Randy Jackson said he judges the vocal ability of American Idol hopefuls, not their pasts -- a distinction that had to be made due to seventh-season finalist David Hernandez's previous employment as a male stripper.

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"It's a singing competition," said Jackson on Monday's broadcast of ABC's The View.  "If you look at the entertainment business, there's a lot of stars in a lot of different scenarios."

The 24-year-old from Glendale, AZ worked for three years as a male stripper at Dick's Cabaret, where he appeared fully nude and performed lap dances for the establishment's "mostly male" patrons.   Idol executive producer Ken Warwick has stated Hernandez would remain in the competition because his past "won't make a difference."

The View co-host Joy Behar likened Hernandez's situation to that of second-season Idol semifinalist Frenchie Davis -- whose past did make a difference when she was disqualified over nude pictures she posed for at the age of 18, in which she simulated solitary sexual activity for a kiddie-porn website.

"It was a little bit different," Idol judge Paula Abdul told Behar.

"I think the circumstances were quite a bit different," added Jackson.

Not surprisingly, Simon Cowell was the only Idol judge to not participate in the interview and Abdul made some jokes at his expense.

"Simon represents the ugliness and harsh reality of how hard it is to make it in the business," said Abdul.  "He would poop in his own pants if he had to face himself."

In all seriousness, Abdul said she takes exception with some of Cowell's more dream-crushing comments to Idol contestants.

"But just the human spirit and the psyche of an entertainer -- of an artist -- will never be receptive if you knock them down hard," she explained.  "Then you have to try to say something that might be lighter or constructive... They won't hear it."

However one thing the contestants probably heard clearly was Cowell's attempt to get Abdul to mention Hernandez's past following his performance on last week's Top 8 male semifinalists performance show.

"[His past didn't matter] to us -- except for Simon, whose microphone was open after [Hernandez performed and] you could hear him saying 'Paula, ask him to strip for you," Abdul joked.  "The whole world heard it!"

Abdul also took the opportunity to debunk rumors that she'll participate in this summer's American Idol tour due to her new single "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow," which currently sits at No. 25 on Billboard's Hot Digital Songs sales chart.

"Somehow that rumor got started.  It's a rumor," she said.  "If any season if I ever wanted to make a guest appearance -- it would be this season.  This season is completely phenomenal."

Jackson produced "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" -- the first single released from Jackson's upcoming album "Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol. 1," which is scheduled to drop tomorrow.  Abdul's last single -- "Crazy Cool" -- was released in 1995.

"It had to be the right song and a dance anthem for all the cheerleaders and all the dancers out there that I've taught all these years," said Abdul on her comeback.  "It's the perfect song for them, and that's the only way I would have done it."


About The Author: Christopher Rocchio

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