Idol Castoffs Talk About Antonella Barba

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Booted 'Idol' Hopeful On Antonella Barba's Sexy Photos: 'Get Over It'
'It doesn't excite me that she has pictures like that,' Leslie Hunt says when we catch up with this week's castoffs.

One thing was clear after the latest "American Idol" eliminations: America is not that into Nina Simone.

During the first truly controversial week of the season — thanks to those Antonella Barba pictures spreading across the Internet (see "Sexy Pictures Won't Get Barba Booted From 'Idol' — But Wednesday Night's Song Could") — two of the four singers eliminated sang Simone's "Feeling Good." Another sang a jazz standard, and the fourth took on the Dixie Chicks and, well, we know how Middle America feels about them.

We caught up with the four castoffs to talk regrets, future plans and those racy photos.

AJ Tabaldo
After auditioning for "Idol" five seasons in a row, the 22-year-old from Santa Maria, California, finally made the semifinals, where he became a judge favorite. Voters, however, felt differently.

Q: Were the guys talking about what happened with Antonella?

A: There's some sleazy people out there doing sleazy things and I feel bad for her, but she's beautiful and she's going to do well. But we tried to stay away from it.

Leslie Hunt
The 24-year-old Chicago native.

Q: Was it hard to see Antonella get through?

A: There's certain hype that comes with her, and that's not really something I understand. It doesn't excite me that she has pictures like that. I mean, who doesn't? Whatever, get over it. But I knew getting into this that it wasn't just about singing.

Alaina Alexander
After her rendition of the Dixie Chicks' Grammy-sweeping "Not Ready to Make Nice" got her eliminated, the 24-year-old singer/songwriter from West Hollywood, California, became the first "Idol" semifinalist in history to fully break down during her exit performance.

Q: Were you ever nervous that private pictures of you might hit the Web?

A: No, I wasn't worried. It's unfortunate when that happens, but you have to keep going. I didn't really pay attention to the Internet or newspaper so I could stay focused, but I overheard people talking about it. Antonella's strong and doing just fine and she'll pull through.

Nicholas Pedro
After bowing out in the Hollywood round last year, the 25-year-old from Taunton, Massachusetts, made the final 20 this time around. Unfortunately, his rendition of "Fever" didn't spread like, say, last year's McPheever.

Q: Some of the contestants (read Antonella)this season have been snapping back at the judges, but not you.

A: I wanted to always maintain my honor. I had to bite my tongue a little bit. Last week Simon said I was charming [and this week he said Nick needed to show more charisma]. I think charisma and charming go hand in hand. But I just wanted to take my bow and not get into it with anyone. More MTV...

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