Photo by Ari Michelson

The details remain sketchy, but Mayfair-native Joanna Pacitti was booted off American Idol after the 23-year-old made it to the semifinals on Tuesday.

Dubbed “the Ringer” because of past, professional music-industry work, the latest news suggests Pacitti got the pink-slip because of past professional relationships with executives involved with the Idol show.

It seems Pacitti might be just fine with the publicity without the burden of winning Idol, though. From a July 2006 issue of Philadelphia magazine:

Asked if she resents that TV turns wannabes into stars in five months’ time, Pacitti says, “It’s handed to people way too easily. I’d rather have my experience than overnight success.” Despite her major-label record and high-profile pals like Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas, not everyone understands that in her mind, she’s arrived: “My family said, ‘You should go on American Idol!’”

Read that July2006 article chronicling Pacitti’s already then-growing career.

Photo courtesy of Philadelphia magazine.