'American Idol' Recap: David Hernandez Sent Packing, Perhaps Due To Strip-Club Scandal

MTV.com - USA - And then there were 11.

At the conclusion of Wednesday evening's "American Idol" results show, 24-year-old contender David Hernandez -- who'd been one of the competition's earliest frontrunners, along with adorable 17-year-old David Archuleta — was banished to the annals of "Idol" lore, in what was one of this season's first real shockers.

Hernandez, who hails from Glendale, Arizona, became this year's token sex scandal last week, when it was revealed he used to work at a male strip club. Reports claimed that Hernandez, in addition to dancing at the club, also provided lap dances to its customers.

"Honestly, things happen for a reason," Hernandez said after host Ryan Seacrest revealed the results of the 29 million votes. Hernandez himself was visibly surprised, even mouthing the word "wow" as he hugged Kristy Lee Cook, who'd just avoided elimination. "I think we all have a plan. This isn't it for me."

On Tuesday's performance show, when contestants were permitted to tackle Beatles tunes for the first time in "Idol" history, Hernandez performed "I Saw Her Standing There," which the judges characterized as "not strong enough." Of course, we may never know whether it was Hernandez's performance or the scandal that ultimately ended his "Idol" run.

As with previous contestants, who've seen aspects of their past come back to haunt them (see Frenchie Davis, Antonella Barba), Hernandez didn't survive the bad press beyond a second week, after being spared during last week's ouster.