to girls everywhere: "Cover your tracks!"
Comments (4)
So they're gonna do "Idol Gives Back".
Or now in Antonella's case, "Idol Gives Head"...
1 of 4 | Posted by Foxbase Alpha
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Posted on March 9, 2007 8:43 AM
has it occurred to anyone that this might have worked out exactly according to plan for Antonella? could it be that these 'leaked' photos are actually part of an ingenious self-promotion strategy?
2 of 4 | Posted by jack
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Posted on March 9, 2007 9:45 AM
I like to think the friend she auditioned with that didn't make the show leaked the photos out in a Regina George-esque fit of rage and jealousy.
so glad she's gone though, I'm sure I wasn't the only one sick of seeing multiple postings about her NSFW photos every day....
3 of 4 | Posted by msu11y28
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Posted on March 12, 2007 9:42 AM
Oh yeah? Well you just wait til we find those pictures of Chris Sligh!
4 of 4 | Posted by Tabloid Baby
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Posted on March 12, 2007 11:25 AM