'Idol' Producer OKs David Hernandez's Stripper Past - News Story | Music, Celebrity, Artist News | MTV News

"The good news for David Hernandez is that his spot on 'American Idol' is not in jeopardy because of his now-highly publicized past as a nude male stripper. First, on Tuesday night, judge Simon Cowell said the 24-year-old Arizona singer was one of the best in the competition and that he's a shoo-in for the top 12. Then, also on Tuesday, one of the show's executive producers, Ken Warwick, spoke to TVGuide.com and said Hernandez can stay as long as viewers want him.
Warwick said Hernandez's past as an employee at the Phoenix male strip club Dick's Cabaret — where he reportedly gave lap dances and performed fully nude for the club's 'mostly gay' clientele until at least August — would not make 'any difference' on whether or not he stays on the show. 'The truth is, we're never judgmental about what people do to earn a living,' Warwick told the Web site. '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. ... If it were some sort of heavy porn, then maybe we'd have to take action. But certainly not on this.'"