Rosie O'Donnell is Persona Non Grata

The folks over at American Idol are none too pleased with Rosie O'Donnell these days. Last week, on The View, Rosie said that American Idol is racist and weightist, for letting prior season's Frenchie Davis go after pornographic pictures of her surfaced, but letting this season's Antonella Barba stay. Yet Rosie is forgetting one big difference - Frenchie was paid for her pictures. Antonella's were stolen off her computer.

American Idol executive producer Nigel Lythgoe issued a statement about Rosie's accusations of Idol's double standard:

"Without wishing to add to the obvious self-promotion of Ms. O'Donnell, I feel as though I must refute her absurd and ridiculous claims that American Idol is racist and/or weightist. Ms. O'Donnell has, once again, spoken without thought or knowledge. Viewers need only look at the show tonight to realize that American Idol constantly confirms to America that talent has nothing to do with weight or color."

Yesterday, on The View, Rosie said that AI producers will no longer supply the gabfest with clips from their recent episodes, because of her comments.

Last night, after Antonella performed, Simon Cowell gave her credit for the swirling media circus around her pictures. "I feel for you because you've taken a lot of stick in the media, and you've handled yourself well. I don't think anyone should be thrown into that situation. I just wish you could sing better."

Photo from AmericanIdol.com