Just hung up from a conference call with David Hernandez, formerly of "American Idol" and he was pretty even-keeled for someone who less than 24 hours earlier had been booted off the show: "I was genuinely shocked," he said. "I really didn't think that I'd be going home. Based on all the things the judges have said about my vocals, I thought I'd be in the bottom three. I didn't feel that I deserved to go home...I was definitely shocvked. [But] there are probably a lot of doors that will be opening with this one closing."

He was upbeat and focused on his future, mentioning oh about 25 times that he's "looking for a major record deal and hopefully have a record out within a year." He also brought up being on Broadway several times.

This dude knows how to stay on message!

David told us that he did not think that the media storm last week following the news that he had worked for three years as a stripper in a gay club was the reason why his journey on the show came to an end:
"I actually believe it was based on song selection. I think America is smart enough to know that people's personal lives should not infuence your career. It's been a roller coaster. Through all the madness and chaos, I think I've gained a deeper respect for myself and a newfound confidence as a performer."

Last week, all of his fellow contestants huddled around David and surrounded him with a group hug: "It's like a family," he said. Fellow contestants echoed some advice that David got from Jim Carrey over the weekend at the premiere of Carrey's film "Horton Hearts a Who!"
"He said, 'Stay off the TV, don't get on the Internet.' He's awesome."

Even though it was his performance this week that got him sent home, I asked David about last week. It was then that he was in the middle of the media storm and yet walked out on the stage and gave one of the best performances of the night. I wanted to know hoiw he was able to pull that off since I could barely breathe as he walked out to do his song.

"I think adversity is my best friend," he said. "It's something that inspires me and makes me work harder. I don't have anything to say to the people who tried to count me out...you have to have a thick skin."

He's one cool customer.

David said "Idol" producers were well aware of his past employment: "If they weren't comfortable with it, I wouldn't have been on the show."

I'll have much more from David in a bit. I've got to interview Steven Guttenberg.