David Hernandez

Guide Note

David Hernandez was a Top 12 finalist on American Idol Season 7. He was eliminated on March 12, 2008, after his performance of "I Saw Her Standing There" during the first Beatles theme week.

Fast Facts

1. Full Name: David Anthony Hernandez
2. Born: May 31, 1983
3. Birthplace: Phoenix, Arizona
4. Audition City: San Diego
5. Cites Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Alicia Keys, Anthony Hamilton, Michael Jackson and Peabo Bryson as musical influences
6. Attended the University of Arizona
7. Started singing when he was six years old
8. Sang with a band called Vinyl Four in pre-Idol days
9. Strip club: Dick's Cabaret in Phoenix, Arizona
10. Eliminated March 12, 2008

Before appearing on Idol, Hernandez was part of a four member band called Vinyl Four. They performed on cruise ships. He's also performed with the Latin and R&B bands Tribet and Straight Up. He performed at Urban Network Events, a Martin Luther King Jr. Day parade and Arizona Idol, where he was a finalist.

Hernandez received his Golden Ticket to Los Angeles by singing the Temptations song "Ain't Too Proud to Beg." He was eliminated on March 12, 2008, after he performed the song "I Saw Her Standing There" the night before.

Controversy erupted in late February, 2008, when the owner of Dick's Cabaret revealed that Hernandez had worked as a male stripper for three years.

Since leaving Idol Hernandez has made many guest appearances on shows like The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Today, Access Hollywood, TRL and Idol Tonight. He even performed at The Children's Hospital of New York Presbyterian where he sang "Papa Was a Rolling Stone." Hernandez is currently working in the studio recording songs while waiting for a record deal. He hopes to have an album out by 2009.