Michael Lynche has reportedly been cut from the final 24 American Idol contestants, after his dad gave an interview to a local newspaper.

Michael made it through the Orlando round of auditions and on past the Hollywood stage, but his dad told The St. Petersburg Times, that he had made the top 24, violating AI rules.

If Lynche’s disqualification is true, it is the second year running that a finalist has been cut from the lineup. Last year, Joanna Pacitti, was sent off after making the top 36 when producers said it had been determined that she “is ineligible to continue in the competition.” She was then replaced by Felicia Barton.