Updated: Joanna Pacitti disqualified from 'American Idol,' Felicia Barton in

A bit of a mystery has emerged on the first night of "American Idol's" season proper.

Just as the Green Mile episode was put to bed today, a contestant has gone missing: Joanna Pacitti, who has been considered one of the favorites because of her previous singing experience.

The official Fox news release announcing the top 36 contestants lists female singers Alexis Grace, Allison Iraheta, Anne Marie Boskovich, Arianna Asfar, Casey Carlson, Felicia Barton, Jackie Tohn, Jasmine Murray, Jeanine Vailes, Jesse Langseth, Kendall Beard, Lil Rounds, Megan Corkrey, Mishavonna Henson, Stevie Wright, Tatiana Del Toro, Kristen McNamara and Taylor Vaifanua.

And below the long list of names was this:

"[EDITOR'S NOTE: It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition. AMERICAN IDOL contestant Felicia Barton has replaced Ms. Pacitti as part of the Top 36.]"

That's right, no Joanna Pacitti, whom we saw make it through the Green Mile tonight.  And the list includes Felicia Barton, who was seen being sent packing on the Green Mile episode.

A source close to the show now tells us that Pacitti was disqualified to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

In the last week, tabloids had been reporting on a private relationship between Pacitti and executives of 19 Management, one of the companies overseeing "Idol."

-- Richard Rushfield

Photo: Fox

Comments

[kelly]

Too bad, she was my favorite. If they let her through then by no means should they take it back. DO THE RESEARCH BEFORE YOU ACCEPT SOMEONE IN THE COMPETITION.

Goodness, what a mess they made here.

[JEPS]

WOW! It is such a shame that this girl has to go through this. I cant believe American Idol Could not handle the press. Joanna has REAL talent unlike whatever name that Mr. Gentle is going by, or that Tatiana. All because her previous manager works for 19??? Something is up. And from what I understand in the contract which I have read, it asks are you related to anyone from 19 or fox or american Idol? Do you have any contracts now at the time of auditoning? In this case Joanna answered NO at the beginning, I am sure, or she would not have been able to audition to begin with. And they would have had to know about Michelle Young, and her business from what that awful magazine Star said. Due to the fact that you must send in written and signed by all parties that you are no longer in contracts. Therefore This all should have and probably was brought up. Or they were just stringing this poor girl along for the ride and last minute said sorry we cant let you go on. For what Good TV??? I am sorry it is now sh*$t TV and I refuse to watch American IDOL. In this situation, Idol was wrong. Last year Carly smithson Knew Randy and had worked with him in the past! And he is one of the judges of the show!!!!!!!!!!!!! But she was not disqualified!?!?!!?!?!?!?!? Maybe Ms. Pacitti should have tried another way of getting her career on the right track, BUT in no way shape or form does she deserve this!

[Rocco]

Your beloved 'greatest show ever' is going to hell in a handbasket. How will you survive when it's over? Truly pathetic excuse for journalism.

[kami]

That's absurd! She is a great talent. Her relationship is her business and not anybody elses. The judjes chose her for her talents and not who she knows.She has been in this business for too long not to know others.

[luvsclassacts]

This was way overdue. Joanna has had too many opportunities and hasn't capitalized on them. She forgot lyrics all week during Hollywood week. Does that sound like someone who should be competing on Idol? Between her previous album deal, her ties to executives and her slight connection to judge Kara Dio Guardi, she was just too connected. She should not have been allowed to audition. Once these connections became obvious she should have recused herself for conflict of interest. But clearly she was so desperate for this chance she threw ethics, fairness and good sportsmanship out the window in a quest to promote her own self interest.

Its about time Idol removed her before they lost all credibility.

[furrymurry]

Maybe she had a private, sexual relationship with a producer, which would go above and beyond a casual working relationship. Get off your "I will never watch IDOL again horses". You know you will tune in again at the first possible moment. Sheesh.

[Mich]

This was way overdue. Joanna was entirely too connected to the business to be allowed on this show. A former record deal? 4 soundtracks? And she still needs Idol? Obviously the girl doesn't have what it takes to make it in such a horribly competitve industry. Nothing to be ashamed of-I know I couldn't make it and so no one should be deemed a loser if they try and fail. But Idol is about first chances-she's had lots. When it came out that she had ties to the production company executives and a slight connection to Kara DioGuardi she should have recused herself. But she is so desperate for fame she didn't, not caring how she or the show looked. She put her own quest for fame above self respect, fair play and integrity. Apparently she is lacking all of them.

Idol finally purged themselves of her, and now the show might regain a tiny bit of respect.

[Tara]

That list of names in blue is only 17 girls. Kristin McNamara seems to be missing.

[Betty]

I agree with the fact that research should have done on Joanna before allowing her to go as far as she did but I agree with this decision. Personally, I really don't feel she's that good.

[joezee202]

The reality is that American Idol is a television show in search of ratings. First, they add Nick/Norman over Jamar from Milwaukee and Tatiana over a number of other more talented singers. This show is a joke. It is not about finding the best singer/star out there.

[Maia]

Joanna Pacitti didn't deserve another chance. First she won the Macy's Annie competition when she was 12 but when she was booted her parents sued Macy's in a very publicized lawsuit. Then she had a record contract AND an album that went nowhere. American Idol should be about finding UNKNOWN talent, not someone who has had so many chances. They'd better watch out as her parents may encourage her to sue again!

[the legend JJ]

felicia barton will not let anyone down i have heard her sing in person multiple times. she is amazing and probably one of the most talented people on season 8. just wait for show to start and it will become very clear that fox made a good choice by giving pacitti the boot. felicia will rock your socks just wait.

[inmypjs]

What the hell? AI producers knew that they cannot hide her connections. It will eventually come out. They took her as far as they could only to boot her out. This was a calculated move to create controversy and increase ratings. C'mon people we're not stupid. Poor Joanna, they strung her in. She should sue.

As for Felcia Barton, was she one of the girls who did a sing-off because the judges couldn't decide if they should let her in or not? Because that sing-off would be lame if it was done just to create more drama. It's something that they should have done from the beginning, else it becomes fake...and it's cruel to the contestants too.

[Vicki]

They had already known she had a record contract puhlease! Heck, even one of the judges recognized her. She has talent but AI should be for the ones who wouldn't otherwise be able to get a record contract. I thought that was what it was all about. But I'll keep watching.

[TRACY N THRASHER]

yea she may have connections in show bizz, but in this contest america decides, so i say let her sing............

[CD]

She DOESN'T have talent. She's been given several chances and if you listen to her album she stinks. I wish they would have made this epiphany early on but they didn't so it is what it is. But she does NOT belong in the competition.

[froglegs]

Poor Joanna has faced a lot of rejection in her 23 years. She was never on Broadway...she got fired 2 weeks before "Annie" was starting in NYC. She did get to go on tour as the lead, though. Yes, she had a record deal. Whatever. I liked her. I hope she gets her break soon. She does deserve it. Keep your head up, girl...you have a lot of talent and what it takes. Keep smiling!!!!!

[Rebecca]

Just another obvious sign that this show is rigged! It is not even worth watching anymore!

[friendstar]

I am glad she is off the show. I was not into her anyway. I was not into her replacement either. I would rather watch Norman Gentle and the personality disorders. At least they remembered their lyrics. Pacitti had her chances. Stpe aside and give this lottery ticket to somebody who has not had a shot.

[joi]

Joanna had her chance in the music industry and for whatever reason it didn't work out. Besides she kept screwing up especially her last performance in hollywood. There's no excuse for someone who knows the biz. It's not fair to others who can sing just as well and not screw up. I am trying to be objective here. I have nothing against her. She is pretty and talented but it just isn't fair to other people who have the same dream.

Also I don't see why Felicia was chosen to replace her and not someone from one of the sing-offs. I wouldn't mind if she was replacing Tatiana. She's incredibly annoying on sooo many levels.

[Judge]

Hey! Don't dis Norman Gentle!!
Nick Mitchell is one of the most talented PERFORMERS that the show has ever seen.

[lyricalsoul]

Why should anyone feel sorry for Joanna Pacitti? This is a woman who has had plenty of opportunities, far more than most, and has squandered them all. At some point, the real question has to be why? There are only so many times a person can blame their repeated failures on everyone else. Maybe once, even twice but then it becomes embarrassing.She has had two record deals. Songs on at least three different soundtracks. Toured with Sheryl Crow. Appeared in an MTV documentary. Yet, she still felt it was fair to appear on AI? She is a failed professional pure and simple. And she should have known that as such, she didn't belong. Then to find out she has both a past and present connection to the new judge Kara. And NOW, the public finds out she has very close ties to TWO important people who are actually associated with the show. And none of this struck Joanna as somehow improper? Where is her integrity? Admitting to a record deal in the past during the audition was NOT being completely honest was it? Why would she ever think she had any right to be on that show in the first place? And the constant refrain that she should be "allowed" to be on AI because of all her so called bad breaks is ridiculous. If she wants to sing so badly, what she needs to do is go out and WORK for it. EARN another record deal. Play gigs, sing back up, do what she needs to. Trying to get yet another record deal the easy way on AI is obnoxious! Even a legendary singer like Luther Vandross made a living as a back up singer before he hit big.Why isn't she doing that? No one said she shouldn't pursue her musical career. It is just the way she is doing it which offends alot of people. I wish one of her defenders would just answer the question why she is above working for her dreams and thinks it is ok to enter a contest she is clearly not eligible for and advances at the expense of worthier and more honest contestants? Please answer that!

[Mike]

If you know Felicia Barton as I do, she is HIGHLY talented. I can't believe she didn't breeze thru. You should listen to her homemade cd, it sounds like a seasoned professional.

[asd]

"I will never watch IDOL again --- horses".

[MLH]

I think the producers already knew all this info..so why did they wait until last minute to disqualify her? STUPID and WRONG! Poor gal waits all day, finally makes it, then ends up getting disqualified!