joanna pacitti disqualified!

Joanna Pacitti, the "American Idol" contender who attracted public scrutiny for her professional past, has been disqualified from the show's Top 36. She'll be replaced by Felicia Barton.

In a statement on AI's official Web site, producers write, "It has been determined that Joanna Pacitti is ineligible to continue in the competition. Felicia Barton has replaced Ms. Pacitti as part of the Top 36."

Pacitti had a former record deal, and recorded songs for soundtracks to movies like "Legally Blond." Britney Spears also covered one of her songs.

The real clincher, though, seems to be Pacitti's dubious ties with 19 Entertainment, the company that produces AI. Get more on Pacitti's past in this Billboard article.

We don't know much about Felicia Barton at this point -- she was featured only briefly Wednesday -- but I'm sure more details will come up throughout the day.

Stay tuned, and check back often.

This story was originally published February 12, 2009 at 11:06 AM.