Joanna Pacitti was one of the people that had people questioning how much previous experience a contestant could have and still be eligible for American Idol. Then last week after she progressed to the semi-finals, we got the shocking news that she had been kicked off disqualified from the show. No answer was given at the time- only speculation that she was best friends with two executives. Now, Ryan Seacrest has revealed those allegations were true.

“The producers do the background checks right around [the] Hollywood [Week round]. When they see something that stands out, they have to address it,” Seacrest told Fox News while attending the Thursday night opening of the new American Idol Experience�attraction at Walt�Disney World.

“And they saw something, and there was apparently some sort of a link that, somewhere along the line, could be construed as one that’s close to the competition, and they didn’t want to risk it,” he added. “It’s a sad thing to have to tell a contestant they can’t compete,” Seacrest said, according to Fox News. “But we have to play by our rules.”

Someone with that much experience in the business is bound to know people around the show, but I can’t believe it took them so long to figure it out.

[image: WENN]

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