'American Idol' Producer OKs David Hernandez's Stripper Past; Show Keeps Mum On Danny Noriega Video
'We're never judgmental about what people do to earn a living,' Ken Warwick says.
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."
Warwick said producers were not aware of Hernandez's past before the rumors of his previous gig began surfacing last week, and even if they had been, it wouldn't have mattered. "There are a lot of people I know who'd love to have the opportunity just to make a better living by taking their clothes off," he said. But Warwick said he does feel bad for the show contestants who are suddenly thrust in the spotlight only to see their past dug up and put on display for the world. "David Hernandez, whatever you say, is a nice guy. And he can sing. He's got a great voice. He deserves to be there, as far as I'm concerned," Warwick said.
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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."
Warwick said producers were not aware of Hernandez's past before the rumors of his previous gig began surfacing last week, and even if they had been, it wouldn't have mattered. "There are a lot of people I know who'd love to have the opportunity just to make a better living by taking their clothes off," he said. But Warwick said he does feel bad for the show contestants who are suddenly thrust in the spotlight only to see their past dug up and put on display for the world. "David Hernandez, whatever you say, is a nice guy. And he can sing. He's got a great voice. He deserves to be there, as far as I'm concerned," Warwick said.
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