PHOENIX, AZ  --  "American Idol" finalist David Hernandez used to work as a stripper at a male strip club in Phoenix, Arizona, appearing fully nude and performing lap dances for the club's "mostly male" clientele.

The 24-year-old finalist from Glendale, Ariz., once worked as a stripper at Dick's Cabaret, club manager Gordy Bryan said Monday.

"He had the look and the type that people like, so he made pretty good money here," Bryan said to AP.

According to Bryan, Hernandez steadily worked at the club for three years until September 30, 2007.

It's not clear whether a history as a stripper could disqualify Hernandez from the competition. In 2003, finalist Frenchie Davis was dismissed because of her appearance on an adult Web site; but last year, Antonella Barba remained in the competition after racy photos of her surfaced on the Internet.

Let's hope the show's execs choose to focus on David's talent rather than on his past.

And, BTW, rumors also has it that David has a steady boyfriend of 2-3 years.

Update: David Hernandez won't be stripped of his chance to compete on "American Idol.

"We've had strippers on the show before. We're never judgmental about people who do things like that," Idol executive producer Ken Warwick tells TV Guide. "If it were some sort of heavy porn, then maybe we'd have to take action. But certainly not on this."

Last update: 03-04-2008 18:35

Posted by dancemom, on 03-04-2008 13:36, 1. you go boy! Does this make David a Triple Threat?   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by Randy117, on 03-10-2008 00:50, 2. Stripper and singer too. OMG. What is this world coming too. Oh,to be 24 again. I remember when (1969) you danced behind black curtains...in the Village.Yea, I WAS at Stonewall! How times have changed. Peace.   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by channelando, on 03-12-2008 22:47, 3. mr cool man... both stripper & singer are also a career and their main job is entertaining public. It's a legal job. Why not??? Just keep it on... we always support you...   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by David, on 03-18-2008 02:48, 4. looking for? David is so freak hot. do anyone have pictures of him with less clothing or a vidoe of him stripping?   » Report this comment to administrator Posted by ME, on 03-19-2008 23:05, 5. Say What?? Its a DAMN good thing I live near Phoenix....lol   » Report this comment to administrator