Carly Smithson a.k.a Carly Hennessy

It wouldn't be another American Idol season without the usual "American Idol Scandal." So far, this season the latest "scandal" is that the Irish singer, Carly Smithson, who made the Idol cut two seasons ago, but couldn't continue due to work permit troubles, made it this year. But that's not the controversy, the thing is, Carly Smithson has already been discovered and has had an album produced and distributed with the MCA record label under her maiden name of Carly Hennessy. Apparently the album was a flop, so here she is under a different name trying pass herself off as an undiscovered amateur. She is a good singer, but other contestants in the show might feel it is unfair to have someone competing against them who has already had an opportunity to "make it" and didn't. No word yet if she will be allowed to continue, but it makes for some interesting watercooler discussions until the next American Idol contestant does something that catches the media's attention.