‘American Idol’ To Blame For Antonella Barba’s Federal Drug Bust, Mom Claims
Nov. 19 2019, Published 2:05 p.m. ET
Former American Idol contestant Antonella Barba is currently facing over five years behind bars for possessing narcotics – and now the singer’s mom claims the show is to blame, RadarOnline.com has learned.
According to shocking new court documents filed on November 14, the 32-year-old’s mother claimed it was Barba’s short stint on the hit competition show in 2007 that led to her drug bust in 2018.
In letters of support in Barba’s attorney’s recent filing, her mother argued “the world intruded and interrupted her dream of a career in architecture.”
Barba’s mother added that her joining the show was “where it all went wrong.”
The ex-contestant’s attorney also included letters from other supporters, who claimed Barba’s “sudden move to Hollywood” was a “recipe for disaster.”
One supporter with the initials K.J. argued that it was “devastating” to Barba when she did not “achieve the results she wanted” on the show.
As RadarOnline.com readers recall, the 2007 television competitor was arrested for allegedly trying to distribute heroin in Norfolk County, Virginia last year. But on February 6, 2019, Barba was named in a superseding indictment charging her with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine, one kilogram or more of heroin, and 400 grams or more of fentanyl. She was also charged in the indictment with possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
On July 30, Barba pleaded guilty to possessing with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl.
Barba was initially ordered to home detention with her father, Vincenzo Barba. However, court documents confirmed that Barba’s dad “wished to resign from his role as third party custodian” in September. The court then ordered that Barba be detained until trial.
According to her mother, Barba was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, anxiety disorder and narcissistic personality disorder in 2018.
In the November 14 filing, Barba’s attorney argued that her role in her offense was “that of a delivery person,” adding that her criminal actions were “limited" and "brief.” Her attorney also pushed for her possible 71-month maximum sentence to be reduced.
However, the court fired a response on behalf of Barba’s filing, claiming that “flying across the country, renting a car, receiving a shoebox full of drugs and transporting said drugs approximately 190 miles to Norfolk was both material and essential to the commission of the offense.”
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Barba’s next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 21.
