Idol’s Antonella Barba can’t publicly speak about her sexy scandal, but that won’t stop her former castmates from opening up about the racy photos that have overshadowed this year’s competition.

Alaina Alexander and Leslie Hunt, both 24, were shown the door at last week’s results show. Now, with their gag orders lifted, they recently shed light on how Antonella is holding up.

“She is a trooper,” pal Alaina says. “Antonella’s strong and she’s going to be just fine.” She goes on to explain that American Idol contestants were asked to make the production team aware of any, um, skeletons in their closets prior to filming.

But, as we know, things don’t always go as planned.

“It’s unfortunate when that sort of thing happens,” Alaina says. “But you have to just keep on going and keep doing what you’re here to do, and that’s just to entertain and sing.”

Leslie, however, says she had a feeling personality would play a key role in winning viewer votes.

“I knew getting into this that it wasn’t just about singing. I did a little research about who [in previous seasons] was eliminated when and what their voices sounded like. There’s really no formula. If someone has a personality, sometimes that will take them way farther than a good voice,” she said.

Without naming names, Alaina also revealed that there are a few Idol hopefuls who turn to the Internet to get feedback on their performances. “There are some contestants [who] sneak and try to read [commentary],” she says. “They read all the negative [items] and it really affects their performance and how they feel about themselves.”

We don’t know if Antonella has been online lately, but Leslie says she steered clear of gossip during her weeks on the Idol stage.

“It doesn’t do anybody any favors,” she says. “Sometimes when you’re in the spotlight it’s just a good idea to turn a blind eye, to keep things in perspective.”

As far as Antonella’s prediciment goes, Leslie urges fans to “get over it.” After all, she says, “It’s a singing competition.”

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