American Idol Producer Comments on David Hernandez' Stripper Past

As you've undoubtedly heard at this point, American Idol contestant used to be a stripper. In a gay bar.

So whaaaaaat? (That's what I say, anyways) Please, there's been strippers on this show since day one! (Remember Nikki McKibbin)

Apparently it is very newsworthy, however, as even CNN reported on it today. There has been lots of (ridiculous, in my opinion) discussion about whether or not he should be allowed to stay on the show. TVGuide.com went straight to Idol producer Ken Warwick to talk about the issue, and here is what he had to say:


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.

TVGuide.com: Have you seen him since the news broke?
Warwick: I haven't actually seen him today but I'm not worried about it. The thing is, at the end, the public will make the decision anyway. If there's a stretch of the public that thinks, "Oh, dear, he was a male stripper, so I'm not going to vote for him," then that's the luck of the draw. If the public doesn't like him, then they'll get rid of him.

What do you you think? Does it impact the way you view him? Sound off below.