Antonella leaves, and Haley's legs arrive

Simon Cowell loves to reiterate that American Idol is a singing contest. Riiiight. That’s why Sanjaya Malakar is still around, and why Haley Scarnato survived about a month longer than she should have until last week’s exit. While reviewing Haley’s performance photos during the past eight weeks, we made an interesting observation about the timing of her decision to show some leg (OK, a LOT of leg!). After sex kitten Antonella Barba was booted from the show, Haley (sex kitten first runner-up) assumed the role . . . and took her hemline to new heights.

Gary T. Mills/The Times-Union