'American Idol' Season 6 Standout Antonella Barba Allegedly Smuggled 2 lbs. of Fentanyl for Drug Ring

Photo: Norfolk Sheriff’s Office According to newly unsealed court documents, Antonella Barba — a singer who made it to the top 16 on the sixth season ofAmerican Idolin 2007 — was allegedly acting as a courier for a major drug ringwhen Virginia authorities arrested her nearly four months agowith two pounds of fentanyl. Barba, 32, was indicted last week on 11 federal charges, including one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl with the intent to distribute and 10 counts of distribution or possession of cocaine, heroin and fentanyl with the intent to distribute.

'American Idol' Season 6 Standout Antonella Barba Arrested for Allegedly Distributing Heroin

Photo: Norfolk Sheriff’s Office A singer who made it to the top 16 on the sixth season ofAmerican Idolwas arrested last week in Virginia for her alleged role distributing heroin, PEOPLE confirms. Online jail records confirmAntonella Barbaremains in police custody following her arrest Thursday morning in Norfolk for allegedly selling or intending to sell 100 grams or more of heroin. Barba, who now lives in Los Angeles, is scheduled to appear before a judge on Monday to enter a plea.

'American Idol' Season 6 Standout Antonella Barba Faces Minimum 10-Year Sentence Over Fentanyl Arrest

Photo: Norfolk Sheriff’s Office Antonella Barba, a singer who made it to the top 16 on the sixth season ofAmerican Idolin 2007, faces a minimum of 10 years behind prison bars following her courtroom admission Tuesday she tried delivering nearly two pounds of fentanyl to a stash house in Virginia back in October. Federal prosecutors say a judge could decide to send Barba, 32, to prison for life at her sentencing hearing in late November, but noted in a statement that “actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties.

'American Idol' Winner Iam Tongi and James Blunt's Duet of 'Monsters' Brings Katy Perry, Jelly Roll to Tears

Newly crownedAmerican Idolwinner Iam Tongihas made it a point to pay tribute to his late father Rodney during his time on the show — and on Sunday night’s finale, he did so with the help ofJames Blunt.Tongi, 18, auditioned forIdolwith Blunt’s song “Monsters,” and just before he was named the winner, Tongi teamed up with the British singer for an emotional duet of the 2019 track.The performance made judgeKaty Perryand country starJelly Rollcry, and Tongi also had to fight back tears as he sang.

'American Idol' Winner Iam Tongi Apologizes for Not Removing Hat While Singing National Anthem at Home Run Derby

Iam Tongi performs in Seattle on July 10, 2023.Photo:Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Just a few months afterwinning season 21 ofAmerican Idol, it’s understandable thatIam Tongifeels nervous performing for large crowds. “First try at singing the National Anthem. So nervous that it was in front of such a huge crowd. And apologize for being so nervous and forgot to take off the hat,” the 18-year-old singer wrote in the description of the performance videoon YouTube.