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Another 'Idol' Star Touched by Scandal
Trenyce, one of the finalists remaining on FOX's hit talent search, was busted in October 1999 on a felony theft charge.
Originally posted Friday March 28, 2003 08:35 AM EST
The scandal sheet keeps growing for the contestants of "American Idol."
First, Frenchie Davis was booted from FOX's hit talent search when old topless photos surfaced on the Web. Then "Idol" finalist Jaered Andrews (who was kicked off the show in January) was arrested for his participation in a barroom brawl that ended in a death.
Now, it seems that finalist Trenyce (aka Lashundra Cobbins), 22, who performed the song "I Need You" on this week's show, has an arrest record of her own. The unemployed diva-wannabe from Memphis was busted in October 1999 on a felony theft charge, according to a report published by the Smoking Gun Web site.
With such tight screening of candidates, it makes you glad that FOX isn't in charge of airport security. But the producers insist that Trenyce, who spent a year in a Shelby County Criminal Court pre-trial diversion program, was up front about her record, which was wiped clean by the judge for good behavior.
"It was a minor matter that Trenyce was honest about from the beginning," said "Idol" co-executive producer Nigel Lythgoe in a statement. "After looking into it, we felt it warranted no concern regarding her participation in the show."
Of course, scandal -- and even getting tossed from the show -- hasn't hurt every candidate's chance for success. After wowing the audience with her first performance on "Idol," charismatic Frenchie Davis was quietly dismissed from competition after topless photos of her surfaced on a porn site. Since then, the plus-sized diva has signed a management deal with "Idol"'s producers, trolled the red carpet at the Grammys for "Entertainment Tonight," and is currently in talks with record labels.
Contestant Jaered Andrews is not so lucky. The former semifinalist from Ohio was out celebrating his "Idol" nomination in Farrell, Pa., last November when a fight erupted with 39-year-old Thomas Blakeley. The 24-year-old singer, who remains free on $5,000 bail, told police he struck Blakeley, who then fell, hit his head on the sidewalk and died.
Andrews, who is expected to be arraigned in the new few months, faces up to a year in prison if convicted of assault.
First, Frenchie Davis was booted from FOX's hit talent search when old topless photos surfaced on the Web. Then "Idol" finalist Jaered Andrews (who was kicked off the show in January) was arrested for his participation in a barroom brawl that ended in a death.
Now, it seems that finalist Trenyce (aka Lashundra Cobbins), 22, who performed the song "I Need You" on this week's show, has an arrest record of her own. The unemployed diva-wannabe from Memphis was busted in October 1999 on a felony theft charge, according to a report published by the Smoking Gun Web site.
With such tight screening of candidates, it makes you glad that FOX isn't in charge of airport security. But the producers insist that Trenyce, who spent a year in a Shelby County Criminal Court pre-trial diversion program, was up front about her record, which was wiped clean by the judge for good behavior.
"It was a minor matter that Trenyce was honest about from the beginning," said "Idol" co-executive producer Nigel Lythgoe in a statement. "After looking into it, we felt it warranted no concern regarding her participation in the show."
Of course, scandal -- and even getting tossed from the show -- hasn't hurt every candidate's chance for success. After wowing the audience with her first performance on "Idol," charismatic Frenchie Davis was quietly dismissed from competition after topless photos of her surfaced on a porn site. Since then, the plus-sized diva has signed a management deal with "Idol"'s producers, trolled the red carpet at the Grammys for "Entertainment Tonight," and is currently in talks with record labels.
Contestant Jaered Andrews is not so lucky. The former semifinalist from Ohio was out celebrating his "Idol" nomination in Farrell, Pa., last November when a fight erupted with 39-year-old Thomas Blakeley. The 24-year-old singer, who remains free on $5,000 bail, told police he struck Blakeley, who then fell, hit his head on the sidewalk and died.
Andrews, who is expected to be arraigned in the new few months, faces up to a year in prison if convicted of assault.
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