Did American Idol's Antonella Barba Post Her Own Racy Pics?

Each season that America tunes in to choose its next "Idol," there is usually some kind of scandal hovering over one or more of the contestants. This season, the name floating on the airwaves and buzzing in internet blogs is Antonella Barba. The 20-year old New Jersey native impressed first the judges, and then viewers with her small, yet soulful voice. But as the competition began to wear on, America saw a few cracks in the aloof contestant's armor. And soon after that, the "scandal" broke loose.

NATURE OF THE THEORY

Something very interesting happens when celebrities fall from grace: they become more popular. It is the nature of the beast to direct one's attention to that which repulses, excites, tantalizes, or provokes shame. In the case of Antonella Barba, the young singer most recently voted out of a chance to be in the Top 12, this rule particularly applies.

Though more explicit photos of Ms. Barba were discovered to be that of a "look-alike" adult film star, the less sinful pics caused enough of a stir that American Idol viewers wondered whether their existence spelled the death of a rising pop star. This assumption came on the heels of another ousted Idol, Frenchie Davis, who was released from the show upon the discovery of her image on an adult website. As a matter of fact, American Idol's decision to allow Barba to ride things out has sparked national controversy with the debate over whether Davis' dismissal was tinged with discrimination. That being said, the more the public talks about Antonella Barba, the more popular she seems to become. (After all, you are reading THIS article aren't you?)

PRE-MEDITATED SCANDAL?

For all intents and purposes, the photos of Antonella Barba are not really that shocking when compared to the videotaped exploits of today's Hollywood starlets. But in light of Barba's ultimately weak vocal abilities, it seems a tremendous coincidence that the photos were released right as the pressure on Barba to perform well intensified. In fact, it would not be too terribly surprising if in fact, Barba and her team of supporters planned the entire debacle from beginning to end. Here are a few conditions which may support that theory:

1) Antonella Barba claims not to know who posted the photos. However, this seems rather odd. In the pictures, she is shown with a few young ladies. But there are quite a few poses that Antonella strikes on her own. That being said, surely she must know who took the photographs, as they are not "candid" shots in any way.

The photos look, for all intents and purposes, rather professional for them to be considered simple fun-loving photos. For instance, the photo where Barba is seen arranged nude amongst rose petals (ala film "American Beauty") appears to be staged rather nicely. In essence, it seems the entire collection of photos was taken for the sole purpose of marketing Barba in some fashion or another. So, her denial of the identity of the culprit seems far less credible than someone who's been caught with her pants down (pun intended.)

2) Antonella Barba seems to be taking it all in stride. Simon Cowell himself defended Barba, indicating that she had "taken a lot of stick in the media." Barba, upon hearing this appeared to hardly blink. The trepidation seen on her countenance as she faced the judges was more than likely directly related to her poor performance; she realized that she had ultimately blown her last opportunity to make it into the Top 12 with minimal talent.

When questioned in interviews, she seems to take all the attention in stride-perhaps a little too well for someone who is supposed to be facing public humiliation. Quite frankly, if the photos were never meant to get into the "wrong" hands, she would never have posed for them.

3) Antonella Barba expected to be eliminated. It is unlikely to be a coincidence that the photographs were unleashed right as the Idol star began to lose her shine. Perhaps during the first round of eliminations is when Barba first began feeling the heat. With the mass exodus of hopefuls who didn't make the cut (including her best friend who also auditioned and made it to Hollywood), Antonella realized that she had better start lining up some things to fall back on.

Knowing that a racy scandal would do nothing but bring attention to her marginally good looks, she prepared for the "backlash" that she was certain would follow. And correct she was. Her name has probably been "Googled" as much as Anna Nicole Smith or Britney Spears in the past month alone. Submitting photos that she knew were tasteful enough to be perused by "legitimate" publications was the insurance policy she needed to keep her in Los Angeles long after she sang her last tune on American Idol---which leads me to #4.

4) Antonella Barba is remaining in L.A. to sort through potential offers. The offers have already come rolling in. "Girls Gone Wild" has offered her a quarter of a million dollars to become their newest spokesperson. Another "adult" publication has doubled that offer.

Suffice it to say, Barba knew that the reliable world of sleaze would come knocking on her door; the concept of the Fallen Idol is simply too irresistible not to capitalize from. Most people moving to L.A. to make it big usually roll the dice hoping the numbers equate to a career in modeling, acting, or singing. In this case, Antonella has admitted that at this point, she'll essentially take anything she can get.

These theories could be considered far-fetched. But in the crazy world of Hollywood, stranger things have happened. It is entirely feasible that Barba and her network of supporters have developed a foolproof plan to keep their star in the spotlight. (Her parents have even shrugged off the entire incident.) For the release of the pictures to be considered an embarrassment, they certainly do seem like they were designed for public viewing.