Fox have announced that singer, Joanna Pacitti has been disqualified from the current series of American Idol.

Billboard reports that in a statement the network said that the 24-year-old was considered to be “ineligible to continue in the competition”.

The show has previously been criticised for allowing Pacitti to audition, many claiming that rules had been broken. Before auditioning for the show Joanna Pacitti has starred on Broadway, recorded an album for Geffen records and has dated a former professional winner of “Dancing With the Stars. She has appeared on the soundtrack for “Legally Blonde,” and she sang “Out From Under” from the “Bratz” movie. The track was later re-recorded by Britney Spears on her new CD, “Circus.”

Pacitti is also said to have previously worked with a number of staff from 19 Entertainment, the production company behind Idol. Star magazine reported that she referred to the company’s Michelle Young as her “manager” and “best friend”. She is also said to have credited 19′s Roger Widynowski with “helping me get where I am today”.

26-year-old Felicia Barton has taken Pacitti’s place in the top 36.