American Idol Top 36 Contestant Disqualified Before Competition Even Starts

joanna-pacitti-2    American Idol contestant Joanna Pacitti, who advanced to the top 36 on last night’s episode of American Idol, has been disqualified, a show rep announced Thursday.

 
“It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition,” stated a Fox press release. It has been alleged that Pacitti had a close relationship with a pair of executives from 19 Entertainment, the company that produces American Idol.

 
Pacitti will be replaced by Felicia Barton. The 23-year-old Pacitti who belted Pat Benatar’s “We Belong” during her audition in Louisville, KY, moved to L.A. at 16 after signing a deal with A&M Records. She has also been featured on some soundtracks to Legally Blonde and First Daughter.