Nigel Lythgoe, American Idol producer, commented on the Antonella Barba situation this week:

"Without question, any competition like this is part popularity contest," Lythgoe told Extra correspondent (and Simon Cowell girlfriend) Terri Seymour.

"It won't effect anything, Antonella is about her looks and her talent and that's the only thing that will effect her journey on American Idol," Lythgoe added in a second interview broadcast on Tuesday evening's Inside Edition.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.