American Idol Season 8 is gearing up for its last 36 contestants, but before that could happen pick up one semi-finalist of the top-rated show was disqualified. In the press release that was issued to announce the 36 contenders, the station said that Joanna Pacitti was ineligible to continue. The station gave no reason for the disqualification. With Joanna Pacitti out, Felicia Barton of Virginia Beach, Va replaced Pacitti in the top 36. The announcement of the semi-finalists was made Wednesday night and the show later released an update saying that Pacitti is out and Barton is in. Barton is a 26-year old married mom.

In Tuesday night’s performance, a number of contestants forgot their lyrics and still made is thru the next round. Pacitti auditioned in Lousiville and she entered the show with showbiz resume. It was said that she had a record deal with Geffen and has already released an album in 2006. According to Billboard, her album sold more than 16,000 copies. In fact, American Idol judge Kara DioGuardi recognized the hopeful when she auditioned for a place in American Idol. She also acted on Broadway as part of the show ‘Annie’ and she also sang for the soundtrack of two films, ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘Bratz’. The song by Britney Spears, ‘Out from Under’ was first performed by Pacitti on the Bratz soundtrack. This list of experiences of Pacitti gained negative comments from the viewers of the said show and added that the ‘hopeful’ was too polished for the top-rated show.

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